How Does TikTok Algorithm Works? A Beginner’s Guide to Learn

Are you navigating the challenging world of social media and wondering why your TikTok videos aren’t getting the views you’ve been hoping for? Well, you’re not alone because many creators feel they’re shouting into the void, not understanding why their content isn’t resonating. The culprit often isn’t the content but how it interacts with the TikTok Algorithm.

However, it is not difficult to understand the algorithm. By the end of this post, you’ll understand everything about this algorithm and you’ll be able to use it to your advantage.

So, tune in and discover how these can take your TikTok to the next level!

What is the TikTok Algorithm?

Ever wondered why is the TikTok algorithm is so good at showing you videos you love? It’s because it decides what pops up on your ‘For You’ Page(FYP) based on your interactions. 

It’s smart and looks at what videos you like, share, and watch all the way through. When a lot of people like a video, the TikTok algorithm for views kicks in and shows it to even more people.

But it’s not just about likes and shares. The algorithm also looks at what’s in your videos, the songs you use, and when you post them. 

Source: The New York Times

The image easily explains how TikTok’s algorithm focuses on increasing Daily Active Users (DAU) by maximizing time spent and retention. The algorithm checks video quality in the “For You” feed based on user interactions (likes, comments, playtime) and creation quality (publish rate, creator retention). Additionally, it also focuses on other features like live streaming, social interactions, and Points of Interest (POI) to enhance user engagement and creator monetization.

Understanding TikTok algorithm times is crucial, as posting at peak times can significantly boost your video’s visibility. Utilizing a TikTok Scheduler is super helpful in this regard, allowing you to schedule TikTok posts for optimal timing and audience engagement.

It helps you post your videos when most people are watching, so your video has a better chance of being seen.

TikTok Algorithm Signals

Leverage the TikTok algorithm to significantly boost your content visibility and engagement. The TikTok algorithm actively works towards delivering personalized content to every user, ensuring creators use the correct techniques. Understanding TikTok algorithms gives you an advantage to reach the right audience and achieve optimal impact. Let’s understand how TikTok’s algorithm figures you out.

• User Activity: The TikTok algorithm is programmed to create a personalized ‘For You’ Page for every user. It considers user activity such as likes, shares, saves, comments, and watch time to curate a user-centric content page.

• Subject Matter: The subject or say the context of the video is another factor that signals the algorithm. For instance, if you are into cooking or dancing, create videos for that particular niche. This way the algorithm will understand the theme of your video and show it to those who like that stuff as well. It is just like placing your video into a particular position in the library where relevant people will easily access and see it.

• Location and Language: Your location and the language you speak can influence who sees your videos. The algorithm tries to show people videos that are popular or relevant in their area. If you’re making videos in English from Canada, the algorithm is more likely to show your videos to other English-speaking TikTok users, maybe even those in Canada.

• Audio: Music and sounds are super important on TikTok. If you are using trending audio or trending sounds, the algorithm gives you a thumbs up and helps more people find your video. Tracking user watch time helps the TikTok algorithm show more user-preferred content, favoring the content based on a user’s choice and keeping them engaged on the platform for a longer time.

• Not Interested Feedback: If people start watching your video but then stop and skip it, the algorithm takes that as a sign that maybe your video wasn’t what they wanted to see. This feedback is a critical part of how the algorithm works, helping it to refine the content presented to users. So, it’s important to make your videos fun and interesting from the very beginning to keep viewers engaged.

• Device Type and Account Settings: Even the kind of phone someone has or the settings that they have on their TikTok account can affect the algorithm. For example, if you create high-quality videos, they might be shown more to people with newer phones. The platform allows users to reset algorithms by introducing a way to refresh your For You Feed on TikTok if recommendations are no longer relevant.

By understanding these signals, you’re essentially getting the TikTok algorithm exposed, allowing you to create content that aligns perfectly with what the platform favors.

For deeper insights and discussions, many creators turn to platforms like TikTok algorithm Reddit threads, where they share their experiences and strategies for aligning content with the algorithm’s preferences.

How Does TikTok FYP Algorithm Work?

The TikTok For You Page (FYP) algorithm designs a personalized feed based on user interactions, video details, device settings, and account activity. The algorithm tracks every activity of users, such as likes, comments, shares, and complete watch, to align user preference. As a creator, you can gain traction and visibility by picking up trending sounds and hashtags. 

How Does TikTok Live Algorithm Work?

The TikTok Live algorithm promotes streams by evaluating viewers’ real-time engagement, interactions, and interests. Streams that garner high engagement rates—such as frequent comments, likes, and shares—are prioritized and shown more prominently to users. To maximize your visibility, schedule your live streams during peak times when your audience is most active. For a step-by-step guide on how to schedule your live streams effectively, check out our blog post on How to Schedule a Live Stream on TikTok.

How Does TikTok Algorithm Work For Views?

TikTok’s algorithm for views mainly focuses on video engagement and watch time as primary factors. Videos with higher viewer attention and encouraged interaction (likes, shares, comments) are more likely to be promoted. Higher watch completion rates signal quality content, boosting visibility and, consequently, views.

Resource: How To Get More Views on TikTok in 2024: 13 Hacks To Go Pro

How Does The TikTok Recommendation Algorithm Work?

The TikTok recommendation algorithm inspects user behavior and preferences for suggesting videos. User interactions, video metadata (hashtags, captions), and account/device settings are considered factors. The algorithm engages users by engaging them with similar content and enhances user experience and satisfaction.

TikTok Shop Algorithm

The TikTok Shop algorithm considers user behavior, preferences, and interactions on the platform to suggest relevant products. It shows trending items, similar items, and popular products in a user’s area to aim for a personalized shopping experience. 

How Does The TikTok Algorithm Work For Creators?

The TikTok algorithm examines content quality and engagement for creators. Content with high engagement rates, consistent posting, and the use of trending hashtags increases the chances of being promoted. The algorithm rewards creators who keep viewers engaged and interact with their audience, helping them grow their reach and influence.

Ready to Turn Your TikTok Success into Earnings?
Understanding the algorithm is just the start. To learn how to monetize your TikTok presence and make money from your growing reach, check out our detailed guide:

👉 How to Make Money on TikTok

Explore More Social Media Algorithms

• Instagram: Learn how Instagram prioritizes posts and stories.
• YouTube: Discover how YouTube’s recommendation system works.
• Facebook: Understand how Facebook ranks content in news feeds.
• Twitter: Find out what influences tweet visibility.
• LinkedIn: Explore how LinkedIn ranks posts and articles.
• Pinterest: Learn about Pinterest’s content curation.

Top 12  TikTok Algorithm Tips

Hook Your Audience

Think of the start of your video as the cover of a book. It should be exciting enough that people find it impossible not to jump into it. First, begin with something that will add a “wow” factor to the content, incorporating unique and engaging TikTok video ideas.

Perhaps present some questions that they are dying to know the answer to. Or display something that forces people to stay till the end. What you should wish for your videos is when you are telling a story, everybody should listen to it with focus and interest!

Keep it clean, keep it exciting, and watch as viewers stay to see your whole story unfold.

Focus on a Niche

Just like everyone has their favorite class in school, your TikTok channel should have a favorite subject too. Choose a topic you love and know a lot about, whether it’s making slime, playing guitar, or showing off soccer tricks.

When you make videos about this one special topic, you become the go-to person for it, like a teacher who knows everything about dinosaurs. This helps the algorithm figure out who will want to watch your videos because they like that topic as much as you do.

It’s like watching your videos with the perfect audience who can’t wait to see what you’ll share next.

Use Trending TikTok Audio

Using audio that’s popular on TikTok can help your videos get noticed. When you choose a sound that lots of people are listening to, the algorithm sees it and shows your video to more users. 

This can make your video more popular, just like a hit song on the radio. So, when making a video, pick a trending sound to help it stand out.

Experiment with New Features

TikTok often introduces new features, like Stitches, Duets, Stories, and various TikTok challenges. Using these can help your videos reach more people. Stitches and Duets let you interact with other users’ content, which can introduce you to their followers.

They may also improve how your content is viewed and make it appear on several “For You” channels. Try them out to see which ones work best for your videos.

Effective Hashtag Use on TikTok

Selecting appropriate hashtags is essential for TikTok creators. They help your target audience discover your videos. It’s important to choose hashtags that are relevant and not too general to ensure your content reaches viewers interested in your niche.

However, using too many hashtags can lead to confusion, much like too many directions can lead to getting lost. Hence, aim for a few well-chosen hashtags that represent your video’s topic.

Also, creating a unique hashtag for your brand on TikTok can be beneficial. This acts as a signature for your content, making it stand out and providing a shared space for your audience to connect.

It can also increase your content’s visibility, encourage community engagement, and support brand loyalty. 

Build a community

As content creators, the key element for the TikTok marketing strategy should be building a community on social platforms, which can significantly boost your visibility and influence in the social media marketing landscape.

These relationships can open doors to collaborative projects and mutual promotion, which can significantly extend your content’s reach.

By engaging with creators who share your passion, you can tap into their audiences and introduce your brand to potential new followers. This network of creators acts as a support system, helping to amplify each other’s messages and grow your presence on the platform.

Building a community is a powerful strategy for increasing your visibility and influence on TikTok.

Find the Best Time to Post

Using a TikTok Pro Account can provide insights into your audience’s activity, helping you identify the optimal time to publish your videos. This is where scheduling TikTok posts, based on the best time to post on TikTok, becomes an invaluable strategy. The process involves analyzing when your audience is most active on the platform.

Posting during peak engagement times increases the likelihood that your content will be seen by a larger audience, as the algorithm tends to favor videos that receive immediate interaction.

By strategically timing your posts, and considering the best time to post on TikTok, you can enhance the visibility and reach of your content, which is a key tactic for successful engagement on TikTok.

Experiment With Video Length

Finding the perfect length for your videos can make a big difference. Some viewers might like quick, snappy videos, while others prefer longer ones where they can get into the story.

So, create shorter videos, as well as longer videos to see which ones your audience likes best. Just notice how long people watch before they stop, and which videos get the most likes and shares.

This will give you an idea about what video lengths work best for your TikTok content. Remember, the goal is to keep your viewers interested from start to finish.

Optimize TikTok for SEO

Optimizing your content for TikTok SEO is similar to website SEO; using the right keywords helps people discover your videos when they search for specific topics. Think of keywords as the important words that tell what your video is about.

When you put these words in your video’s title, description, and even in the video itself, it’s easier for TikTok to show your video to people looking for those topics.

So, choose keywords that match what your video is about and use them wisely. This way, your videos are more likely to pop up for the right viewers.

Be Consistent

It’s important to post your videos regularly. When you share videos often and on a schedule, people know when to expect new content from you, which keeps them interested.

Being consistent with your posts can help you build a group of viewers who really like your work and follow you closely. Plus, when you post often, TikTok’s system notices that you’re active and might show your videos to more people.

So, try to post as regularly as you can to keep your audience around and engaged.

Keeping up with the Updates

As you dive into mastering the algorithm, remember that it’s a moving target. The platform frequently rolls out a “TikTok algorithm update” to refine user experience and content relevancy.

Staying updated with these changes is crucial for creators who want to maintain and grow their presence on TikTok.

By adapting to these updates, you ensure that your strategy remains effective and your content continues to reach your audience effectively.

Have Fun

Displaying genuine enthusiasm in your videos can significantly enhance their appeal. When viewers see that you’re passionate and having a great time, they’re more likely to engage with your content.

This engagement is a key indicator of TikTok’s algorithm, suggesting that your videos are enjoyable and should be recommended to others.

As a result, including fun in creating the content will make your clips much more engaging and reachable to many viewers. Recall, it is the very same positive energy that can work for you in bringing about new audiences, as well as, keeping them engaged.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving realm of social media, understanding the algorithm is key to growing your presence on the platform. By focusing on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience, and using the right strategies like timing your posts and optimizing for search, you can work with the algorithm to get your videos in front of more viewers.

Remember that the algorithm aims to connect users with content they’ll enjoy. So, concentrate on making your videos appealing and valuable to your audience, and you’ll likely see your TikTok community thrive.

This strategy is just one factor influencing TikTok’s algorithm. For a deeper dive into social media algorithms, explore our guide: Social Media Algorithms Explained.

Frequently Asked Questions