How Authors Use Hashtags on TikTok: A Practical Guide

In a fast-moving app where videos can surface in seconds, hashtags act as signposts that help readers find your work. For writers and authors, understanding how to use hashtags on TikTok can unlock new audiences, spark conversations, and accelerate visibility beyond traditional channels. This guide focuses on the practical side of leveraging author-focused tags, including common patterns for BookTok, and how to weave them into content that resonates with readers and fellow writers alike. If you’re curious about the potential of Author hashtags TikTok, you’re in the right place.

Why hashtags matter for authors

Hashtags are more than decorative words beneath a post; they are discovery mechanisms that align your content with specific communities. On TikTok, trends can shift daily, but certain tag clusters consistently connect writers with interested readers. By using relevant hashtags, you signal topics, genres, and moods, which helps TikTok’s algorithm place your video in front of people who are already inclined to engage with writing-related content. For many authors, this means growing an audience outside traditional platforms and turning casual viewers into fans who follow for updates, insights, and new releases. In the context of Author hashtags TikTok, deliberate tagging can turn a single well-timed video into a lasting foothold in a niche community.

Popular author-related hashtags and what they signal

Different hashtags carry different expectations. Here are some anchor tags that frequently serve writers well:

#BookTok – broad bookish content, reader recommendations, and author discoveries.
#AuthorTok or #AuthorTok – content centered specifically on authors, publishing journeys, and behind-the-scenes writing life.
#WritersOfTikTok and #WritingCommunity – community-driven tags where writers share tips, drafts, and motivation.
#AmWriting and #WritingTips – practical advice for craft, worldbuilding, and discipline.
#SelfPublishing or #IndieAuthor – signals about publishing routes and experiences outside traditional houses.
#BookRecommendation or #BooksToRead – book-centered content that can cross-pollinate between readers and authors.

These tags aren’t mutually exclusive. A single video can weave several of them to reach both the writing community and potential readers. The goal is clarity: the tags should reflect the video’s core message so that the right viewers find it fast.

How to choose the right hashtags

To make the most of Hashtags on TikTok as an author, follow a simple, repeatable process:

— Are you marketing a debut novel, a craft tutorial, or a publishing journey? Be specific about who you want to reach (e.g., fantasy readers, aspiring authors, indie publishers).
— Look at successful videos in your niche. Which hashtags appear repeatedly? Which tags seem most aligned with your book’s genre, theme, or audience interests?
— Pair a couple of broad tags with more targeted ones. A typical recipe could include 2–3 evergreen hashtags plus 2–3 niche tags.
— Monitor which combinations bring views, clicks, saves, and follows. If a hashtag isn’t performing, swap it out in your next post.
— Avoid strategy that feels forced. If a tag doesn’t fit your content, readers will notice.

With this approach, you can implement a practical framework for the Author hashtags TikTok strategy while maintaining a human, engaging voice in every post.

Content strategies that pair with hashtags

Effective use of hashtags starts with strong content. Here are formats that tend to perform well for writers:

Behind-the-scenes writing sessions – Show your process, from outlining to drafting to revisions. Tag with #AmWriting, #WritersOfTikTok, and genre-specific tags to reach readers who love your style.
Character and worldbuilding showcases – Short videos spotlighting a character sketch or a unique setting. Pair with #BookTok and #WritingCommunity.
Publishing journey updates – Chronicles of querying, contracts, or self-publishing steps. Use #SelfPublishing, #IndieAuthor, and #AuthorTok.
Book recommendations and author lists – Share titles you love or influences. Relevant tags include #BookRecommendations and #BookTok.
Tips and craft advice – Quick, actionable micro-lessons on plotting, pacing, or character arcs. Combine with #WritingTips and genre tags to attract targeted readers.

A balanced mix of content styles paired with thoughtful hashtags helps you appear in more feeds while staying true to your voice. This is where the practice of using Author hashtags TikTok becomes meaningful: it’s not just tags, it’s a promise to viewers about what they’ll gain from watching.

Crafting a hashtag strategy

Developing a repeatable hashtag strategy can streamline your content creation. A practical structure looks like this:

Core evergreen tags: 3–5 hashtags you consistently use because they describe your purpose and audience (for example, #AmWriting, #WritersOfTikTok, #BookTok).
Niche and genre tags: 2–3 tags tied to your book’s genre or niche (for instance, #FantasyWriters, #RomanceWriters, #SciFiBooks).
Event or trend tags: 0–2 tags that capture current themes or challenges (e.g., seasonal reading lists, writing prompts).
Always test new tags and retire underperformers after a few weeks.

In practice, you might craft a caption that looks like this: a short hook, a micro-lesson, and a compact set of five hashtags, including the core suite and a couple of niche additions. Consistency helps you build momentum, while thoughtful variation keeps your content fresh and discoverable.

Case examples across genres

Fiction authors often find value in tagging that highlights character-driven storytelling and reader interest. A fantasy writer might use #FantasyWriters, #WorldBuilding, #BookTok, and #AmWriting, along with a broader tag like #BookTokReads to connect with readers who seek immersive worlds. Non-fiction writers focusing on craft or memoirs can lean into #WritingTips, #MemoirWriters, #AuthorTok, and storytelling angles that invite audience participation through questions or prompts. Self-published authors can amplify their journey by combining #SelfPublishing, #IndieAuthor, #BookLaunch, and #AuthorLife. The common thread is aligning each tag with a clear content message so readers understand why they should engage.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Avoid these traps to keep your hashtag use credible and effective:

Overstuffing with too many tags dilutes the message and confuses viewers.
Irrelevant tags that don’t match the content can frustrate viewers and hurt credibility.
Ignoring trends when they fit your niche can mean missed opportunities, but chase trending tags only when they feel authentic.
Neglecting engagement—hashtags help discovery, but replies, questions, and community participation sustain growth.

Measuring success

Track outcomes beyond views: saves, shares, comments, follower growth, and click-throughs to your author website or preorder page. A well-executed Author hashtags TikTok plan should yield a measurable lift in engagement with your target audience, not just a spike in vanity metrics. If a tag combination consistently underperforms after several weeks, adjust—testing is part of the strategy.

Final thoughts

Hashtags on TikTok are a bridge between your writing and potential readers. By selecting the right signals with thoughtful tags, you can position your work in front of communities that care about books, writing craft, and publishing journeys. The practice of leveraging Author hashtags TikTok is about consistency, authenticity, and value: deliver content that informs or entertains, and make it easy for readers to discover you through the tags that truly matter. When used strategically, these hashtags don’t just boost visibility; they help you build a connected audience that grows with every post.