Going viral on TikTok means a video gets an extremely high number of views and engagement in a short period of time. This often happens when the TikTok algorithm picks up that a video is gaining traction and starts recommending it to more and more users. TikTok’s algorithm is designed to determine which videos each user will find most entertaining or relevant based on their existing preferences and engagement history. It does this by looking at factors like captions, sounds, hashtags and more which we’ll explore throughout this article. The end goal is to create an addictive, personalized feed for each user – the “For You” page – where they are likely to watch, like, comment on and share videos. When the algorithm detects a new video is performing well, it gives it a boost by showing it to more people to see if they also engage. If engagement stays high, the video can go viral to millions of users. While luck plays a role, understanding how the TikTok algorithm works can greatly increase your chances of going viral.
TikTok’s ‘For You’ Page
The ‘For You’ page, also known as the FYP, is the unique homepage that each TikTok user sees when they open the app. According to TikTok, the FYP is tailored to each user and “recommends content by ranking videos based on a combination of factors” (TikTok Newsroom). When a user first signs up, TikTok profiles their interests based on the content they engage with. The more a user interacts with certain types of videos, the better the algorithm gets at recommending relevant content.
The FYP algorithm analyzes each video’s metadata, captions, sounds, hashtags, as well as the author’s previous videos and engagement rates. It determines a video’s relevance based on all these factors and a user’s unique interests. TikTok describes it as “a recommendation system that delivers content to each user that is likely to be of interest to that particular user” (TikTok Newsroom). This personalized curation of content is key for helping users go viral, as their videos get promoted to audiences who will engage with them.
Video Quality and Viral Success
Viral TikTok videos tend to be high quality, both in video and audio. This allows the content to be viewed smoothly across platforms and helps it spread more easily. According to Clipchamp, poor video quality can hurt views and shares. They recommend manually setting your camera to the highest quality before recording. You want to avoid grainy or pixelated footage.
For the best quality, follow TikTok’s recommended specifications. Shoot in an MP4 format with a resolution of at least 720p HD. Landscape orientation works best. Ensure proper lighting and stabilize your phone if needed. Check audio levels to avoid distortion. Consider using an external microphone for improved sound. With high production value, your content looks more professional and is primed for virality.
Captions
Captions are a critical element for making your TikTok videos stand out and go viral. Effective captions quickly grab users’ attention as they scroll through their ‘For You’ page, enticing them to stop and watch your video. According to experts, captions should be short, catchy, and complement the video content (Socialbu). Some tips for writing captions that help get your videos noticed include:
Keep them concise – Captions with 60 characters or less have proven most effective. Long blocks of text are skipped over (Hootsuite).
Use conversational language – Write like you’re speaking directly to your audience to come across authentic and approachable.
Ask questions – Posing questions in captions engages users and makes them more likely to comment and interact.
Leverage trends and challenges – Referencing popular sounds, dances, hashtags and viral challenges can help put your video in front of people already engaged with those topics.
Be creative and funny – Unique wordplay and humor stands out and gets more engagement. Don’t be afraid to showcase your personality.
Optimize with keywords – Using relevant keywords related to your content can help surface your videos to more niche audiences.
The right captions quickly tell users why they should watch and what the video is about. Well-written ones make your content more discoverable, shareable, and help propel it into the algorithm’s ‘For You’ recommendations.
Leverage Trending Sounds and Music
Using a popular, trending sound or song is one of the best ways to increase your chances of going viral on TikTok. TikTok has a dedicated “Sounds” page that shows you the top trending sounds across the platform. According to Sprout Social, the top trending sounds often gain traction and views very quickly as users make their own videos using the same music (Source). Choosing a trending sound provides a better chance of your video being discovered in the “For You” page algorithm.
You can browse trending sounds by selecting the “Sounds” option when adding audio to a new video. Spend some time scrolling through different genres and moods to find an appealing sound. Pay attention to how many videos have used a particular sound already – the higher the number, the more potential reach if your video also goes viral. Consider sounds that aren’t yet saturated with content, but have strong potential. With creative videos, you can help launch a sound into wider popularity.
The key is choosing a sound that fits the vibe and concept of your video. Don’t force a sound just because it’s popular if it doesn’t align with your content. Select music that complements the messaging and aesthetics. Trending sounds can provide a helpful starting point, but make sure to customize and make it your own.
Challenges
Participating in popular challenges is a major way videos spread on TikTok. When a challenge goes viral, millions of users create their own take on it. Even big celebrities and brands join in on popular challenges, further fueling their viral spread. According to https://humc.narratur.net/challenge-di-tiktok/22140232, some examples of challenges that took off on TikTok include:
– The Renegade dance challenge, created by teenager Jalaiah Harmon. The Renegade dance became a global phenomenon with over 2.8 million TikTok videos using the dance.
– The Don’t Rush challenge, where users showed their glow up and transformation. This challenge amassed over 4.8 billion views on TikTok.
– The Wipe It Down challenge, where users wiped a mirror to transition into a new outfit. This super popular challenge had over 66.7 million views.
When a challenge goes viral, it spreads exponentially across TikTok as more and more users create their own take. Even just participating in a popular challenge can help videos get picked up by the algorithm and pushed into the For You feeds of millions of users.
Trending Topics
Hashtags are a key way that TikTok promotes trends and helps videos go viral. Using relevant hashtags will increase the reach of your video by surfacing it to users browsing those hashtags. Some of the most popular hashtags include #foryou, #fyp, and #viral. When a new trend emerges, using the associated hashtag while it’s still growing can give your video a boost.
TikTok highlights trending challenges, memes, songs, and topics on the app’s “Discover” page. Jumping on these trends early and adding the relevant hashtags can expose your videos to a huge audience already engaged with that topic. For example, the “He’s a 10 but…” trend went viral in early 2022, and creators who made videos using the trending sound and #hesa10but hashtag racked up millions of views.
Influencers
Collaborating with influencers who have large followings on TikTok is an effective way to increase the reach of your videos. According to Sprout Social, TikTok has an engaged user base where over 60% make purchases based on influencer recommendations. When an influencer with millions of followers makes a video featuring your product or sound, it exposes your content to their entire audience.
There are two main ways for influencers to spread your video on TikTok. The first is by “dueting” your video, which shows their content side-by-side with yours. The second is “stitching” your video, which embeds your clip at the start of theirs. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, brands looking to get influencers to duet/stitch can offer compensation, share examples of successful collaborations, or appeal to influencers who genuinely like their product.
Luck and Timing
Going viral on TikTok does involve an element of luck and good timing. You can help set yourself up for viral success by consistently creating high-quality, engaging content, but unpredictable events can help launch a video into the stratosphere. For example, a funny video that coincidentally relates to a current news event or cultural phenomenon may suddenly gain a lot more traction. According to blog.hootsuite.com, you need to be ready to capitalize when opportunities arise. Having a strong network of followers built up over time through consistently good content will enable your video to spread farther and faster when luck strikes. Stay active in participating in trends, using relevant sounds, hashtags, effects, and more to increase the chances of being discovered. While luck can’t be manufactured, you can do your best to maximize the chances that luck will find you.
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok’s sophisticated algorithm is the driving force behind making videos go viral on the platform. By analyzing user behavior and interests, it determines which videos to show each person in their customized “For You” feed. High-quality videos with appealing visuals, sounds, captions and challenges are more likely to gain traction. Capitalizing on trending topics and leveraging influencer collaborations can also help increase views. But ultimately, a dash of luck and perfect timing play a role in videos taking off. TikTok’s algorithm leverages data to target relevant content to engaged users, which helps create the viral videos that define the platform.
