TikTok started as a relatively unknown social media site in 2017, but since its launch it has risen to the top of the app store charts. There are now new TikTok influencers every day, and the app is being used by marketing departments across the board. TikTok’s meteoric climb to fame isn’t surprising, given the app’s extensive library of videos, streamlined design, and user-friendly recommendations.

Creators like Charli D’Amelio and Addison Rae may have found success on TikTok, but not everyone has had the same level of success. How can you be sure that your TikTok video will appear on everyone’s FYP? Learning the TikTok code. What exactly is the algorithm behind TikTok?

Read on to learn everything about the TikTok algorithm you need to know if you want to maximise your reach through TikTok marketing.

Evolution of TikTok

TikTok is the latest iteration of a platform that began as Musical.ly, and understanding it requires a look back at its ancestor.

A mobile application called “Musical.ly” debuted in 2014. Musical.ly’s layout was quite similar to the one used by the modern app TikTok. Users would make videos based on a snippet of audio they select. Music videos and audio clips frequently included individuals lip syncing and dancing to popular tunes.

When compared to now-giants like Facebook and Twitter, Musical.ly had a very modest user base. One cannot say that Musical.ly was a totally unknown software. Over 70 million copies of this platform have been downloaded by the end of 2016.

TikTok: How to Use It

New users may find it challenging to grasp the basics of TikTok’s interface. Knowing the ins and outs of TikTok and content creation is crucial if you want to conquer the app’s algorithm.

After installing the app and making a profile, you can start exploring everything that TikTok has to offer. When you launch the app, you can choose from five different sections:

Profile – which contains information about you. You’ll see the videos you make and like here. Your list of followers and any private movies you’ve posted will be viewable to you as well.
Mailbox – Your inbox is located right next to your profile. Communicate with other people through message and video sharing here. Your video likes and comments are displayed here as well as any other notifications you may have.
Innovate – Your screen should now have a black + sign in the middle. You can make your own TikTok by clicking the button. In this section, you can capture or upload video using your camera, as well as edit it by inserting audio clips and other special effects.
Seek Out – You can search for specific videos and individuals, browse by trending hashtag, or listen to audio clips on the explore page.
Page for you – TikTok’s for you page is the app’s shining moment and the focus of this piece. The FYP is a slang term for the main feed where videos from both your followers and others you don’t know will appear. Most people use the “for you” section, which displays viral films from all over the world, rather than the “following” section, which displays videos just from persons you follow.

Three primary aspects that affect TikTok’s algorithm

User interactions: A user’s interactions with a piece of content, such as a video they have watched, liked, shared, or commented on, are highlighted here. This also applies to any original works you produce as a creator.
Video information: Content of videos viewed and interacted with also plays a role in how you are shown related content. Hashtags, audio clips, and caption keywords all count.
Account settings: Finally, your FYP will also be affected by the parameters you have chosen for your account. Things like your location, the language you prefer, and the gadget you’re using to access the internet are all examples of this.

Tips for Making the Most of the TikTok Algorithm

Now that you know how the TikTok algorithm works, we can move on to discussing how you, as a TikTok user or content provider, can benefit from it. Get your video on the FYP by following these guidelines.

Hashtags

You may acquire a lot of views and likes on TikTok by using relevant hashtags. To increase your video’s chances of going viral, you can include trending hashtags in addition to the more common #foryoupage and #fyp. Using a popular hashtag that relates to your message could boost its effectiveness.

Trends

Following current fashions is a certain method to expand your fan base and boost your visibility, allowing you to make the annual best-of list. Most popular videos on TikTok will have a standard structure and all use the same song. Using the same voiceover for a similar trend on your FYP may be a good strategy if you want to attract more views.

Quality

TikTok’s algorithm favours videos that are both clear and of high quality. Filming in a well-lit area with a more recent smartphone is preferable if you want to make it onto the FYP. In the absence of a pre-existing sound effect, audio quality is equally crucial.

Analytics

TikTok analytics are a powerful tool for any creative who is serious about growing their audience. You can see when your followers are most active, what age range they fall into, and from which countries they are watching your videos by visiting the analytics page.

Interaction with other users

TikTok may be used in the same way as other social media apps for interacting with other users. You may increase the number of people who watch your videos and subscribe to your channel by interacting with other users, following other accounts, and reacting to comments.

Don’t disobey the rules

The app takes its community guidelines seriously because of the significant number of underage users (in comparison to other social media platforms). Avoid using any language or content that could be deemed inappropriate by the app’s moderators if you want your video to go viral.