Search on Discover looks across Instagram and TikTok for the top videos on any topic.
How it works
It reads an index of short-form video first, and goes live to the platforms when the index comes up short. That is why some queries return instantly and others pause for a moment.
The line under the search box tells you how much is indexed and across which platforms.
Phrasing a query
Search by topic or keyword rather than by intent. Gym tips and skincare routine work. What should I post about skincare does not, because it is a question rather than a subject.
Keep it short. Two or three words finds more than a sentence.
Why YouTube is not here
YouTube is a small enough share of the index that filtering search to it would return a thin, unrepresentative set. Returning nothing useful is worse than not offering the option, so Discover does not offer it.
Ask in chat and Vamos searches YouTube alongside Instagram and TikTok, because chat goes live as well as reading the index.
When to search in chat instead
When you want YouTube, long-form included.
When you want ads. Facebook and Meta ad research happens in chat, not here.
When the search is really a question. Find the best videos about morning routines and tell me what the top three have in common is one request in chat and two steps here.
When you want it written up. Search gives you videos. Chat gives you videos plus the analysis and the draft.
Sorting and filtering
Results can be filtered and sorted. Outlier score is the sort worth reaching for, because it surfaces the videos that beat their own channel's normal rather than the videos from the biggest accounts.
On the free plan
Search works, but results are a sample and videos cannot be opened in full.