On TikTok, a view is counted when a user watches a video for at least one second. This means that scrolling past a video in your For You feed does not count as a view, but as soon as you tap on a video and it starts playing, that view is counted. The view count shown on a TikTok video is the total number of times users have tapped to watch that video for at least one second.
What are the requirements for a view to be counted?
For a view to be counted on TikTok, the following criteria must be met:
- The video must be played for at least 1 second. If a user scrolls past a video without clicking on it, it does not count as a view.
- The video must be played within the TikTok app. Views on embedded TikTok videos on other platforms like Twitter or Facebook do not count.
- The same user can contribute multiple views to the view count by watching the video more than once. However, continuous looping of a video does not count as multiple views.
- The view must come from an actual user account. Fake views generated using bots or other inauthentic means are not counted.
So in summary, a legitimate view that contributes to the view counter must be from a real user who voluntarily taps on the video and watches for at least one second in the TikTok app.
Do all views get counted right away?
TikTok does not count views in real-time. Instead, views are processed by TikTok’s systems on a regular basis and then added to the overall view count. This means there is often a delay between when a video is first viewed and when that view shows up in the view counter.
It’s normal to see your view count increase in chunks every few hours or days, rather than going up by 1 with each new view. TikTok explains that this delay is intentional to prevent artificial inflation of view counts by bots and fake accounts.
In most cases, views will be fully counted and reflected in the view counter within 3 days. So you need to be patient and give your videos time to accumulate views organically before worrying if your view count is stuck.
Do video repeats and rewatches count towards views?
Yes, if a genuine user watches your video multiple times, each view will be counted. The view counter shows the total number of times your video has been viewed overall.
However, continuously replaying the same video over and over does not count as multiple views, as TikTok’s systems are designed to detect and prevent view count manipulation.
But if users are voluntarily choosing to rewatch your video in full multiple times because they genuinely enjoy it, all of those views will register in the view counter.
Do views from private/shadowbanned accounts count?
Views from private accounts and shadowbanned accounts generally do not count towards your overall view count. This is to prevent inflated view counts from bot accounts or spam accounts.
Private account views may count if the account has established credibility and activity within TikTok’s systems. But views from accounts marked as spam or fake by TikTok’s algorithms will not be included.
If you notice views from private or shadowbanned accounts not being counted, don’t attempt to artificially inflate your views using these types of accounts – this will likely trigger TikTok’s spam detection systems and lead to your content being suppressed.
Why did my view count go down?
Sometimes you may notice your TikTok view count decreasing instead of increasing. There are a few reasons why this can happen:
- TikTok cleaned invalid views from spam accounts
- An old video was deleted, removing its views
- You lost followers, and their previous views disappeared
- A glitch in the view counter caused views to reset or decrement
The most common cause is TikTok removing fake or spam views that were artificially inflating your counts. TikTok routinely cleans out invalid views to maintain the integrity of counts across the platform.
Don’t worry if your view counts drop – it’s usually just a sign that TikTok is doing its job to provide accurate metrics. Legitimate views from real users will still be maintained.
Tips to get more legitimate TikTok views
Here are some best practices to get more real views that will be counted on your TikTok videos:
- Post consistently and frequently to increase visibility in the For You feeds.
- Optimize your videos for discoverability by using strong keywords, hashtags, sounds, etc.
- Engage with your followers to get more profile visits and video views.
- Promote your videos organically on other social media platforms.
- Run TikTok ads to reach new audiences.
- Collaborate with other creators to gain access to new followers.
- Analyze your best-performing content and make more of that type of content.
While buying views or using bots may seem tempting, it will ultimately hurt your account. Focus on organic growth by making great content that gets your account noticed.
Why do view counts matter?
View counts matter on TikTok because they are a key metric platforms use to determine the reach and performance of content. Higher view counts can help your videos get more visibility in TikTok’s recommendation engine.
For brands and influencers, view counts also matter because they help attract sponsors and partners. Higher view counts signal that you have an engaged, growing audience.
However, artificially inflated view counts won’t impress experienced brand partners. Authentic, engaged views generated through creating captivating content will make your account stand out as a valuable platform.
In summary:
- A TikTok view is counted when a video is watched for 1+ second.
- Views are counted if they come from real users in the TikTok app.
- Rewatches and repeats count as additional views.
- It takes time for views to be processed – counts increase in bursts.
- Fake views are removed which can make counts go down.
- Post great content consistently to get more legitimate views.
By understanding what counts as a TikTok view and avoiding artificial inflation, you can set your account up for long-term, authentic growth and success.
