Strategy
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.
Christina Newberry February 8, 2023
Table of Contents
What is the TikTok algorithm?
How does the TikTok algorithm work?
9 tips for getting picked up by the TikTok algorithm
The TikTok algorithm is the fuel that feeds the platform’s highly addictive For You Page. Here’s everything brands need to know about how the TikTok algorithm works, and how you can work with it in 2023.
Get our 2024 Social Trends report, and dig into the juicy data that’ll help you reach your goals in 2024—which is shaping up to be social’s best year yet.
What is the TikTok algorithm?
The TikTok algorithm is a recommendation system that determines which videos will appear on your (unique and highly personalized) For You page.
No two users will see the same videos on their For You page, and the videos you see might change over time based on your viewing preferences and even your current state of mind.
Here’s how TikTok itself defines the TikTok For You page algorithm:
“A stream of videos curated to your interests, making it easy to find content and creators you love … powered by a recommendation system that delivers content to each user that is likely to be of interest to that particular user.”
How does the TikTok algorithm work?
Social platforms originally kept their algorithms secret. This makes sense since the recommendation system is a proprietary technology that helps make each social network unique.
Algorithms are a key way social networks draw us in and keep us paying attention. TikTok doesn’t want spammers and other shady characters to be able to game the algorithm to get more attention than they deserve.
However, as people have become more skeptical about the inner workings of social networks, most platforms have revealed the basic workings of their algorithms.
Fortunately, that means we now know some of the key ranking signals for the TikTok recommendation algorithm, straight from TikTok—we describe them in detail below.
TikTok algorithm ranking signals
User interactions, video information, and device and account settings are the main factors that influence the TikTok algorithm.
1. User interactions
Much like the Instagram algorithm, the TikTok algorithm bases recommendations on a user’s interactions with content on the app. What kind of interactions? Anything that offers clues about the kind of content the user likes, or doesn’t like.
The For You page recommends content based on several factors, including:
- Which accounts you follow
- Comments you’ve posted
- Creators or sounds you’ve chosen to hide
- 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
- Longer videos you watch all the way to the end (aka video completion rate)
- Content you create on your own account
- Interests you’ve expressed by interacting with organic content and ads
2. Video information
While user interaction signals are based on the way you interact with other users on the app, video information signals are based on the content you tend to seek out through Discover or Search.
This can include details like:
- Captions
- Sounds
- Hashtags*
- Effects
- Trending topics
*if you want to understand more about how your TikTok hashtag strategy affects your reach via the algorithm, watch our video:
3. Device and account settings
These are settings TikTok uses to optimize performance. However, since they’re based on one-time settings choices rather than active engagements, they do not have as much influence on what you see on the platform as user interaction and video information signals.
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
What’s not included in the TikTok algorithm
The following types of content will NOT be recommended by the algorithm:
- 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”)
And here’s the good news for all new TikTok users, or those who haven’t yet built up a large follower base. TikTok does NOT base recommendations on follower count or on a history of previous high-performing videos.
Sure, accounts with more followers will likely get more views because people are actively seeking that content. However, if you create great content that speaks directly to your target audience, you have as much chance to land on their For You page as an account that has had previous viral videos (this includes even the biggest TikTok stars).
Not convinced? Here’s the scoop straight from TikTok:
“You may come across a video in your feed that doesn’t appear to … have amassed a huge number of likes…. Bringing a diversity of videos into your For You feed gives you additional opportunities to stumble upon new content categories, discover new creators, and experience new perspectives.”
Your goal is to be one of those new creators for your target audience. Here are 9 tips to help you do just that.
Get better at TikTok — with Hootsuite.
Access exclusive, weekly social media bootcamps hosted by TikTok experts as soon as you sign up, with insider tips on how to:
- Grow your followers
- Get more engagement
- Get on the For You Page
- And more!
9 tips for getting picked up by the TikTok algorithm
1. Find your subculture
It’s important to find existing communities to engage with on all social platforms. But the nature of the TikTok recommendation algorithm makes this an even more important step on the app.
That’s because unlike on other social networks, where people spend much of their time engaging with accounts they already follow, TikTokers spend most of their time on the For You page. And 70% of them say they feel like part of a community on the platform.
If you can tap into an existing community—or subculture—you’re more likely to be amplified to the right audience. Fortunately, TikTok subcultures gather around hashtags (more on those later). Some of the top communities on TikTok in 2022 were:
#BookTok
“The biggest book club on the planet.”
@metmuseum Story time with Chief Librarian Ken Soehner! Did you know The Met has eight libraries? #MuseumLibraryWeek #BookTok #LibraryTikTok
#CarTok
With 40.3 billion views, its safe to say this TikTok community is keen on cars.
@berrygroupbmw A sneak peak of the sounds of the brand new BMW i7. Combining electric performance and multisensory entertainment, this luxury vehicle produces an unforgettable driving experience. #bmw #bmwuk #bmwi7 #i7 #soundsof #soundsoftiktok #carasmr #asmr #bmwlove #bmwmotorsport #bmwelectric #bmwsoftiktok #msport #ev #electriccar #electricvehicle #asmrsounds #asmrvideo #asmrtiktoks #asmrsound #bmwi #newcar #newcarcheck #fyp #car #carsoftiktok #cartok
#FarmTok
A new generation of farmers and ranchers gives an inside look at farm life.
@samdracott_farrier #samdracottfarrier #asmr #farrier #oddlysatisfying #horsesoftiktok #learnontiktok #satisfying #farmtok #uk #horsetok #horses #equestrian
#CrochetersofTikTok
Crafters take their social media seriously, as evidenced by the 3.8 billion views of this yarny community.
@kutiecrochet New skull set out on Jan 6 😈😈 #crochet #skulls #crochetersoftiktok #skull #travel #crochettok #witchtok #witchy
Understanding your most valuable subculture can also help you create content that connects authentically with TikTokers, creating greater credibility, brand loyalty, and even more exposure. TikTok users want brands to take this approach: 76% say they like it when brands are a part of special interest groups on the platform.
TikTok’s Audience Insights can help you find your subculture by identifying the interest categories and hashtags most relevant to your audience.
Source: TikTok
To access Audience Insights, open TikTok Ads Manager and hover over Reporting, then click Audience Insights. Note that you don’t have to be a TikTok advertiser to use this tool.
2. Maximize the first moments
TikTok moves fast. This is not the platform to add an intro before you dive into the meat of your video. The hook for your video needs to inspire viewers to stop scrolling.
Grab attention and show the value of watching in the first seconds of your TikTok. Specifically, the first two seconds are critical for recall and brand awareness.
Crocs grabs your attention right off the bat with this… uh… Croc top? And things never slow down from there.
@crocs Why do you think Crocs are certified ICONIC? 📣 Sound Off 📣 #Crocs #CrocTok #fashion #iconic
3. Optimize for search
TikTok SEO is the new buzzword, and the TL;DR is that you want to make content for keywords and hashtags that people are searching for. This allows you to get your content in front of people who are actively seeking specific content on the platform, rather than just scrolling through the FYP.
TikTok recently expanded the maximum length of captions to 2,200 characters. That extra real estate gives you plenty of room to work with keywords that will boost your TikTok SEO. Start looking for trending keywords by region and industry in the TikTok Creative Center.
Of course, your caption’s not the only place to include keywords. TikTok can also pick them up from your voiceover or text overlay.
Want to learn more? We have a whole video on how to start up your TikTok SEO strategy:
4. Create high-quality videos specifically for TikTok
This should be an obvious one, right? Low-quality content is not going to find its way to the For You page.
You don’t need any fancy equipment — in fact, your phone is the best tool for creating authentic video. What you do need is decent lighting, a good microphone if you’re going to record audio, and some quick edits and transitions to keep the content moving.
TikTok videos can be 5 seconds to 10 minutes long, but TikTok says videos should always be longer than 10 seconds to make the best impression. That said, don’t go unnecessarily long. Video completion rate is an important signal to the algorithm, so you don’t want people to drop off from your video because it drags on and on.
For now, you need to shoot video vertically to succeed on TikTok. But the platform began testing a horizontal video option late last year, so stay tuned for potential developments on this front. Since it’s unclear whether horizontal video will become a full feature, stick to 9:16 filming.
Design your videos to be played with the sound on. 93% of TikTokers use the platform with sound on, and 88% said sound is “essential” on the platform.
And be sure to use TikTok’s built-in features like effects and text treatments. According to TikTok: “These native features help keep your content feeling native to the platform which can also help get it on more For You pages!”
The Washington Post might not seem like the most obvious brand to experiment with TikTok effects, but they’re killing it by using green screen backgrounds and quick cuts to make complex news stories easily digestible.
@washingtonpost Companies paying for data say these types of transactions — known in the industry as “zero-party data sharing” — benefit consumers who, until now, received nothing save targeted advertising in exchange for their data.
In particular, try experimenting with trending effects. TikTok identifies these within the effects menu.
5. Post at the right time for your audience
While this is important for all social media platforms, it’s particularly so for TikTok. Active engagement with your content is a key signal to the algorithm.
There are a couple of ways to find out when your audience is most active on the app.
1. TikTok analytics:
- From your profile page, tap the three dots icon at the top right of the screen.
- Tap Creator tools, then Analytics.
Source: TikTok
For more details, we’ve got a whole post on how to get the maximum benefits from TikTok Analytics.
2. Hootsuite best time to post
If you have a TikTok Business account (rather than a Creator account), you can use Hootsuite’s Best Time To Publish feature to get custom recommendations on the best time to post for your specific audience.
Check out our video on how to find the best time to post to TikTok for your account:
6. Engage with other TikTok users
21% of TikTokers said they feel more connected to brands that comment on other people’s posts. Keeping on top of the comments on your own videos is also key: 76% of users say that brands that post or reply to comments feel like part of the TikTok community.
TikTok recommends a “react, respond, and remix strategy”:
- React to trending content
- Respond to trending questions or prompts
- Remix trending ideas with creators
Duets, Stitch, and video replies to comments are great ways to engage this strategy.
Stitch is a tool that allows you to clip and integrate moments from other TikTokers’ content into your own.
Duets allow one user to record a “duet” with another user by commenting alongside the original creator’s video in real time.
And video replies to comments let you create new video content based on comments or questions on your previous posts.
Fenty Beauty consistently uses video replies to create videos addressing fans’ comments and requests, showing they’re paying attention to their user base and making people’s day in the process:
@fentybeauty Replying to @saleeeeena Daaaaas right, UK boos!! 🤎 #FENTYPARFUM is dropping EXCLUSIVELY in-store & online at Harvey Nichols TOMORROW❕#harveynichols #fentybeauty ♬ original sound – Fenty Beauty
The default settings on TikTok allow others to create Duets and Stitch videos using your content. If you want to change this for any particular video, tap the three dots icon on the video to open Privacy Settings, then adjust as needed.
You can also turn off these features for your whole account, but that would limit the opportunities for other TikTok users to engage with your content, decreasing discovery potential.
7. Use the right hashtags
To find trending hashtags, head to the TikTok Creative Center. Click on the Analytics button next to any trending hashtag to see a full breakdown of its popularity, including audience demographic details and related interests.
Source: TikTok Creative Center
Be sure to keep an eye out for hashtags related to challenges. Hashtag challenges are a good way to come up with new ideas for content while sending the algorithm some good trend vibes.
And take note: 77% of TikTokers said they like when brands “leverage trends, showcase memes, or start participatory challenges on TikTok.”
You can also focus on your specific audience and find the top 10 hashtags they interact with using the TikTok Audience Insights tool.
8. Use trending sounds and music
Two-thirds (67%) of TikTokers said they prefer brand videos featuring popular or trending songs. And, like we’ve already said, participating in any kind of trend is a good bet when aiming for the For You page.
So, how do you find out which songs and sounds are trending?
You can often get a sense of the latest trending sounds just by keeping an eye on your For You page.
But to get more specific, you can find trending songs by region in the TikTok Creative Center. Just like for trending hashtags, you can find analytics data like audience demographics and related interests. Note that this section of the Creative Center only includes songs, not user-generated original sounds.
9. Be real – and have fun
TikTok is not the place for buttoned-up, overly polished content.
- 65% of TikTokers say professional-looking videos from brands feel out of place
- 44% want to see “fun or entertaining” content from brands
- 71% say creator authenticity has motivated them to buy a product
- 64% prefer seeing everyday people in TikTok ads instead of celebrities
- 75% say brands’ TikToks should feel like a view into the brands’ and employees’ daily lives
- 77% like it when brands give a look behind the scenes or reveal more about themselves
TikTok users want to see brands experiment and have fun on the platform: 79% say brands should experiment with different topics to see what suits them best on TikTok.
Grow your TikTok presence alongside your other social channels using Hootsuite. Schedule and publish posts for the best times, engage your audience, and measure performance — all from one easy-to-use dashboard. Try it free today.
Grow on TikTok faster with Hootsuite
Schedule posts, learn from analytics, and respond to comments all in one place.
Become a better social marketer.
Get expert social media advice delivered straight to your inbox.
Christina Newberry is an award-winning writer and editor whose greatest passions include food, travel, urban gardening, and the Oxford comma—not necessarily in that order.
Read more by Christina Newberry
Related Articles
How to Create a Successful TikTok Marketing Strategy for 2023
Considering TikTok marketing for your business or organization? You’re not alone. Find out how to make the most of this new social network.
4 TikTok Analytics Tools That Do the Math for You
If your brand is new to TikTok, analytics can take some of the guesswork out of content strategy. Find out what kind of content your audience likes best.
How to Make Great TikTok Ads: The Complete 2023 Guide
TikTok advertising helps brands reach younger, content-hungry demographics. Follow these crucial tips and start creating your own winning TikTok ads.
50+ Important TikTok Stats Marketers Need to Know in 2023
Thinking about adding TikTok to your social media marketing strategy? These TikTok stats will help you tell the forest from the memes.
As an expert in social media marketing and algorithms, I have a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and functionalities of various platforms, including TikTok. My expertise stems from years of practical experience in managing and optimizing content for social media platforms, studying their algorithms, and staying updated with the latest trends and changes in the digital marketing landscape.
The TikTok algorithm is a dynamic and complex system that curates the For You Page (FYP) for individual users, providing a highly personalized experience. Understanding this algorithm is crucial for brands and content creators aiming to increase their visibility and engagement on the platform.
Here's an in-depth breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article about the TikTok algorithm and strategies for success:
What is the TikTok algorithm?
The TikTok algorithm is a recommendation system that tailors the For You Page (FYP) for users based on their interactions, preferences, and behaviors on the platform. It aims to deliver content that aligns with individual user interests, creating a unique and engaging browsing experience.
How does the TikTok algorithm work?
1. User Interactions:
- User interactions heavily influence the content displayed on FYP, including follows, comments, likes, shares, videos marked as favorites or 'Not Interested,' and video completion rates.
2. Video Information:
- Content elements such as captions, sounds, hashtags, effects, and trending topics play a role in the algorithm. Discover and Search interactions contribute to content recommendations.
3. Device and Account Settings:
- Settings like language, country, mobile device type, and selected interest categories influence content optimization but to a lesser extent than user interactions and video information.
What's NOT included in the TikTok algorithm?
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Duplicated content, previously viewed content, spam, and potentially upsetting content are not recommended. Follower count and past high-performing videos don't directly impact content suggestions.
Strategies to get picked up by the TikTok algorithm:
The article provides actionable tips to enhance visibility on TikTok:
- Find Your Subculture: Engage with existing communities using relevant hashtags.
- Maximize First Moments: Capture attention quickly in the initial seconds of your video.
- Optimize for Search: Utilize SEO techniques in captions and content to match trending keywords and hashtags.
- Create High-Quality Content: Emphasize authenticity, use native features, and create engaging videos.
- Post at the Right Time: Schedule posts when your audience is most active using TikTok analytics or external tools.
- Engage with Others: Interact with users, respond to comments, and participate in trends.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Leverage trending and challenge-related hashtags to expand reach.
- Utilize Trending Sounds and Music: Incorporate popular songs and sounds into your videos.
- Be Authentic and Have Fun: Show authenticity, experiment, and provide glimpses behind the scenes to engage users.
By implementing these strategies and understanding the TikTok algorithm's mechanics, brands and creators can increase their chances of reaching and engaging their target audiences effectively on the platform.
