Today (17 March 2026), the top trending TikTok hashtags in the United Kingdom are: #football, #xyzabc, #meme, #dance, #london, #music, #tiktokshop, #relateable, #asmr, and #movie—each showing strong momentum in views and fresh uploads. Below you’ll find the exact metrics (views + video counts) and the best creator strategies to use each hashtag in a way that TikTok can actually classify, recommend, and scale.

Quick snapshot: UK’s top trending hashtags (17 March 2026)

If you’re picking hashtags based on both reach and competition, use this table to decide where to play:

#football — 69.3M views, 14,326 videos
#xyzabc — 39.4M views, 25,086 videos
#meme — 49.1M views, 12,499 videos
#dance — 49.9M views, 6,799 videos
#london — 39.6M views, 10,283 videos
#music — 43.0M views, 6,563 videos
#tiktokshop — 42.2M views, 12,587 videos
#relateable — 38.2M views, 8,355 videos
#asmr — 43.7M views, 5,348 videos
#movie — 68.6M views, 1,463 videos

#football (69.3M views, 14,326 videos)

Why it’s trending in the UK today

Football content is evergreen in the UK, but it spikes when creators tap into match-day energy, debates, fan reactions, and quick analysis that feels immediate. The view volume is huge, and the video count shows it’s competitive—but not impossible if you niche down.

What to post under #football

“Hot take in 15 seconds”: one opinion + one stat + one question.
Fan POV: “When your mate says…” pub banter, group chat reenactments, away-day stories.
Micro breakdowns: one clip (or reenactment) focusing on a single moment: press, set piece, mistake, save.
Creator formats that work: green-screen reactions, “stitch this” debates, ranking templates.

Strategy to stand out

Hook fast: open with the conclusion (“He’s been underrated all season—and here’s why.”).
Use on-screen text for search: “Premier League debate”, “UK football fans”, “match reaction”.
CTA that boosts comments: “Agree or nah?” “Who starts?” “Name one player you’d swap.”

#xyzabc (39.4M views, 25,086 videos)

What this hashtag usually does

#xyzabc is a classic discovery / For You push tag. It often trends because creators believe it helps distribution. The metric to notice: very high video count (25,086), meaning lots of competition and mixed content quality.

How to use it without wasting your caption

Treat #xyzabc as a secondary tag, not the core of your strategy. TikTok ranks content primarily by watch time, re-watches, shares, and topic clarity—so your video still needs a clear niche signal.

Best ways to pair #xyzabc

Use it alongside topic-defining hashtags, for example:

A football clip: #football + #premierleague (or team tag) + #xyzabc
A London vlog: #london + #uktravel + #xyzabc
A product demo: #tiktokshop + #productreview + #xyzabc

Creator tip

Keep your hashtag set tight:

2–4 hashtags that describe the content
1 “reach” tag like #xyzabc if you want, but don’t let it replace specificity

#meme (49.1M views, 12,499 videos)

Why #meme is surging

Memes travel because they’re shareable. In the UK, meme culture thrives on dry humour, sarcasm, and relatable social situations (work, dating, mates, public transport).

What to post under #meme

UK-specific POV memes: “When the train says ‘delayed’ again…”
Green screen commentary on viral posts (with your twist).
Audio-led memes: trending sounds + a punchline text overlay.
Duet/stitch prompts: “Stitch with your worst…”, “Duet if you’ve done this”.

Make memes that retain viewers

Put the payoff at 6–10 seconds, not at the end, so you earn re-watches.
Use caption-as-context: one line that frames the joke fast.
Add subtitles even if it’s just on-screen text; UK humour can be subtle, so clarity matters.

#dance (49.9M views, 6,799 videos)

Why it’s a strong opportunity

High views with a moderate video count makes #dance one of today’s best “reach-to-competition” plays. Dance also benefits from TikTok’s strength: sound-driven discovery.

What to post under #dance

Learn-with-me: show 2–3 key moves, then the full run.
Duet-friendly choreography: leave space in frame for a duet partner.
UK location dance: quick routine on a recognisable street, station, or landmark (ties nicely with #london).

Execution tips that improve performance

Camera distance: full body visible; avoid cropping feet.
First 1 second: start mid-move to avoid dead air.
Loop it: end pose matches the start pose for seamless replays.

#london (39.6M views, 10,283 videos)

Why London content keeps trending

London is a built-in content engine: food, transport, events, neighbourhood aesthetics, and “only in London” moments. The hashtag is crowded, so the winning move is hyper-specific London.

Content angles that win

Neighbourhood micro-guides: “2 cafés in Soho worth the queue”
Commute POV: Elizabeth line, Northern line chaos, rainy-day realism
Budget vs bougie: £10 day in London vs £100 day
Tourist myth-busting: “Don’t do this at Oxford Circus…”

Hashtag pairing strategy

Pair #london with:

a niche: #londonfood, #londonlife, #londonvlog (or your category)
a format: #pov, #dayinmylife, #minivlog This helps TikTok classify your content beyond just “London”.

#music (43.0M views, 6,563 videos)

Why it’s trending today

Music content spikes when creators use:

new/rediscovered sounds
performance clips
behind-the-scenes production
music commentary (reviews, “sounds like…” comparisons)

What to post under #music

15-second hooks: chorus-first or strongest bar first.
Studio moments: quick cut between DAW screen + vocals.
“If you like X, you’ll like this”: great for shares and saves.
Street performance / live room clips: raw authenticity performs well.

Growth strategy for UK music creators

Put your artist name + song title on screen.
Pin a comment with links + “use this sound” instruction.
Reply to comments with videos (TikTok loves this loop).

#tiktokshop (42.2M views, 12,587 videos)

What’s driving the trend

TikTok Shop content is booming because it blends entertainment + conversion. In the UK, the best-performing Shop videos usually look like normal TikToks first—and ads second.

What to post under #tiktokshop

Problem → product → proof in under 20 seconds.
Unbox + first impression (honest reactions are key).
“3 reasons I kept this”: benefits, not features.
Comparison: “£10 version vs £40 version” (high retention).

Creator strategy: conversion without killing watch time

Show the result early (cleaner skin, organised desk, better audio).
Use native language: “I didn’t expect this to be good, but…”
Add usage context: where, when, who it’s for in the UK (e.g., small flats, damp weather, commuting).

Trust builders that increase sales

Mention sizing, delivery expectations, or “what I’d change”.
Avoid overclaiming; credibility drives long-term RPM and repeat buyers.

#relateable (38.2M views, 8,355 videos)

Why it’s trending (and a quick spelling note)

This trend thrives on “that’s so me” content—awkward moments, social anxiety, work life, dating fatigue. Note: the tag is spelled #relateable (as provided), even though “relatable” is the standard spelling. Use the trending spelling if you want to ride the exact hashtag momentum.

Content ideas for #relateable

Workplace mini-skits: meetings, Slack/Teams messages, “quick call?”
Dating POV: “When they say ‘I’m not on my phone much’…”
Friendship dynamics: the planner vs the flake
UK-specific relatability: weather mood swings, meal deals, queue etiquette

Structure that boosts shares

Hook: “If you’ve ever done this, you’ll feel attacked…”
Escalate: 2–3 beats that get more specific
Punchline: a final twist + freeze frame text

#asmr (43.7M views, 5,348 videos)

Why #asmr is a smart play today

High views with the lowest-ish competition relative to reach (5,348 videos) makes #asmr a strong opportunity. ASMR also performs well because it encourages longer watch time and replays.

What to post under #asmr

Unboxing ASMR: crisp packaging sounds, slow pacing
Food ASMR: careful mic placement, consistent crunch
Keyboard / desk setup: satisfying clicks, organisation
Skincare / barber-style roleplay (keep it cosy and clear)

Technical tips that matter

Use a quiet room; reduce background hum.
Keep levels consistent—avoid sudden loud peaks.
Add on-screen “sound on” prompt in the first second.

#movie (68.6M views, 1,463 videos)

Why this is the biggest opportunity on the list

#movie has massive views (68.6M) with a very low video count (1,463)—that’s rare. It suggests the audience demand is high and the supply of good UK movie content is still catching up.

What to post under #movie

Micro-reviews: “Worth watching? Yes/No + why” in 20 seconds.
No-spoiler reactions: best for broad reach.
Scene breakdowns: themes, cinematography, acting choices (use fair use responsibly; many creators use commentary + short clips or stills).
“If you liked X, watch Y” recommendation chains (high saves).

Creator strategies to win #movie in the UK

Pick a lane: horror, rom-com, indie, streaming picks, cinema etiquette.
Use searchable on-screen text: “Best films to watch this weekend UK”.
Encourage saves: “Save this for your next movie night.”

Emerging trends to watch next (UK predictions)

Based on today’s mix of hashtags, here’s what’s likely to grow through late March 2026:

1) “Culture + commerce” content will keep rising

The overlap between #tiktokshop and entertainment tags (memes, relatable skits, even ASMR unboxings) is getting stronger. Expect more creators to:

sell through storytelling
use skits to demo products
turn reviews into mini-series

2) Hyper-local UK storytelling will outperform generic travel

With #london trending, creators who go beyond landmarks—into neighbourhood routines, price transparency, and “real London”—will win.

3) Commentary formats will keep dominating

#football and #movie both reward opinions. TikTok is leaning into content that sparks:

debates
stitches
duets
long comment threads

Practical creator tips: how to use these hashtags today

Build a “3-layer hashtag set”

Use:

One core topic tag (e.g., #movie, #football, #asmr)
One niche qualifier (e.g., “review”, “pov”, “londonfood” style tags)
One optional reach tag (e.g., #xyzabc)

This helps TikTok understand your content while still giving it room to explore.

Match the video format to the hashtag

#dance: full-body framing, looped endings
#asmr: sound-first production, consistent pacing
#tiktokshop: proof early, benefits fast
#movie/#football: opinion-led hooks, comment prompts
#meme/#relateable: specificity + quick payoff

Post like a series, not a one-off

Turn one idea into 3 posts:

Part 1: hot take / hook
Part 2: replies to comments (video replies)
Part 3: ranking / update / “I changed my mind”

Track performance the right way

Don’t only watch views. For trend hashtags, prioritise:

average watch time
re-watches
shares
saves These are the signals that keep pushing a video after the first burst.

Conclusion: what to do next (actionable plan)

If you’re posting in the UK today, use #movie for the best reach-to-competition opportunity, lean into #football for debate-driven scale, and use #asmr when you want stronger watch time. Keep #xyzabc as a supporting tag, not your main targeting strategy, and make every caption + on-screen text clearly describe what your video is about. Consistency plus clarity is what turns a trending hashtag into repeatable growth.

Key Takeaways

#movie is the biggest “low competition, high views” opportunity in the UK today.
Use #xyzabc as a supporting tag, and rely on niche/topic tags for classification.
#dance and #asmr offer strong reach with comparatively lower video volume—great for growth.
Pair each hashtag with the right format: opinions for #football/#movie, loops for #dance, sound quality for #asmr.
Optimise for watch time, saves, and shares—not just views.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hashtags should I use on TikTok in the UK?

Typically 2–5 is enough: one main topic hashtag, one niche qualifier, and 1–2 supporting tags.

Is #xyzabc still worth using in March 2026?

Yes, but only as a secondary reach tag. It won’t replace strong hooks, watch time, and clear topic keywords.

Which trending hashtag has the best opportunity today?

#movie stands out: 68.6M views with only 1,463 videos suggests high demand and lower competition.

Should I copy the exact trending spelling like #relateable?

If the misspelled version is the one trending, using it can help you join that specific stream—pair it with clear on-screen text for search.