Australia TikTok Trending Hashtags (May 2026)
Here are Australia’s top TikTok hashtags for 18 May 2026, ranked with views and video counts. Learn what to post, how to tag, and what trends to watch next.
Australia’s trending TikTok hashtags today (18 May 2026) are: #dance, #michaeljackson, #meme, #xybca, #music, #blowthisup, #drake, #roblox, #real, and #melbourne—each pulling 9.8M to 17.0M views right now. If you want quick discoverability in Australia, the best move is to pair one broad reach hashtag (like #dance or #meme) with one niche/context tag (like #melbourne or #roblox) and a “format” tag (like #real or #blowthisup) to match what the algorithm is currently distributing.
Today’s Top Trending TikTok Hashtags in Australia (18 May 2026)
Below are the top 10 trending hashtags with their current momentum (views + number of videos). Use this list to decide what to create today, not “someday.”
1) #dance — 17.0M views, 2,807 videos
What it signals: TikTok is rewarding movement-first content—short routines, transitions, dance challenges, and “learn this in 10 minutes” choreography.
What to post (that performs in AU):
- “Aussie-friendly” dance snippets: filmed outdoors, at the beach, in a backyard, or in recognizable city spots.
- Duets/stitches with trending dancers and creators in your niche (fitness, fashion, comedy).
- Tutorial + performance combo: 3 seconds of the finished move, then a quick breakdown.
Creator strategy:
- Hook fast: open with the hardest move or the “payoff” moment.
- Keep it loopable: end on a pose that matches the first frame.
- Caption idea: “If you can walk, you can do this step 👀”
Hashtag pairing ideas: #dance + #music + #real (for authenticity) or #dance + #melbourne (for local discovery).
2) #michaeljackson — 15.4M views, 819 videos
What it signals: A strong nostalgia + performance wave. Lower video count (819) with high views means less competition and strong audience demand—great for creators who can execute.
What to post:
- MJ-inspired footwork (moonwalk variations, spins, toe stands).
- “Before/after practice” clips—audiences love skill progression.
- Outfit recreations or “MJ style in 2026” fashion transitions.
Creator strategy:
- Use clean framing: full body, good lighting, minimal background clutter.
- Add a “challenge” angle: “Day 1 learning the moonwalk” to “Day 7.”
- Avoid over-editing—this trend rewards skill clarity.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #michaeljackson + #dance + #music.
3) #meme — 15.0M views, 1,365 videos
What it signals: Shareable humor is surging—especially relatable, local, and remixable memes.
What to post:
- Australian workplace/uni/school humor (without naming employers/schools).
- “POV” formats: “POV: you said ‘no worries’ but you’re actually stressed.”
- Reaction memes using stitches (commentary + punchline).
Creator strategy:
- Make the first line the joke premise (text on screen).
- Keep it tight: 7–15 seconds tends to travel well for memes.
- Use subtitles (many meme views are silent-scrollers).
Hashtag pairing ideas: #meme + #real (for authenticity) or #meme + #melbourne (hyper-local).
4) #xybca — 13.6M views, 6,670 videos
What it signals: This looks like a viral “mystery tag”/algorithmic bucket—high views and very high video volume. These tags often become “catch-all” discovery pools, where TikTok tests distribution across many content types.
How to use it without wasting reach:
- Treat #xybca as a secondary booster, not your main descriptor.
- Only use it when your video already has a strong hook and retention plan.
What to post:
- Fast-paced edits, satisfying loops, mini-stories with a twist.
- “Watch until the end” content—but earn it with a real payoff.
Creator strategy:
- Keep the story simple: setup (0–2s), escalation (3–7s), payoff (8–12s).
- Use on-screen text to guide viewers: “Wait for it…” plus a clear end moment.
- Don’t spam it on unrelated content daily—rotate it in when you have a strong post.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #xybca + #blowthisup + one niche tag (#roblox / #melbourne / #dance).
5) #music — 13.1M views, 1,784 videos
What it signals: Sound-first content is booming—music clips, covers, production breakdowns, and “what I’m listening to” micro-reviews.
What to post:
- 10–20 second covers with a strong first note (no long intros).
- “How I made this beat” with a quick screen recording + face cam reaction.
- Micro-reviews: “3 songs for late-night Melbourne drives.”
Creator strategy:
- Put the chorus or most recognizable moment first.
- Use captions that invite comments: “Rate this hook 1–10.”
- If you’re an artist, pin a comment with where to hear the full track.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #music + #drake (if relevant) or #music + #real.
6) #blowthisup — 12.8M views, 3,008 videos
What it signals: A classic “boost me” tag—often used for aspirational reach. It can help when paired with content that already matches current formats.
How to use it effectively:
- Use it when your video has:
- a clear hook,
- a strong visual,
- and a reason to rewatch.
What to post:
- Transformations (makeup, room, outfit, glow-up).
- Big reveals (art, DIY, renovation, surprise).
- “I can’t believe this happened” storytimes—kept short and structured.
Creator strategy:
- Ask for a specific action: “Comment ‘AUS’ if you want part 2.”
- Don’t rely on the hashtag alone—TikTok prioritizes watch time over wishful tagging.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #blowthisup + #real + your niche (beauty/fitness/gaming/local).
7) #drake — 12.2M views, 1,377 videos
What it signals: Artist-centric trends are spiking—often driven by sound reuse, edits, lyric memes, and fan commentary.
What to post:
- Lyric-based skits (“When he says that line…”).
- “Drake song for every mood” lists (fast, scroll-stopping).
- Dance or transition edits timed to a beat drop.
Creator strategy:
- Use the sound strategically: pick the most recognizable 3–6 seconds.
- Add context for non-fans: on-screen text explaining the joke/emotion.
- Keep it brand-safe—avoid rumor-heavy commentary unless you can source it clearly.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #drake + #music + #meme.
8) #roblox — 11.1M views, 1,697 videos
What it signals: Gaming content with built-in community loops (updates, roleplay, challenges) is trending hard. Roblox also performs well with short, punchy “moments.”
What to post:
- “Most chaotic moment” clips (10–15 seconds).
- Beginner tips: “3 settings to change for smoother gameplay.”
- Trend formats: “POV: you joined a server and immediately regretted it.”
Creator strategy:
- Add subtitles and zooms for clarity.
- Use a strong title overlay: “This update changed everything…”
- Encourage engagement: “What game should I try next?”
Hashtag pairing ideas: #roblox + #meme or #roblox + #xybca (for broader testing).
9) #real — 10.5M views, 1,798 videos
What it signals: Audiences want authenticity—less polish, more honesty. #real often boosts content that feels human, candid, and specific.
What to post:
- Creator diaries: “What I earned as a small creator this week.”
- Behind-the-scenes: filming setup, bloopers, planning boards.
- Honest takes: “Things I wish I knew before moving to Melbourne/Sydney.”
Creator strategy:
- Be specific, not generic. “I felt anxious today” is okay; “here’s what triggered it and what helped” performs better.
- Use natural lighting and minimal filters.
- Keep it respectful—authentic doesn’t mean oversharing private info.
Hashtag pairing ideas: #real + #melbourne or #real + #music.
10) #melbourne — 9.8M views, 2,989 videos
What it signals: Local discovery is strong in Australia today. City tags help TikTok understand who to show your video to, especially for food, events, street style, and micro-vlogs.
What to post:
- “Best cheap eats in Melbourne” quick cuts (3 places, 15 seconds).
- Weather-core humor (Melbourne’s famously changeable vibe).
- Hidden spots: bookstores, laneways, markets—keep it practical.
Creator strategy:
- Add location cues immediately: show a recognizable street/spot in the first 2 seconds.
- Use clear overlays: suburb names, prices, and opening hours.
- Invite locals: “Melbourne people—what’s the most underrated café?”
Hashtag pairing ideas: #melbourne + #meme (local humor) or #melbourne + #real (vlog authenticity).
Featured TikTok Video: @summer — “#summer” (Views: 0)
Featured video: Creator @summer, description #summer, currently showing 0 views.
Why it’s still worth watching (and featuring)
A “0 views” readout doesn’t always mean the content is dead—it can happen when a post is brand new, still processing, or early in distribution. Featuring it is useful because it highlights a real creator reality in May 2026: momentum often starts at zero, and the right packaging can change everything.
How @summer can turn this into a breakout
If @summer wants this post to earn distribution quickly, here are high-impact fixes that match today’s trending ecosystem:
- Clarify the hook in the first second: Instead of only “#summer,” add on-screen text like “My 10-second Aussie summer reset” or “3 summer fits in 9 seconds.”
- Add one trend anchor hashtag: Pair #summer with one of today’s movers:
- If it’s a vibe montage: #music + #real
- If it’s an outfit/video transition: #dance + #blowthisup
- If it’s comedic: #meme
- Use a stronger caption: Ask a question to trigger comments: “Team beach or team backyard BBQ?”
- Optimize watch time: Keep it 8–15 seconds, loopable, and end where it began.
In short: the video is worth watching because it’s a live example of how creators can pivot packaging (hook, caption, tags) to match what TikTok is rewarding in Australia today.
Emerging Trends to Watch in Australia (Next 7–14 Days)
Based on the mix of today’s tags, here’s what’s likely to grow next:
Dance + legacy artist crossovers
With #dance and #michaeljackson both high, expect more:
- “Then vs now” choreography remakes
- Tribute routines and costume transitions
- Skill-based dance tutorials (slower, clearer teaching)
Meme formats getting more local
The presence of #melbourne + #meme suggests hyper-local humor will keep rising:
- Suburb stereotypes
- Weather jokes
- Public transport and café culture bits
Gaming clips with mainstream meme editing
#roblox + #meme is a strong combo for:
- Caption-heavy gameplay
- Reaction cuts
- “POV” roleplay storytelling
“Real” storytelling as a trust signal
#real trending implies creators who share:
- honest behind-the-scenes,
- realistic routines,
- and practical tips
will build stronger follower conversion (not just views).
Practical Creator Tips: How to Use These Hashtags Today
Use these as a simple posting framework for Australia in May 2026.
Build a 3-layer hashtag stack (recommended)
For each post, choose:
- One broad trend tag: #dance / #meme / #music
- One niche or community tag: #roblox / #melbourne / #michaeljackson / #drake
- One distribution/format tag: #real / #blowthisup / #xybca
Example stacks:
- Dance creator: #dance + #music + #real
- Melbourne food vlog: #melbourne + #real + #blowthisup
- Roblox comedy: #roblox + #meme + #xybca
- MJ tribute: #michaeljackson + #dance + #music
- Drake edit: #drake + #music + #meme
Match the hashtag to the content “promise”
TikTok viewers click based on expectations:
- #dance promises movement and rhythm
- #meme promises a punchline
- #real promises honesty
- #melbourne promises local relevance
If your video doesn’t deliver, watch time drops—and distribution drops with it.
Use metrics to pick your risk level
- High views + low videos (like #michaeljackson: 15.4M views, 819 videos) = opportunity with less competition.
- High views + high videos (like #xybca: 13.6M views, 6,670 videos) = crowded; you need an exceptional hook.
Post timing and cadence (simple, effective)
- Post when your audience is most active, but prioritize consistency over perfect timing.
- If you’re testing trends, do 3 posts in 48 hours using different stacks, then double down on the one with best retention.
Conclusion: What to Post Next (Action Plan)
If you’re creating in Australia today, start with the hashtags that match your content style: #dance for movement, #meme for shareable humor, #music for sound-led edits, and #melbourne for local discovery. Then add a smart booster (#real, #blowthisup, or carefully #xybca) to help TikTok test your video with wider audiences.
Your best next step: pick one trend from this list, film a 10–15 second video with a strong first-second hook, and publish with a 3-layer hashtag stack. The creators who win in May 2026 aren’t using more hashtags—they’re using better-matched hashtags with tighter storytelling.
Key Takeaways
- #dance (17.0M views) and #meme (15.0M views) are the fastest broad-reach plays in Australia today.
- #michaeljackson has high views with low competition (819 videos), making it a strong opportunity trend.
- Use a 3-layer stack: broad tag + niche tag + format tag (#real/#blowthisup/#xybca).
- Local discovery is active: #melbourne (9.8M views) can boost reach with Australians nearby.
- “0 views” featured posts can still break out with a stronger hook, better caption, and smarter tag pairing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top trending TikTok hashtags in Australia today (18 May 2026)?
#dance, #michaeljackson, #meme, #xybca, #music, #blowthisup, #drake, #roblox, #real, and #melbourne.
How many hashtags should I use on TikTok in 2026?
Use 3–5 hashtags: one broad trend, one niche/community tag, and one format/distribution tag for the best balance.
Is it worth using “random” trending hashtags like #xybca?
Yes, but only as a secondary tag. Pair it with a clear niche tag and a strong hook, because it’s high-competition (6,670 videos).
What’s the best hashtag here for local Australian reach?
#melbourne is the strongest local discovery tag on this list, especially for vlogs, food, events, and street culture.



