A once-hot product suddenly stops selling and begins to pile up. A single viral moment on TikTok or Instagram can trigger a sell-out, but the hype fades just as fast. With trends shifting at breakneck speed, it’s getting harder for store owners to predict and respond in time. They scroll through TikTok and check Instagram, trying to keep up, but it’s not easy. Some wonder if it’s their age or just a lack of fluency with the latest slang. The frustration is real. In today’s world of information overload, how you search matters more than what you search for. There’s a strategy to it. With the right approach, spotting trends and staying ahead becomes much easier. This article shares practical ‘search techniques’ that can be used as powerful tools for store management.

Step 1: “What and How to Search?” – Practical Keywords and Hashtags

The Difference Between Search and #Hashtags

If search is a tool for finding ‘answers,’ hashtags serve as a tool for reading the ‘pulse.’ Search yields curated results such as blog posts, articles, brand content, and online shops. Hashtags, on the other hand, highlight raw and unfiltered ‘real-time moments.’ They are especially vivid because consumers create and share their own keywords. Hashtags like #BudgetBeauty, #BlackHairStyles, and #MyRoutine reflect language used naturally by real consumers, shaping new trends and market vocabulary. Using both search and hashtags together gives sharper insight into what customers are seeking and which products attract attention. This information directly informs inventory planning and new product selection.

How to Use Keywords Correctly

Search terms are the exact words or phrases users enter into the search bar. If too short, results become broad and vague; if too long, relevance decreases. The most effective approach is to combine two to three core keywords.

When creating search terms, the following formats are helpful:

✅ Practical Keyword Examples That Drive Sales:

TikTok search screen example. Entering keywords like ‘Beauty Supply Haul Black Girls’ or ‘What I bought at Sally’s’ reveals content featuring products frequently purchased by users.

Understanding Hashtags

A hashtag is a keyword marked with a ‘#’ to indicate a topic or interest, such as #naturalhair or #wiginstall. Because users create and share them spontaneously, hashtags act as ‘real-time interest indicators’ and provide valuable insights for quickly tracking trending styles and products.

Searching hashtags like #blackgirlhairstyle, #protectivestyles, or #braidstyles reveals content frequently engaged with by Black female consumers. Clicking on a hashtag brings up related trending videos. If certain products or brands appear repeatedly, they are likely emerging trends.

✅ Essential Hashtag Examples You Must Search:

Step 2: “What to Watch?” – Identifying Content That Drives Sales

Once trends are identified, the next step is to determine which videos to focus on. Not all content drives sales; many are just for entertainment or short-lived trends. It’s essential to identify videos that provide actionable insights for your store. Pay special attention to videos in the following formats, as they often correlate with real purchasing behavior.

The ability to distinguish which videos truly lead to sales is, therefore, the second step in trend analysis. By understanding not just what to watch, but also which formats convey specific signals, you can more accurately and quickly identify ‘best-selling items.’

©YouTube @deborahnyreewanjala “Douyin makeup on darker skin #grwm” #grwm (Get Ready With Me) A makeup tutorial short with the #grwm (Get Ready With Me) hashtag. The title reveals the trending makeup style (Douyin makeup), while the content provides insight into the products influencers use at each step of the makeup process.

©YouTube @VictoryMarrie “LET’S GO SELF CARE SHOPPING | $300 Haul, Hygiene Restock, Feminine Tips, Sephora”
A review video using the “Haul” keyword. This influencer shares reviews of various products purchased for $300. The video content and comments reveal which products attract the most viewer interest.

Step 3: “Which Numbers to Trust?” – Indicators of Real Trends

High view counts don’t always equate to strong sales. To capture the “real buying signals,” focus on the following metrics.

★ Real Money Signal 1: Comments

Comments are a “goldmine” for gaining direct insights into customer thoughts. Beyond simple reactions, they often contain powerful clues about actual purchasing intent. Pay close attention to the following types of comments.

1. Direct Purchase Intent

“This video just made me spend my money.”

“Running to the beauty supply to get this now!”

→ These comments signal immediate purchase intent, the strongest form of buying response

2. Specific Product Inquiry

“Is this good for low porosity hair?”
“Does it leave a white cast or flake up?”

→ These questions indicate the customer is envisioning a real-life use of the product. Identifying the pain points and stocking the appropriate items in-store can lead to immediate sales.

3. Complaints or Requests Regarding Stock

“I can’t find this anywhere! It’s always sold out.”

→ This is not just a complaint, but concrete evidence that supply is not keeping up with demand. It means many customers need this item right now.

★ Real Money Signal 2: Saves & Shares

‘Likes’ are close to casual feedback, but ‘Saves’ are closely tied to actual purchase plans. While a Like may reflect a passing “this is okay,” a Save signifies concrete consumer intent, such as “I’ll buy this on payday,” “I need to pick this up later,” or “I should remember this product.” In essence, a Save is like ‘adding it to my shopping list.’

For example, if a product review video receives 10,000 ‘Likes’ and 3,000 ‘Saves,’ it can be interpreted that at least 3,000 potential customers are ready to purchase the item.

The same goes for ‘Share.’ Sending a post to a friend with “You have to see this!” goes beyond simple interest. While ‘Save’ signals personal purchase intent, ‘Share’ signals viral spread through word of mouth.

Thus, Comments, Saves, and Shares aren’t just reactions; they are traces of people who are ready to open their wallets. The key to real trend analysis is not missing and correctly interpreting this data.

>> Number of ‘Likes’ is the most popular indicator to gauge public response to a video.

>> You can see the comments left on the video.

>> Number of ‘Saves’ represents the number of people who saved the video to revisit it later.

>> ‘Shares’ shows how many people have shared the video.

>> Users often leave questions on tutorial contents.

>> The content creator answered by applying a “search term setting.” Users can explore related content by clicking on the provided keywords.

20 Minutes to Get Started – SNS as a Revenue Tool

Customers now make purchasing decisions before visiting stores, often discovering styles on social media, saving products, and sharing information. Today, it’s about asking ‘Is this here?’ rather than ‘What is this?’ The ‘Boho Braids’ trend on TikTok quickly became the first crochet hairstyle to sell out. A customer commented, ‘So light, perfect for summer!’ and the comment went viral, driving in-store demand. This organic trend spreads faster and more authentically than traditional advertising. By adjusting store displays based on these signals and anticipating where customers’ attention lingers, competition becomes easier. Fortunately, this requires no investment, just a smartphone. You can start now.

COVER STORY By BNB Magazine
BNB 매거진 2025년 8월호 ©bnbmag.com