The TikTok algorithm is central to how content is discovered and consumed on the platform. Understanding how this algorithm works can help users maximise engagement, boosting visibility and interactions with their content. But how does the TikTok algorithm work?
With over 1 billion active users, TikTok has quickly become a powerful tool for brands, creators, and marketers, largely due to its unique algorithm that tailors content to each user.
Below is a breakdown of the key elements of the TikTok algorithm and tips for maximising engagement.
Why TikTok Matters
TikTok’s global influence is massive, with users spending an average of 95 minutes per day on the app. This presents an unprecedented opportunity for content creators to reach wide audiences.
With a 150% higher engagement rate than Instagram, TikTok users are more likely to interact with content they find. In fact, 70% of users say the platform helps them discover new products and brands, which is why businesses are increasingly turning to TikTok for marketing.
Furthermore, videos featuring trending audio clips are 1.5 times more likely to appear on the For You Page (FYP), which is the key to virality.
Key Factors Driving the TikTok Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm considers several factors when selecting content to push onto users’ feeds. The following are some of the main categories that affect how the algorithm works:
User Interaction
Likes and Comments: The more likes and comments a video gets, the more likely it is to be shown to a wider audience.
Shares and Follows: Videos that are shared or lead to new followers also boost a creator’s visibility on the platform.
Watch Time: This is one of the most important metrics. TikTok favors videos that are watched all the way through, and if a video is replayed, even better. Videos with high watch times, especially those viewed by 70% of the audience or more, receive a significant boost.
Video Information
Sounds: Trending audio clips drive engagement. TikTok’s algorithm can increase your reach by up to 30% if you use popular sounds, helping push your content onto more FYPs.
Captions: Keywords related to popular trends or user interests should be incorporated into video captions to rank higher.
Hashtags: Using popular hashtags such as #fyp or niche-specific ones helps increase your content’s discoverability. Approximately 75% of top-performing videos use trending hashtags.
Demographics and Interests
Existing Habits: TikTok customises each user’s FYP based on their prior engagement, showing content similar to what they have previously liked or interacted with.
Previous History: Users’ interactions with specific creators, topics, or types of content will determine what appears on their feed. For instance, if a user regularly engages with comedy videos, their feed will prioritise that genre.
Content History: Similarly, TikTok tracks engagement with certain types of content like comedy, educational, or lifestyle videos and serves up related content.
Pro Tips for Maximising Engagement
Leverage Trending Topics and Sounds: Using viral sounds and trends significantly boosts your chances of landing on the FYP. In fact, 67% of viral videos feature trending audio. However, creators should avoid mindlessly using trending sounds and ensure that they enhance, not hinder, their video’s overall message or aesthetic.
Create High-Quality Content: Videos that generate engagement within the first two hours of being posted are more likely to go viral. Features such as hooks and narrative structures encourage viewers to keep watching, a factor the algorithm highly favors. Additionally, well-lit, high-quality visuals keep users engaged. Creators are also advised to maintain a consistent posting schedule to keep their audience engaged and aware of their content.
Work With TikTok Gurus
In summary, deciding how does the TikTok algorithm work is driven by user interaction, video information, and personalised preferences based on demographic data.
By strategically using these elements—especially trending sounds, hashtags, and high watch times—creators can optimise their chances of going viral and reaching broader audiences.
