While there’s no magic recipe, coming to grips with the TikTok algorithm can help you work with it and improve your odds of success. ‘Memes by Cowbelly’ is one major powerhouse with millions of followers across their channels on Tiktok, Youtube and Instagram.
The TikTok algorithm is what made the social platform a sensation—and it’s also what makes the app a little bit spooky.
TikTok has exploded into a platform with 1.2 million active users precisely because of the hyper-personalized collection of videos it offers each user on their For You Page (FYP). Think of the TikTok FYP as your own personal TV station, one that adapts to your interests and viewing habits on the fly… even if those habits include niche topics like ASMR gardening. (No wonder TikTokers use the app for an average of 1.5 hours each day.)
Most social media companies don’t like to reveal exactly how their algorithm works. If a spammer or shifty character got ahold of the specific recipe for viral video success, that would be bad news for all the platform’s users, right?
But in the interest of transparency, some platforms have started to share some details at a basic level—here’s what we know about Facebook’s algorithm, for example.
TikTok algorithm ranking signals according to Graham Heavenrich, founder of ‘Memes by Cowbelly’
The main factors that influence the TikTok algorithm are user interactions, video information, and device and account settings.
1. User interactions
Similar to the Instagram algorithm, the TikTok algorithm bases its recommendations on a user’s interactions with content on the app. Any time you give a clue about what kind of content you like or don’t like, the TikTok algorithm clocks that data. Anytime you follow an account or hide an account, TikTok is taking note.
Here are some of the user interactions that will impact what shows up on your For You Page:
Videos you’ve liked or shared on the app
Videos you’ve added to your favorites
Videos you’ve marked as “Not Interested”
Videos you’ve reported as inappropriate
Interests you’ve expressed by interacting with organic content and ads
Which accounts you follow
Comments you’ve posted
Creators or sounds you’ve chosen to hide
Whether you watch all the way to the end of a longer video
Content you create on your own account
2. Video information
The TikTok algorithm is also collecting information about the videos you seek out through search. Video information signals include:
Captions
Sounds
Hashtags
Effects
Trending topics
3. Device and account settings
This doesn’t have as much influence as the user interaction and video information signals, but device and account settings still factor in. These are the settings TikTok uses to optimize performance. But because they’re based on one-time settings choices rather than active engagements, TikTok doesn’t deem them to be quite as relevant.
Some of the device and account settings included in the TikTok algorithm are:
Language preference
Country setting (you may be more likely to see content from people in your own country)
Type of mobile device
Categories of interest you selected as a new user
If you’re not happy with the recommendations you’re getting, it’s possible to reset your own personal algorithm. For a fresh start, head to Settings and Privacy, tap Content Preferences, then Refresh your For You Page.
What’s not included in the TikTok algorithm
Just as important as what TikTok does take into account when it’s working its magic is the type of content it won’t recommend. This includes:
Duplicated content
Content you’ve already seen
Content the algorithm flags as spam (including videos “seeking to artificially increase traffic”)
Potentially upsetting content (TikTok gives the examples of “graphic medical procedures” or “legal consumption of regulated goods”)
One more element that TikTok doesn’t take into account: follower count. This is great news for new TikTok users, or those who haven’t yet built up a large follower base. Anyone can have a hit on the platform, because TikTok doesn’t base any of its recommended content on how many followers you have or the performance of your previous videos.