The TikTok app is known for having the most powerful organic algorithm on social networks. The strength of its algorithm lies in its ability to recommend highly personalized and addictive video content to each of its users. However, the mystery remains, or almost, around how it works. It is obvious that TikTok is now an essential channel for brands in their marketing strategy. Understanding the algorithm is therefore essential to successfully develop their visibility and sales. As a TikTok agency , we are deciphering all the secrets of this algorithm for you today.
What is TikTok’s “For You” algorithm?
The TikTok app is based on a “recommendation” algorithm. In simple terms, the algorithm will identify the most relevant videos for you to watch in order to provide you with a personalized and captivating experience. When you launch the app, you are immediately directed to the “For You” tab, which is the heart of the experience. This is where the algorithm comes into play, offering you an uninterrupted stream of vertical videos carefully selected to match your preferences and consumption habits. It is important to note that each “For You” feed is unique . It reflects your personal preferences, so your video recommendations will be different from those of your friends, family, or loved ones. This deep personalization is what makes TikTok so captivating for millions of users around the world.
An algorithm that adapts to your preferences
One of the most impressive aspects of TikTok’s algorithm is its ability to constantly evolve with you. It takes into account your changing moods, tastes, and current desires. As a result, your “For You” feed can evolve in real time, continually surprising you with videos that match your current interests.
Decoding how the TikTok algorithm works
TikTok video made for the Cheerz brand.
@soodeco DIY photo wall ??????? As you know, I love DIYs and I love being able to integrate them into my interior. So when @cheerz offered to print my wedding and vacation photos to create a photo wall, I said YES (again)! Do you like the idea? Business collaboration. #wedding #love #wife #husband #wedding2023 #bride2023 #cassis #isaidyes #shesaidyes #bridetobe #fiançailles #mariage #couplegoal #weddinginspiration #jaiditoui #coupletime #couplegoals #blogueuse #amoureux #churchwedding ? original sound – soodeco
Many people are wondering how they can get featured in TikTok’s For You tab , and it’s a perfectly understandable question. The For You tab represents a golden opportunity for exposure and awareness , giving anyone the chance to be discovered by a wider audience. According to TikTok , the For You tab is “ a unique feature on TikTok that uses a personalized recommendation system to help each member of the community discover a wide range of content, creators, and topics .” TikTok has revealed some of the many elements that influence its algorithm’s recommendation process, and we’re going to break them down to understand how you can maximize your chances of being featured in the For You tab.
What factors does the TikTok algorithm consider?
Viewer engagement and interactions
In order to provide the most relevant content to users, TikTok’s algorithm naturally relies on the interests and signals shown by users. It takes into account a multitude of data to refine its recommendations:
- TikTok Accounts and Creators Followed
- Videos you liked
- The comments you posted
- The videos you shared
- Videos added to favorites
- Hidden or blocked videos and accounts
- Videos marked as “Not interested”
- Sounds added to favorites
- Hashtags viewed
- The content you post
- The duration of the video viewing
- The number of re-views
- The lives you participate in
Be aware that the more you interact with a video (by watching it in full, liking it, commenting on it, etc.), the more likely the algorithm will be to suggest related or similar content to you.
The points system
TikTok video made for the Manucurist brand.
@albane_napoleone @Manucurist -15% with the code NAILSALBANE ? #freeproducts #paidpartnership #manicure #manicurist #ledvarnish #nailvarnish #nailvarnishtutorial #nails #nail ? Dandelions (slowed + reverb) – Ruth B. & sped up + slowed
To give your organic videos the chance to shine and be highlighted by TikTok’s algorithm, the platform has reportedly implemented a point allocation system based on the engagement generated by your videos, according to Hubspot . Here are the 30 points awarded based on each interaction: 10 Points – The rewatch rate of a video : Since these are short videos, Internet users who adhere to your content can watch your videos again and again. And this is precisely what is valued by the TikTok algorithm. 8 Points – Video completion rate: This is the viewing time, the more time Internet users spend watching your video, the more it is valued. You must therefore encourage your Internet users to stay until the end to access a large audience. 6 Points – The number of shares of a video: Those who like your content will want to share it with their loved ones, and this metric is important in the eyes of the algorithm because it allows you to bring more viewers to the application. 4 Points – The number of comments on a video : Encourage your audience to leave comments, and the best way is obviously to ask questions. As a bonus, this will also allow you to better understand your target through exchanges. 2 Points – The number of likes a video has: This is definitely the easiest to get, hence the low number of points awarded, but you still need to create quality content. To better understand how this scoring works, it is important to keep in mind that today TikTok is a platform where authenticity and above all creativity are the key words. We are in the era of “Content First” on TikTok, which means that the number of followers is not a determining criterion for the algorithm, unlike other social networks.
Our tips:
To succeed on TikTok, you must follow very specific steps in creating your videos (hook, tone, editing, duration, sound, subtitles, texts, CTA, etc.). We detail all the steps in an article, to help you break through on TikTok .
The process of promoting a TikTok video
When you post a video on TikTok, the algorithm will initially show it to a limited audience. You will therefore receive a share of views from the “For You” tab and from your subscribers. If it generates interest and generates enough engagement points, it will be distributed more, and so on. On the other hand, if your video fails to generate enough engagement points, it risks seeing its views freeze and never take off.
The information in the video
TikTok video made for the Bayard Jeunesse brand.
@mamandedeuxcrapules Do you remember these magazines? ? @Bayard Jeunesse #bayardjeunesse #youthpress #readwhatpleasure ? original sound – Mamandedeuxcrapules
To promote ultra-personalized content to users, TikTok’s algorithm will also identify all the elements present in the video to categorize its content:
- Captions: These are the text boxes that appear in the video
- Descriptions: Located above the hashtags and can be up to 2200 characters long
- Subtitles: The written transcription of what is said orally by the creator
- Hashtags: Using hashtags on TikTok is mandatory, otherwise the algorithm won’t know who you’re talking to.
- Sound: Music is a top priority. Trendy sounds can make your videos more dynamic, but more importantly, they can help you use this virality to get more views.
Our tips:
The keywords present in your videos will play a major role in the indexing and recommendation of your videos on the “For You” page and on the TikTok search engine. It is important to take into account that 40% of Gen Z prefers to search on TikTok rather than on Google. So, to help you optimize and categorize your videos, read our complete article on TikTok SEO .
Device and account settings
They play a less important role in the algorithm’s recommendations, but are still essential to consider to fully understand how the TikTok algorithm works:
- Country : Your location or the default country in your app may influence the types of content you see. TikTok may prioritize videos that are popular in your area or that are relevant to your current location.
- Language : The language you use on TikTok can also influence recommended content. The algorithm may favor videos in the language you set.
- Device type : The type of device you use to access TikTok may impact the videos you see.
While these factors aren’t as critical as other aspects of user engagement, they still help make your TikTok experience more relevant.
Items that are ineligible for the TikTok algorithm’s “For You”
Conversely, TikTok has listed all the content that is not eligible for the “For You” tab. The algorithm will therefore not recommend these types of content:
- Content from creators under 16 years old (indicated on their account)
- Dangerous activities and challenges (stunts, extreme sports)
- Sexual content
- Shocking content (accidents, injuries, etc.)
- Content promoting disinformation
- Non-original content and QR codes
- Civic and electoral integrity
- Alcohol, tobacco and drugs
Do you want to be supported in your strategy on TikTok? Our TikTok agency supports you in the creation of your content.
By Nathan Elmaleh
