How Does The Tiktok Algorithm Work? (+10 Viral Hacks To Go)

Everything you need to know about the TikTok algorithm, with more viral tips 🔥

Wondering How The TikTok Algorithm Works?

We share all the essential details and what you can do to get your videos to as many of you as possible. Are you ready to jump into the details? Read the full blog post below.

What is The TikTok Algorithm?

The TikTok algorithm is a comprehensive system designed to serve user content based on what is considered very important.

According to TikTok:

“The system recommends content by ranking videos based on factors – starting with the interests you express as a new user and adapting to things that show you don’t care either.”

Downloader: TikTok Video Downloader

How will the TikTok algorithm work in 2022?

Knowing that the TikTok algorithm is a complex system, many factors affect how users view your content.

Let’s break them:

User activity

The more engagements and views the TikTok video gets, the greater the chance it will be provided to a large audience. Positive statements include:

• Like
• Comments
• Share
• Rewatching

Topic (video info)

TikTok is good at categorizing content based on user interests, so a theme is an essential factor in achieving application potential.
TikTok identifies the topic:

• Caption keywords
• Music
• Hashtags
• Effect
• Content (e.g. video transcripts)

Place and language

The algorithm identifies the user’s device settings (including location and language) when deciding who might be interested in the video. These include:

• Location of the Posting
• Preferred language
• Mobile Device

Sound

If a video has trending audio or song, it will use an algorithm to categorize your content and show it to the relevant audience. Introducing popular audio is a great way to reach new audiences, as the algorithm shows your video to people already dealing with this trend.

“Not interested” Feedback.

The TikTok algorithm always tries to provide videos that are of great interest to each user and uses previous activity to find out:

• Videos you’ve marked “Not Interested.”
• Users you have hidden
• Videos you’re skipping.

The TikTok referral system (with some indicators more critical than others) means that each user is unique to you.

Factors that do not affect the TikTok algorithm

Some factors may not affect the ranking of the TikTok algorithm for your content. These include:

• Count on the follower
• If you already have old videos that work well

This means that even if you have a few followers or have not yet contributed to TikTok, there is still a chance that your video will become viral.

10 Ways To Hack The TikTok Algorithm in 2022

The TikTok algorithm constantly adapts, changes, and learns from user behavior. Based on everything we know about how the algorithm works, there are 10 ways to improve your performance and “hack” it for growth:

1: Hold your audience in three seconds

Because full video viewing is a strong indicator of importance, TikTok often favors videos that are easy to digest and have a smooth loop.

That’s why it’s important to engage your audience in the first three seconds.

With over 1 billion active app users a month, people want to have fun right away.

If videos have an interesting hook, viewers tend to end or even repeat it.

This type of user engagement signals the algorithm that people like the content and, as a result, needs to be shared with multiple users.

2: Focus on the niche

The more consistently you share videos relevant to your area, the more the TikTok algorithm will recognize your skills and begin delivering your content to the right audience.

Think about the content topics that best suit your audience. Are they beauty tips, dating tips, comedy sketches, reviews?

Once you’ve completed your niche, always add keywords to your headlines and video content. Give the algorithm everything you need to categorize your content.

3: Use Audio

Sound trends and TikTok are like a house on fire.

Since the TikTok algorithm avoids videos with trendy sounds, consider throwing yourself into trends while they are still hot.

4: Experiment with new TikTok features

TikTok is about testing water and testing new ideas.

Being a “beta” user of future tools can play a role in getting more involved with your content. Above all, TikTok emphasizes what tools and features you use to edit your video when it is published.

Watch for new features.

5: Use relevant hashtags

Like Instagram, TikTok Hashtags help categorize content and make it easier for users to find content.

But it is important to use relevant hashtags. Think of them as keywords – they will signal to the TikTok algorithm what your content is.

For example, if you are an Instagram marketing agency in India, you can use hashtags such as #instagramtips, #smmtips, or #socialmediamarketing. The inclusion of hashtags tells the algorithm, “Hey, TikTok, look here! Our account shares tips and tricks for social media marketing and shows our videos to users.”

And if you jump into a trend, make sure you use the appropriate trend hashtag in your name.

6: Colab with a Content creator in your niche

Social media should be social – that’s why it’s important not just to publish!

Responding to comments and starting a conversation with the same creators in your niche is a great way to increase your engagement, an important indicator for the TikTok algorithm.

7: Create accessible content

Making content available is another major hack in the algorithm and will make your content more attractive.

The easiest way to do this is to add text and captions to the screen.

The easier it is to access your video, the more people can see and participate in your content.

8: Find the best time to publish

While the TikTok algorithm ranks content based on factors, it is still important to place your most optimistic time.

Why? When you post when most of your community is online, you can instantly reach many people.

However, there is no universal time to place a TikTok – it will depend on the location of your audience and common practices.

The key is to think about when your audience is most active.

9: Create short videos

TikTok has been steadily raising video limits in recent years. First 15 seconds, then a minute, and then three minutes. And now extended the video to 10 minutes.

While this creates many opportunities for conversation or creativity, there is no doubt that 10 minutes is an extremely long time.

10: Do not delete old content

TikTok videos can become viral for days, even weeks, after being released.

So there’s a good chance that one of your videos will be placed somewhere on the For You page with a consistent posting cadence.

Example: DJ @koozebane published a PSY X mashup by Steve Lacy in 2021 and became viral months later in 2022.

And if one of your old videos gets stronger, you have a lot of the same content that users can browse and join. There is no sure way to “beat” the TikTok algorithm.

However, understanding how the TikTok algorithm works and following the hacks we share in this post will help you improve your strategy and increase your chances.

Consistency and building a strong position in the most efficient way to “hack” an algorithm can work wonders with your brand.