What is TikTok’s filtering algorithm?
Like many other social media platforms, TikTok uses an AI algorithm to filter the content that appears in users’ For You feeds. As explained in an article by Buffer, “The TikTok algorithm analyzes each user’s interests based on factors like videos liked, shared, and watched, accounts followed and searched, device and account settings, and more. It then recommends content it predicts you’ll enjoy and interact with.”
Specifically, according to a New York Times article, “TikTok has built an algorithm that figures out what people find engaging and will keep them scrolling by highlighting videos likely to make them stick around. The algorithm, called For You, determines which videos to show users next.”
The main goal of TikTok’s algorithm is to analyze the massive amounts of user data in order to predict and recommend personalized, relevant videos for each individual user. This allows users to have a more tailored experience rather than just a generic, chronological feed. The algorithm learns and improves over time based on user engagement.
Why would someone want an unfiltered feed?
One reason people may want access to an unfiltered TikTok feed is to see a broader range of content, including from accounts they don’t follow. TikTok’s algorithm curates your For You feed based on the content you commonly interact with. This can create a “filter bubble” where you only see certain types of videos catered to your interests (source). An unfiltered feed would show content outside of your usual preferences.
Additionally, an unfiltered feed could help users discover new trends and challenges before they go viral (source). TikTok’s algorithm tends to push videos once they gain traction. An unfiltered experience may surface emerging trends before the algorithm picks up on them. This allows more opportunity to create content and participate in trends in the early stages.
Ultimately, an unfiltered feed provides exposure to a wider variety of content and accounts. This caters to users who want more variety and discovery outside of the algorithm’s personalized recommendations.
Steps to Access an Unfiltered TikTok Feed
There are a few ways TikTok users can try to access a more unfiltered feed on the platform:
Use the “Following” feed instead of “For You” – The “For You” page shows videos based on TikTok’s recommendation algorithm, while the “Following” feed will only show recent videos from accounts you follow, providing a more unfiltered experience (source).
Frequently clear watch history and liked videos – TikTok’s algorithm takes into account your watching and liking activity. Regularly clearing this data can help reset the algorithm and provide a less filtered feed (source).
Tap “Not Interested” on videos to reset recommendations – Telling TikTok you are not interested in certain videos can train the algorithm over time to show you different content (source).
Follow a diverse range of accounts – Following accounts outside your usual interests can introduce more variety into your feed.
Use alternate or secondary accounts – Creating multiple accounts for different interests or purposes can provide a less filtered experience.
Limitations of an unfiltered feed
One key limitation of using an unfiltered feed on TikTok is that you will likely see an increase in irrelevant or unwanted content compared to the standard filtered “For You” feed. Since TikTok’s algorithm carefully curates the For You feed based on your interests and interactions, turning off this filtering means you lose out on that tailored curation.
Without the algorithm’s help, it can be much harder to consistently find videos that match your personal interests and preferences. You’ll have to do more sifting through content that may not appeal to you. TikTok’s algorithm aims to solve this issue by surfacing videos it predicts you will enjoy.
It’s also important to note that your watch history still impacts recommendations even in an unfiltered feed. The videos you engage with can still influence what you see over time. So an unfiltered feed does not completely eliminate the impact of your viewing behavior.
Third-party apps for an unfiltered experience
Some third-party apps like TikTok Unfiltered or TikViewer claim to provide an unfiltered TikTok experience. These apps work by showing videos randomly without personalization based on your interests and interactions. This allows you to see content you may not normally come across on your regular filtered TikTok feed.
However, these third-party TikTok apps often go against TikTok’s terms of service. TikTok does not authorize or endorse these apps, so use caution when considering installing them. Make sure to research the risks and downsides before using an app that provides an unfiltered feed.
How to protect yourself on an unfiltered feed
Accessing an unfiltered TikTok feed opens you up to sensitive or adult content you may not want to see. Here are some tips to protect yourself:
Watch out for sensitive/adult content. TikTok’s filtering algorithm does restrict some graphic or mature content, so an unfiltered feed may surface videos you’d rather not see. Be prepared to quickly skip inappropriate videos.
Skip or report inappropriate videos. If you come across content that violates TikTok’s community guidelines, you can tap the share button on the video and choose “report” to flag it for TikTok. This helps keep the platform safer.
Monitor kids’ access to unfiltered feeds. If allowing children to access TikTok, consider restricting their experience to the standard filtered feed to limit exposure to sensitive content. An unfiltered experience may not be age-appropriate for young users.
While accessing an unfiltered version of TikTok can provide more content variety, it does require more personal responsibility in curating your own experience. Keep these safeguards in mind to protect yourself on an unfiltered TikTok feed.
Customizing TikTok’s algorithm to your preferences
There are several ways TikTok users can customize the algorithm to better reflect the content they want to see:
Like, share, and comment on preferred content. The TikTok algorithm takes note of user interactions and will promote content similar to what users actively engage with. According to research from Buffer, liking videos you enjoy will train the algorithm to show you more of that type of content.
Follow hashtags and creators you enjoy. Seeking out specific hashtags and creators that match your interests means you will see more of that content. As Hootsuite notes, “Following creators with content you like also tells the algorithm you want to see more of that type of content.”
Set account on “Private” to limit data collection. By making your account private, TikTok collects less of your user data to personalize recommendations. This can allow more control over what appears in your feed, though you will miss out on some of the customization benefits.
While you can’t completely control the TikTok algorithm, taking these steps allows users to shape the recommendation system in their favor by explicitly showing TikTok the type of content they prefer.
Arguments for keeping the standard filtered feed
There are some benefits to using TikTok’s standard filtered feed algorithm. The main advantage is that the algorithm is designed to show you more relevant and interesting videos based on your watch history and interactions. As TikTok’s blog explains, “The system gets to know you by understanding your interests and preferences to recommend content we think you’ll like and find entertaining” (https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/how-tiktok-recommends-videos-for-you). By personalizing the feed, you are more likely to enjoy the content you see.
The filtered algorithm can also help support creators you regularly engage with by promoting their content in your feed. If you consistently watch, like, comment on, and share a creator’s videos, the algorithm will show you more of their content.
Additionally, the filtered feed helps avoid potentially offensive, disturbing, or low-quality content. TikTok’s moderation and filtering systems are designed to reduce the spread of misinformation, violence, hate speech, and other problematic material (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/23/tiktok-rise-algorithm-popularity). An unfiltered feed risks exposing users to more of this unwanted content.
TikTok’s Stance on Unfiltered Feeds
TikTok’s stance is that unfiltered feeds go against their community guidelines (1). By default, TikTok’s algorithm aims to show each user engaging content tailored to their interests and interactions (1). This curated, filtered feed is considered a core part of the TikTok experience.
TikTok states that completely unfiltered feeds would contain more low-quality, irrelevant, and potentially objectionable content. They believe this would degrade the user experience and go against their goals of promoting an entertaining yet safe environment (1).
While users can refresh their For You feed if they feel their recommendations are no longer relevant, TikTok does not provide an option to fully disable their filtering algorithm. Their priority is on showing each user the content most likely to resonate with them and promote a positive experience on the platform (2).
Sources:
(1) https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/introducing-a-way-to-refresh-your-for-you-feed-on-tiktok-us
(2) https://swaygroup.com/tiktok-now/
Summary and conclusions
In summary, TikTok’s filtered algorithm provides a more customized experience based on your interests and viewing history, which can create an “echo chamber” effect. An unfiltered feed exposes you to more diverse content and creators, providing opportunities for growth and learning. However, it also increases the risk of encountering inappropriate, disturbing, or misleading content.
The ideal solution is likely a balance of the two approaches – using TikTok’s built-in controls like restricted mode and “Not Interested” to filter out unwanted content, while also periodically exploring outside of your usual feed by hashtagging or searching for new topics. This allows you to benefit from both personalized recommendations and diverse discovery.
It’s also important to carefully consider the sources of any concerning content encountered, utilize reporting tools as needed, and maintain skepticism rather than taking all videos at face value. With responsible use, TikTok can provide entertainment, community, and expanded perspectives. But ultimately, individuals must evaluate their own comfort level with the platform’s risks and make informed choices about how to engage.
