In recent years, TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger generations. As the platform has grown from its beginnings in 2016, so has its algorithm changed and evolved to maximize user engagement.
This article will explore how the TikTok algorithm works in 2024 and discuss how you can leverage it to boost your TikTok marketing strategy.
What is the TikTok algorithm?
The TikTok algorithm has become a bit of a mystery to many users, with some believing that the app is simply randomly selecting what videos show up in their For You feeds. However, there’s actually an algorithm behind it.
An algorithm is generally a set of instructions for computer programs to follow in order to achieve a goal. And the goal of TikTok’s algorithm is to determine what videos should appear in users’ For You pages.
It turns out that several ranking signals influence these decisions.
How does the TikTok algorithm work in 2024?
The TikTok algorithm looks at different factors that help TikTok decide which videos should be featured more prominently in your feed, ensuring each user gets personalized recommendations tailored just for them.
Key ranking signals for the TikTok algorithm
As most social media platforms keep their algorithm a secret to remain unique, TikTok has recently released some critical information about the inner workings of its algorithm to help you learn how TikTok works.
Here are the three main ranking signals for the TikTok algorithm:
1. User interactions
User interactions is one of the main factors influencing how the TikTok algorithm works and ranks videos for each user. The popular short-form video platform leverages its proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm and checks users’ interactions on the app to organize content and determine what users see.
User interactions include:
- Accounts they follow and hide.
- The content they create.
- Their likes and comments on posts.
- Videos they fully watch (Video completion rate.)
- Videos they share.
- Videos they mark as “Favorites.”
- Videos they mark as “Not Interested.”
- Videos they report as inappropriate.
- Their interaction with organic content and ads.
TikTok’s AI algorithm looks at all these variables as it attempts to provide users with content they might be interested in.
2. Video information
Video information is another key ranking signal for the TikTok algorithm, which means the content users tend to seek out on the “Discover” tab.
Video information includes:
- Captions
- Hashtags
- Sounds and effects
- Trending topics
3. Device and account settings
Device and account settings users choose are the third key ranking signals for the TikTok algorithm.
These settings can be:
- Language
- Country
- Device type
- Etc.
What’s not included in the TikTok algorithm in 2024
TikTok’s algorithm uses the above-mentioned factors to determine what content should appear on users’ feeds. But you need to know that there are some users’ behaviors that simply can’t be factored into any algorithm.
Some of these elements are:
- Content that is duplicate.
- Videos that are already viewed.
- Videos that are flagged as “spam.”
- Content that is potentially upsetting, such as “legal consumption of regulated goods” or “graphic medical procedures.”
12 Tips for working with the TikTok algorithm
Contrary to what some may believe, users’ follower count or history of previous high-performing videos don’t have any effect on TikTok recommendations. Instead, the algorithm takes into account the factors mentioned before, such as user engagement and relevance, to determine which videos should be recommended to other users.
This means that even new creators can succeed on TikTok if they create content that resonates with their target audience and encourages them to engage with it.
To help maximize your reach and engagement levels on the platform, here are twelve tips for working with the TikTok algorithm:
1- Use a TikTok pro account
A pro account offers more features than a regular account, such as access to advanced analytics tools. This feature helps users get to know their audience better, increase their reach, and even make money on TikTok.
2- Complete your bio
Make sure your profile is complete and professional looking. Take time to finish your bio, add a profile picture or logo, and link any relevant websites or accounts. Also, enter your TikTok phone number and email on your bio.
3- Create relevant videos
Ensure that all of your posts are relevant and consistent with each other. Keeping a consistent theme helps users quickly identify what kind of content they will find in your profile.
4- Post consistently
The more content you post regularly, the more likely the TikTok algorithm will recognize and reward your efforts by promoting them to a wider audience. This means that if you want maximum engagement from your audience, consistency should be key.
5- Post at the best times
You should identify the best time to post on TikTok. Experiment with posting during different times of day or week to determine what works best for your account. This way, you can post at peak times when more users are online and more likely to engage with your content.
6- Use trends
Leveraging popular TikTok trends can help boost your brand awareness on the platform.
7- Leverage hashtags
Utilizing relevant hashtags can increase the chance of getting views from users that are searching for that specific topic.
8- Write engaging captions
Write engaging captions that capture users’ attention. Short captions can be just as effective as long ones, but make sure you include enough information for people to understand what you’re talking about.
9- Use popular music
TikTok algorithm rewards videos with catchy soundtracks, so think about what songs may appeal to your target audience when creating content.
10- Add effects
Adding visual effects like filters or animated GIFs will also make your posts stand out from the crowd and increase their reach.
11- Collab with influencers
Collaborating with a TikTok influencer whose audience aligns with your brand will help extend your reach and engagement among potential customers. TikTok influencer marketing can give you access to others accounts’ followers who may not be familiar with your brand.
12- Pay attention to analytics
Tracking TikTok analytics and engagement metrics such as likes, comments, shares, clicks, and views will help you understand what type of content resonates best with your audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the TikTok algorithm has changed drastically since it was first released in 2016. It has evolved from a basic interest-based algorithm to a complex system that adapts to user behavior and preferences. This means that by learning about the TikTok algorithm, content creators will have greater control over what their audiences see and will be able to reach larger audiences with tailored messages.
The TikTok algorithm is based on an AI-driven system that prioritizes specific types of content from certain users. To beat the system, you must first understand how TikTok works and what kind of content resonates with its users. This means paying attention to analytics, like engagement metrics and post frequency, and exploiting them for your own benefit.
A common issue for many TikTok creators is that their videos don’t get as many views as they would like. If you’re wondering why your TikTok posts aren’t getting enough views, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First of all, it’s important to understand that viewers are constantly scrolling through your content on the platform. You need to make sure your videos stand out from the crowd and capture your audience’s attention right away. Try experimenting with different strategies, such as creating engaging captions or filming creative visuals to draw people in. Additionally, use hashtags and trending topics so more people can easily find your posts.
TikTok videos can go viral anytime, even days and weeks after being posted. Creating a popular video on TikTok requires an understanding of the app’s algorithm. Usually, entertaining, creative, and consistent content with trends does well.
