TikTok is a social media app that allows users to create and share short video clips. It utilizes a powerful recommendation algorithm that personalizes the “For You” feed for each user. This algorithm is key to TikTok’s success, as over 90% of views come from the For You page.
The TikTok algorithm analyzes various signals to determine which videos to show each user. It aims to provide an endless stream of engaging content catered to each person’s interests and preferences. Understanding how the algorithm works can help creators maximize their views and reach.
Factors that influence views
There are several key factors that influence how many views a video gets on TikTok according to the algorithm:
Video quality: Higher quality videos with good lighting and stable image capture tend to get more views. TikTok recommends uploading videos with a resolution of at least 720p for best results.
Captions: Adding captions or subtitles helps make videos accessible and can result in more views. Captions increase watch time as they allow people to understand the video without sound.
Hashtags: Using relevant hashtags helps get your videos seen by more people interested in that topic and can significantly boost views. Make sure to include a mix of popular and niche hashtags.
Sounds: Using trending sounds or music gives your video a better chance of showing up on related feeds and can lead to more views. Original or popular sounds tend to perform better.
Trends: Creating videos using current popular TikTok trends makes it more likely to be shown to users interested in those trends and viral topics. Staying on-trend connects you to views.
User interactions
User interactions on TikTok play a major role in determining which videos get shown in people’s feeds. The more a video gets liked, commented on, shared, and followed, the more likely it is to go viral on TikTok. This is because user engagement signals to the TikTok algorithm that a video is popular and should be shown to more users.
According to the Hootsuite blog, likes are weighted more heavily than comments in the TikTok algorithm. So the more likes a video receives, the more reach it will get. Shares also give videos a boost, as they expose the content to new audiences. When a video gets lots of comments, it indicates that it is generating discussion and engagement.
Following the account that posted a video can also help that creator, as TikTok’s algorithm favors showing content from accounts you follow. And profile clicks signal an interest in the creator, which may lead to more of their videos being recommended to those users.
Watch Time
Watch time is one of the most important factors that influences how many views a video gets on TikTok. The algorithm favors videos that keep viewers watching and engaged for longer periods. According to Emilio Koumis, watch time is the most important metric for the TikTok algorithm.
Specifically, TikTok looks at the average percentage watched of a video, how often it gets rewatched, and the drop-off rate. Videos that maintain high watch times and percentages will get pushed out more by the algorithm. However, videos where viewers drop off quickly, known as a high drop-off rate, may get shown to fewer users. The goal is to create engaging content that keeps viewers watching for as long as possible.
Account History
According to Later.com How Does TikTok’s Algorithm Work in 2023?, a user’s account history plays an important role in determining the number of views a new video will get. TikTok looks at three key factors related to account history: posting frequency, past viewership, and number of followers.
Users who post consistently and regularly tend to get more views on new videos. TikTok’s algorithm favors accounts that maintain an active presence by posting daily or multiple times per week. Infrequent posters may find their new videos don’t get as many views.
Past viewership statistics also factor in. If previous videos have high view counts, TikTok will be more likely to push a new video out to a wide audience. However, videos that consistently underperform will signal to the algorithm that future videos may not warrant expanded distribution.
Finally, having a strong base of followers boosts the chances of getting more views. TikTok will showcase videos from accounts with a large following on the For You page in hopes they will be interested. However, having an inflated follower count from bots or purchasing followers does not lead to better video distribution.
Location and language
TikTok’s algorithm takes into account a user’s location and language settings when determining which videos to show them. Users who target a local audience in a specific city or region will typically see higher viewership and engagement from TikTok users in that area. As one Reddit user shared, “Tiktok learns what your seed audience is over time I think, and geography is a huge part of it.” Source
On the other hand, creating content that appeals to a global audience can also help videos get pushed out more broadly by the algorithm. Tailoring captions and hashtags to multiple languages can make content accessible and discoverable for more users. TikTok recognizes a user’s language setting and will promote videos accordingly. Checking performance data by country can also provide insights into which locations are engaging most with your content.
In summary, while targeting a local audience can help generate loyal followers, taking a global approach can also unlock more views and spread by tapping into TikTok’s worldwide user base of over 1 billion monthly active users. Considering location and language when creating and optimizing content can help boost its reach.
Device and settings
The device used to access TikTok and the settings configured on that device are factors in the algorithm, but they have relatively low weight compared to metrics like watch time and interactions (Hootsuite).
One setting that impacts the algorithm is dark mode. Videos viewed in dark mode may get slightly higher visibility than light mode, possibly because dark mode indicates users are more engaged (Search Engine Land).
The type of device also plays a small role. TikTok is available on both iOS and Android, but tends to be more popular on iOS globally. One study found iOS users spent over twice as much time on TikTok daily compared to Android users. This suggests iOS users may see more tailored video recommendations (Later).
Accessibility settings like captions are another consideration. Videos with captions tend to get boosted slightly, as they expand the potential audience. But the overall impact of device and settings remains relatively minor compared to watch time and likes.
Content freshness
The TikTok algorithm favors recent and relevant content. According to Later.com [1], videos uploaded within the past week are prioritized in For You Page recommendations. TikTok wants to surface the newest trends and viral content. As a video ages, it can gradually receive fewer views unless it continues gaining engagement. To keep videos circulating, creators should consistently add new and timely content. Videos on trending topics and hashtags tend to perform better as they feel current. Outdated videos typically get buried in favor of fresh recordings. Overall, the TikTok algorithm rewards recency and relevance when recommending videos in For You feeds.
Negative Signals
Certain actions on TikTok can send negative signals to the algorithm that may reduce a video’s reach. Some of the main negative signals that can impact views include:
Muted Videos: According to The TikTok Algorithm Explained + Tips to Go Viral, muting a video tells TikTok you aren’t interested in that type of content. This sends a strong negative signal, reducing the chances of seeing similar videos in your For You feed. However, muting doesn’t negatively impact the video creator.
Blocked Accounts: Blocking an account signals to TikTok you want to avoid content from that user. As noted in TikTok Finally Explains How the ‘For You’ Algorithm Works, this negatively impacts the reach of that account’s content. However, it doesn’t affect the content’s visibility for other users.
Reports: Reporting inappropriate videos or accounts is an important way to maintain safety on TikTok. However, How TikTok’s shaky algorithm fails to protect users from harmful content notes that multiple reports against a video or account sends a strong negative signal, decreasing visibility. But the bar is high, requiring multiple reports, to prevent abuse.
Conclusion
The TikTok algorithm plays an important role in determining how many views each video receives. By understanding how the algorithm works, creators can optimize their content and activity to boost engagement. TikTok Algorithm Hacks To Help You Create High Quality Several key factors influence the algorithm, including watch time, user interactions, account history, location, device settings, and content freshness. Avoiding negative signals like spammy behavior or policy violations is also essential.
In summary, the TikTok algorithm rewards relevant, engaging content that keeps users interested. Creators should focus on producing high-quality videos, encouraging profile visits and meaningful engagement, maintaining regular posting, and leveraging optimal posting times. With the right strategy, it’s possible to gain more views naturally without resorting to bots or other inauthentic tactics. Understanding the TikTok algorithm is key to developing an effective approach on the platform.