TikTok Algorithm Explained & Tips To Go Viral [Updated 2024]
When TikTok became a sensation in 2018, it was very easy to get millions of views and go viral. But nowadays, TikTok has a very strict algorithm, and it is not easy to go viral. But if you properly understand the algorithm and produce content accordingly, you still have a great chance to get millions of views and earn a lot of money.
With four billion downloads and over 1.5 million active users, TikTok has become a cultural icon in many countries. More than a social media platform, it has become a part of life. We live in a world where everything is weighed regarding the likes, shares, and followers on social media, and its contents define who a person is.
It is difficult to achieve overnight success on social media. It is funny to hear people say how to crack algorithms and increase the appearance of content on a For You Page, which displays viral content in TikTok. TikTok has a robust and complicated algorithm running in the background that is not easily breakable by its users. Plenty of other tips can boost the appearance of content on other users’ For You Pages.
How Does TikTok Algorithm Really Work in 2024?
The TikTok algorithm is intricate, as it doesn’t concentrate on a single element. Numerous reasons and influences contribute to why a video goes viral, garnering millions of views. TikTok has FYP which means For You Page, a separate algorithm that delivers interesting recommendations to your personal feed.
FYP is designed to show the shortlisted videos created by other content makers. This is the first page that appears when a user logs in, and the FYP may show videos of the users that you may not follow. This shortlisting is based on multiple factors. There are no shortcuts and unique algorithms to appear on other people’s FYP, but there are handy tips that can help a content creator get noticed.
Factors That Decide Your FYP
At least a few people believe the content in TikTok FYP is based on some kind of favoritism. However, the actual truth is that a user’s FYP is curated mainly based on three factors.
- The history of the contents a user has watched.
- The interests a user has stated while joining TikTok as a new member.
- The type of content you like to watch most often.
TikTok has an intelligent algorithm running in the background that considers factors other than those mentioned above.
- Device Settings: The TikTok algorithm monitors the device where it is installed, including the language settings, country and geographical location, device type, etc.
- Based on the Activities: Sometimes users prefer to share the content with others, Like the videos, and drop comments on certain content. TikTok algorithm monitors such actions and gives preferences for similar content appearing on your personal feed.
- Video Consumption Duration: The advanced TikTok algorithm prefers how long a user has watched a video. There are many interesting short videos that we watch 4-5 times and it is very positive signal because if users are watching the video more than once then it has a high probability to go viral.
- Other Factors: Following and unfollowing an account and reporting inappropriate content, are usually considered when deciding what appears on your feed.
Pro Tips To Go Viral on TikTok
The growth of TikTok has opened the doors to enormous opportunities. Everything in social media platforms like TikTok is decided based on the number of followers and content that has gone viral. The content appearing in the FYP in TikTok has much to do with making content viral, and there is no secret algorithm to shortlist content for FYP.
Intelligent script writing and video quality are key to making a TikTok video go viral. While there are no set rules for virality, most content needs patience and consistency to catch attention. Occasionally, videos may go viral by chance, but following a few strategic steps can improve users’ visibility on the platform.
Find Your Niche
People love to watch videos tailored to them. The right way to get noticed is to create tailor-made content based on a particular topic. For example, people who love technology trends follow content dealing with the latest technology. There are plenty of niches such as fashion, marketing, education, science and technology, movies, books, children’s videos, games, entertainment, history, and finance. A content creator must choose the right niche that suits their taste and create quality content.
Be Consistent
A creator needs to be active and consistently post videos on TikTok. TikTok advises its creators to post 1 to 4 videos per day. Creating multiple videos may affect the quality of creation, but the best practice is to post as much quality content as possible. If the content is high-quality and the posts are regular, it will automatically attract viewership.
Follow The Trends
People wish to follow trends; no matter what you prefer to be viral, you need to follow the trends. Follow trendy sounds, hashtags, and activities to be on the viewers’ radar.
Choose Keywords and Hashtags
This step is a synonym for the previous step. A content creator needs to use viral hashtags and keywords to get noticed quickly. SEO optimization algorithms will easily find trending keywords and lead to content on TikTok. Even Google has admitted that TikTok is also a very powerful search engine.
Make the Content Accessible
Ensure the video is accompanied by captions. Either include the captions manually or let TikTok add captions automatically. In the absence of captions, viewers who prefer captions may skip the contents.
Get the Attention
No matter what efforts creators put in, they have to get viewers’ attention as early as possible. Ensure there is something to hook the audience and keep them sticking to the content. Steps 3 and 4 are synonyms of this step.
Interact With The Audience
TikTok algorithms easily identify creators who are actively engaged with the audience. In addition to creating attractive content, a creator can collaborate with other potential creators to get attention. Entertain viewers who comment on the posts and take some time to appreciate their support.
Being a Pro Account Holder
A Pro Account in TikTok has many benefits. More than getting an authentic identity, it offers many services, such as videos lasting a long time, options for analysis, an International audience, trending videos, information when followers are online, and growth in followers.
Conclusion
In addition to its stardom, TikTok offers many business opportunities and a reliable source of income. The TikTok algorithm does its best to spread viral content to other people’s FYP, and there is no secret recipe for getting noticed.
Short, simple content quickly attracts a larger audience, with SEO and hashtags playing a key role. However, excessive irrelevant hashtags can damage credibility. While many seek attention, creators must remain genuine, ensuring their content maintains a minimum quality.
