TikTok has turned into a powerhouse for brands. In 2025, it remains one of the fastest-growing social platforms. Over 1.12 billion users are now active on TikTok each month. That’s a massive audience! 

Brands aren’t just watching; they’re participating. Find TikTok influencers who align with your brand can help you go viral, drive sales, or spark a cultural moment. But here’s the challenge: How do you find TikTok influencers who are truly the right fit? 

Here are some tips for you: 

• Look for creators with authenticity and engagement.
• Brief them well and foster true collaboration.
• Pay fairly and communicate openly.
• Don’t hesitate to lean on experts when scaling campaigns.

Finding a TikTok creator who connects with your audience is no easy task. It’s not just about follower counts. You need creators with authentic engagement, the right audience, and the ability to tell your story.

That’s where this guide comes in. Below, you’ll discover 6 proven ways on how to find TikTok influencers in 2025 — from manual searches to agency partnerships to marketplace tips. — from manual searches to agency partnerships to marketplace tips.

TikTok influencer discovery methods

This summary table gives a clear comparison of all TikTok influencer discovery methods discussed in the article — pros and cons side by side. 

1. Manual TikTok Search: Start On the Platform

Sometimes the simplest approach works. If you’re new to TikTok influencer discovery, start on the platform itself.

How to begin:

• Use TikTok’s search bar to explore hashtags related to your niche (example: #VeganRecipes, #FitnessTips).
  
• Check the “Trending” tab to spot new creators.
  
• Explore TikTok’s sound trends — many creators build massive followings around trending audio.
  

But here’s the catch:

• It’s time-consuming.
• TikTok doesn’t show engagement rates or historical performance.
• It’s hard to track outreach or compare creators easily.
  

Manual search works well for very niche campaigns or if you want to discover emerging creators organically. But for scaling a campaign, it’s limiting.

2. Work with a Specialist Influencer Marketing Agency (like AWISEE)

If you want the easiest — and most scalable — way to find TikTok influencers, work with a specialist agency.

Agencies like AWISEE, a specialist TikTok influencer marketing agency, take the guesswork out of TikTok influencer discovery. Instead of spending hours searching or analyzing creators, the agency does it for you.

Why agencies simplify TikTok influencer discovery:

• They already have vetted pools of creators across industries and niches.
  
• They handle outreach, negotiations, and contracts — saving you time.
  
• They manage campaign measurement and reporting, giving clear ROI insights.
  

How working with an agency scales better than DIY:

• No need to vet hundreds of profiles.
  
• Quicker turnaround for campaigns.
  
• Reduced risk of working with unreliable creators.
  

AWISEE, for example, is one of the leading agencies helping brands connect with top TikTok creators. Whether you want to launch a trend or drive product sales, they ensure your campaign hits the mark.

Curious? You can explore more about AWISEE’s services at awisee.com.

Partner with AWISEE to Find TikTok Influencers Effortlessly

Finding the right creators on TikTok — or when you need to find influencers across multiple niches — is time-consuming unless you have expert help. AWISEE not only helps you find TikTok influencers, but also ensures your collaboration is:

• Seamless and professional.
• Driven by clear goals and briefs.
• Built for long-term brand growth.

3. Analyze Hashtag Trends & Viral Content

Another way to find TikTok creators is to monitor trending hashtags and viral videos in your niche.

How to do it:

• Follow relevant hashtags weekly (you can “follow” hashtags directly in the app).
• Spend time on your “For You” page to see which creators are dominating.
  
• Identify creators whose videos consistently appear under key hashtags.
  

Why it works:

• You find rising stars early, often before agencies or platforms list them.
• It gives a sense of content style and community trends.
  
• Helps you spot creators who align well with your brand vibe.
  

For brands targeting niche communities, TikTok niche influencer search via hashtags is incredibly effective.

4. Use TikTok Influencer Discovery Tools

Now, if you want to move faster — and smarter — dedicated TikTok influencer search tools can help you find TikTok influencers more efficiently.

Best TikTok influencer search methods:

These platforms help you find, analyze, and shortlist creators in minutes:

• Modash — known for accurate influencer data and excellent TikTok filters.
  
• Brand24 — a strong social listening platform that helps discover influencers and track brand mentions.
  
• Heepsy — affordable influencer discovery with audience quality analysis.
  
• Upfluence — built for larger brands or agencies managing multi-market campaigns.
  

Pros:

• Saves time — no need to manually scroll TikTok for hours.
  
• Provides key metrics (engagement rate, follower growth, audience demographics).
  
• Easier to build lists and track outreach.
  

Cons:

• Most tools are paid.
  
• Some databases may be limited depending on the niche.
  

If your budget allows, tools like Modash or Brand24 are a great place to start.

5. Creator Marketplaces and TikTok Creator Marketplace (TCM)

Another route is to use TikTok’s own Creator Marketplace (TCM). This is TikTok’s official platform where brands can browse and partner with verified creators.

How to use TikTok Creator Marketplace:

• Register your brand on https://creatormarketplace.tiktok.com.
  
• Set filters to find TikTok influencers based on location, niche, engagement rate, and more.
  
• Send partnership requests directly through the platform.
  

Benefits:

• Direct access to creators already approved by TikTok.
  
• Transparent insights on creator performance.
  
• Secure payment and contract flow through the platform.
  

Limitations:

• Many top creators work outside of TCM (especially those with agency representation).
  
• The platform lacks flexibility for custom contracts.
  
• Smaller or emerging creators may not be listed.
  

For mid-tier to large brands, TCM is a solid starting point, but combining it with agency partnerships gives the best reach.

6. Community Recommendations & Micro-Communities

More than 70% of Gen Z consumers now prefer to engage with user-generated content on TikTok rather than traditional brand posts. Now here’s something that might surprise you — not all great creators are easy to find through TikTok influencer discovery tools or marketplaces.

Some of the most authentic creators operate in niche communities. If your brand is looking to find TikTok influencers who drive real word-of-mouth impact, here’s where to explore:

• Reddit threads: Subreddits like r/TikTokMarketing, r/InfluencerMarketing, or even niche industry subs often share creator recommendations.
  
• Discord groups: Many creator and brand communities on Discord exchange influencer tips.
  
• Industry newsletters: Stay subscribed to influencer marketing newsletters. Many report on up-and-coming TikTok creators in specific niches.
  

This method works especially well when you need TikTok niche influencer search, discover best TikTok influencers 2025, or want to spot emerging talent early.

What to Look For in a TikTok Creator

Before you start outreach, it’s important to know what to look for in a TikTok Creator. Many brands mistakenly focus on follower count, but there are far more valuable signals.

Key factors to evaluate:

• Authenticity: Does the creator genuinely love their niche? Are their videos natural or overly polished?
  
• Engagement rate: Prioritize creators with high engagement rates.
  
• Content style & alignment with brand: Does their style match your brand tone? Do they share similar values?
  
• Past collaborations & transparency: Have they worked with other brands? Were those campaigns successful and authentic?
  

Remember — great content beats big numbers. This is a crucial mindset when you’re trying to find TikTok influencers who deliver results. Focusing on these key qualities will help you consistently find TikTok influencers who align with your brand and audience

How to Ensure a Successful Collaboration with TikTok Influencer

Once you’ve found the right creator, how to ensure a successful collaboration with TikTok influencer relationships comes down to preparation and trust.

Here’s how:

• Set clear expectations: Define campaign goals, key messages, and deadlines upfront.
  
• Communication tips: Keep communication friendly, collaborative, and consistent.
  
• Importance of creative freedom: Allow creators the space to tell your brand story in their own voice. That’s how TikTok content stays engaging.
  

Brands that micromanage often see lower engagement and forced-looking videos. Trust your creator’s instincts — after all, they know their audience best.

How to Brief TikTok Creators

You might be wondering: How to brief TikTok Creators for the best outcomes — and craft winning TikTok influencer partnership strategies?

A good brief strikes a balance between providing direction and giving room for creativity.

What to include:

• Campaign overview and goals
  
• Brand voice and tone guidelines
  
• Key messages or hashtags
  
• Content dos and don’ts
  
• Timeline and deliverables
  
• Usage rights and exclusivity terms
  
• Payment details and process
  

Dos and don’ts:

• ✅ Do provide reference examples.
  
• ✅ Do be clear about expectations.
  
• ❌ Don’t dictate every word or scene.
  
• ❌ Don’t send a generic brief to multiple creators — customize it!
  

A strong brief helps creators perform at their best — which ultimately helps your brand succeed.

How Much Should I Pay a TikTok Creator?

This is one of the most common questions I hear about TikTok influencer pricing 2025 — and the answer is: It depends.

Here are some general benchmarks for 2025: 

• Nano influencers (1K–10K followers): $25–$125 per post
  
• Micro influencers (10K–50K followers): $125–$500 per post
  
• Mid-tier & macro influencers (50K–500K followers): $500–$5,000 per post
  
• Celebrities & mega creators (500K+ followers): $5,000+ per post — sometimes tens of thousands for top-tier names!
  

Factors influencing rates:

• Niche: Highly specialized niches (finance, healthcare, luxury) often pay more.
  
• Engagement: Creators with loyal, engaged audiences can command premium fees.
  
• Type of content: A simple product mention costs less than a full branded video with exclusivity rights.
  

Pro tip: Agencies like AWISEE can help negotiate rates and ensure you get fair value when you’re ready to find TikTok influencers at scale.

TikTok Influencer Cost Range (2025)

Description:
This chart shows the typical cost ranges per post for different types of TikTok influencers:

• Nano Influencers: $25–$125
• Micro Influencers: $125–$500
• Mid-tier & Macro Influencers: $500–$5,000
• Celebrities & Mega Creators: $5,000–$20,000+

It visually communicates how influencer costs scale by tier great for brands planning budgets.

Biggest Issues with Working with Creators — And How to Solve Them

It’s not always smooth sailing. Many brands run into challenges when managing creator partnerships.

Outreach challenges:

• Creators’ inboxes are flooded. To stand out:
  

• • Personalize your message.
  • Mention why you’re a good fit.
  • Keep your email short and clear.

Contracting & confirmation issues:

• Always set clear timelines and deliverables in writing.
• Use signed contracts to avoid misunderstandings.
  

Communication breakdowns:

• Agree on preferred communication channels (email, WhatsApp, Slack).
  
• Keep communication transparent and documented.
• Regularly check in without micromanaging.

If this sounds like a lot — well, it is! That’s why many brands prefer working with agencies like AWISEE, who handle all these logistics professionally while helping you find TikTok influencers that are a true brand fit. 

When done right, TikTok influencer discovery can drive incredible results — and even help your brand become part of the cultural conversation. 

Partnering with experts like AWISEE can help you find TikTok influencers faster — and ensure your campaigns deliver maximum impact.