Welcome, TikTok users! Today we will be presenting yet another article on the famous app. And this time it’s a biggie – “How TikTok works?“
This is a question many of you must have wondered about while using the app, right? Well, don’t fret. We’ll answer this question too for you guys.
Let’s not waste any more time and get the ball rolling.
How TikTok Works?
The short answer? TikTok Algorithm
Phew. Roll credits!! See you next time!
Wait, what? you want to know more!?
Uh! I knew it. Sigh.
Alright, let’s take the plunge and explore how TikTok works in detail. Like, in complete detail.
Here you go,
Just like on other social media platforms, knowing the exact components that make up the algorithm cannot be known, but we have the next best thing available: research.
And Here Is What Our Research Tells Us About How TikTok Algorithm Works?
First Step
The first thing that happens when you upload a video is that TikTok wants to test the quality of it.
To do so, it shows your video to a small number of people – say, up to 400 or 500 people (varies from case to case). This is done over a probable two-hour distribution cycle.
This is done so that lesser quality videos are filtered out and only higher quality videos end up going viral.
But how do they decide which is a higher or a lower quality video?
Second Step
That brings us to the second point. Based on the response from these initial small numbers of people, TikTok decides whether your video is of high quality or not.
This “response” includes a number of factors that dictate the final outcome.
These factors are explored in-depth.
- Completion Rate
The completion rate seems to be the most important factor in deciding the response.
The number of people completes your video till the end, the more the algorithm will push it out to other users for viewing.
In this light, keeping your videos short – especially if you are a beginner – seems to be a wise option.
- Average time for which your video is viewed
The more time this group of people views your video, the more the algorithm will liken your video and eventually, spread it out.
- Number of likes, shares, and subscriptions will help you as well.
From what it looks like, 1 like out of 10 views seems to be enough to activate the algorithm. Keep 2 out of 10 views, just to be on the safer side.
Shares and how many people end up following you for future videos also play an important role.
- Other factors
Video and sound quality along with editing seem to be among other factors influencing your video’s status. These factors, if in your favor, will trigger the algorithm and push your content to more and more people in each distribution cycle.
Third Step
The same will happen in the third cycle as well and so on.
Congratulations! You’ve probably got a ton of views and followers by now, and probably taken a giant step ahead towards being in trending!!!
And this is how TikTok works. No need to thank us. Okay, okay, you can! Ha!
Conclusion
So, this was the step by step process/guide to enlighten you all as to how TikTok works?
The key to exploiting this knowledge comes down to, once again, making high-quality content. This is the golden rule of not just TikTok but life as a whole. High-quality content along with virtues like patience, determination, and hard work will be appreciated in the long run, if not in the short run.
So, buckle down and keep making those fantastic videos and let your imagination run wild. And then, sit back, relax and let the algorithms do their thing.
We hope now you understand how TikTok works and can exploit it to gain more and more followers. In case of any doubt, do message us and we’ll try to get back to you ASAP.
We’ll take this moment to end the article here and take our leave.
TikTok has many disadvantages, it can be used for child abuse and security issues, etc.
TikTok is popular because it’s easy to use and you can gain popularity by uploading your lip sync videos.
TikTok is bad for kids and teenagers because it’s very addictive and kids spending most of their time shuffling videos.