- What Creator Search Insights shows you
- How to open Creator Search Insights
- The filters, and the 1,000-follower catch
- Save topics so you don't lose them
- Make a video straight from a topic
- Check how your posts perform in search
- A word of caution on AI topics
- Where it's available
- Creator Search Insights versus your normal analytics
- How I'd use it each week
- Frequently asked questions
Creator Search Insights is TikTok's built-in tool that shows you topics people are searching for on TikTok, so you can make videos people already want. To open it, tap Search in the TikTok app, type Creator Search Insights and tap View. Use the Content gap filter to find searches with too few good videos.
Most creators guess what to post. Creator Search Insights lets you stop guessing, because it's built on what people type into TikTok's search bar. It's free, it's inside the app, and most people have never opened it. Here's how it works, using TikTok's own Help Center.
What Creator Search Insights shows you
TikTok describes it as personalised information on topics people are searching for on TikTok. You can browse frequently searched topics, spot topics that may be lacking in content, and track how your posts perform in search.
One setting matters here: TikTok says if you've turned off your personalisation settings, you won't be served personalised search topics. If the tool looks generic, check that first.
How to open Creator Search Insights
- In the TikTok app, tap the Search button at the top.
- Type Creator Search Insights.
- Tap View at the top of the search results.
Some creation topics from the tool also appear in your profile banner, so you may spot suggestions there without opening it.
The filters, and the 1,000-follower catch
| Filter or feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Content gap | Shows topics people search for that may be lacking in content |
| Searches by followers | Shows what your own followers search for. TikTok says you can use it when you have more than 1000 followers |
| Search bar | Type any subject to see related search topics |
| Topic page | Tap a topic to see its search popularity, related videos and related topics |
Content gap is the filter I'd start with. A topic that lots of people search for but few creators have covered well is the easiest place to get found. TikTok's Creator Academy describes the Content Gap filter in the same way: topics with many searches but limited quality videos.
Save topics so you don't lose them
When you find a topic worth making, tap the Favourites button next to it, or open the topic and tap Favourites at the top. All your saved topics live behind the Favourites button at the top of Creator Search Insights. It's a simple content list that builds itself as you browse.
Make a video straight from a topic
Next to each topic there's a Create a video button. Tap it, or open the topic and tap Create at the bottom, and TikTok takes you into the camera. Where it's available, TikTok also offers tools such as AI canvas to help you create related content.
Check how your posts perform in search
This is the part most people miss. Inside Creator Search Insights, tap Analytics. You'll see:
- All posts: the overall search performance of your posts.
- Inspired posts: only the posts you made from topics found in Creator Search Insights.
Comparing the two tells you quickly whether the tool is earning its place in your routine. For a wider view of your numbers, see my walkthrough of the TikTok analytics dashboard.
A word of caution on AI topics
TikTok is upfront that some topics are AI-generated, that AI systems aren't always accurate, and that it can't guarantee the reliability of AI-generated topics. Treat each topic as a prompt to check, not a fact. If a topic looks odd or wrong, you can report it: press and hold the topic, tap Flag, then Submit.
Where it's available
TikTok's newsroom post says the tool is rolling out in select regions, and the Creator Academy lists supported markets. If you can't find it by searching, it may not be available in your country yet, or your app may need updating.
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Creator Search Insights versus your normal analytics
Your usual TikTok analytics tell you what happened to videos you've already posted. Creator Search Insights looks the other way: at what people are searching for before you post. Used together, they cover both halves of the job. Search tells you what to make; analytics tells you whether the way you made it worked.
| Tool | Best for |
|---|---|
| Creator Search Insights | Choosing topics people already search for |
| Search analytics inside it | Seeing how your posts perform in TikTok search |
| Standard post analytics | Views, likes, shares and viewers on each post |
If you're under 1,000 followers, you'll miss the Searches by followers filter, but Content gap and the search bar still work, so the tool is useful from your first video.
How I'd use it each week
- Open Content gap and save three topics that fit your niche.
- Make one video per topic, answering the search directly in the first few seconds.
- After a week, check Inspired posts in Analytics against All posts.
- Keep the formats that win and drop the rest.
Search traffic builds slowly but lasts longer than a trend. Pair it with good timing, which I've covered in the best time to post on TikTok, and keep your expectations realistic: here's how many views counts as viral on TikTok.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find Creator Search Insights on TikTok?
Tap the Search button in the TikTok app, search Creator Search Insights, and tap View at the top of the results.
Why can't I use the Searches by followers filter?
TikTok says you can use the Searches by followers filter when you have more than 1000 followers.
What does Content gap mean in Creator Search Insights?
It shows topics people search for on TikTok that may be lacking in content, which makes them easier places to get found.
Are Creator Search Insights topics accurate?
TikTok says some topics are AI-generated and it can't guarantee their accuracy, so check each one before you build a video on it.
Can I see how my videos perform in TikTok search?
Yes. In Creator Search Insights, tap Analytics, then All posts or Inspired posts.
How do I save a topic in Creator Search Insights?
Tap the Favourites button next to the topic, or open the topic and tap Favourites at the top. Saved topics sit behind the Favourites button at the top of the tool.
Why do my Creator Search Insights topics look generic?
TikTok says that if you've turned off your personalisation settings, you won't be served personalised search topics.
