Understanding the TikTok algorithm in 2024 is essential for maximizing your reach and engagement on the platform. By creating native content, focusing on a niche, and understanding how the algorithm categorizes and promotes videos, you can optimize your TikTok strategy for better results. Whether you need to reset the TikTok algorithm or tailor it to your advantage, these insights will help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of TikTok.

How Does the TikTok Algorithm Work?

When you post a video on TikTok, reaching the right audience involves a complex journey orchestrated by TikTok's algorithm. Let's explore how TikTok connects your video with potential viewers who would enjoy it.

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Phase 1: Automated Screening and Categorization

Firstly, TikTok's Algorithm (TTA) begins by automatically screening your video. It categorizes it based not only on its content but also on factors like video description, location, language, sound, hashtags and flagging sensitive terms like "coup.” 

Videos addressing sensitive topics sometimes face temporary suppression, indicative of potential interference by detractors.

This initial categorization helps TikTok determine the initial audience to whom your video will be shown. While this process isn't perfect, especially for new accounts, TikTok adjusts by testing different audience segments to verify its categorization. 

Once cleared, the video enters distribution.

Phase 2: Account History and Engagement Analysis

For established accounts, TTA examines your past video performance and account credibility. It assumes your new video belongs to the same category as your previous content and targets similar viewers. For example, a video might be labeled under tags as disparate as "melatonin for sleep" or "quitting marijuana," reflecting its nuanced content.

This phase also assesses your account's overall engagement history to gauge whether your video should be promoted widely or narrowly. Even popular creators face limitations; a sudden shift in content style may confuse the algorithm, affecting reach.

Phase 3: Initial Audience Testing

Initially, TikTok exposes the video to a small sample of 50-200 viewers to gauge engagement metrics like watch time, likes, comments, and shares. These metrics influence subsequent distribution.

Phase 4: Scaling Engagement

Based on initial engagement, TikTok charts the video's trajectory:

• Exceptional Engagement: Videos with high engagement rates swiftly go viral, potentially reaching over a million views within a day.
• Moderate Engagement: Videos with good engagement rates slowly gain traction, reaching 100k+ views in a day.
• Steady Distribution: Videos deemed interesting but not viral gradually disseminate to followers and a broader audience.
• Limited Distribution: Poor engagement results in sluggish distribution limited to existing followers.

Notably, weekly view counts often fluctuate despite consistent content quality and engagement levels. This variance may relate to TikTok's internal credit scoring system, which could temporarily demote videos from FYP based on feedback and engagement metrics.

How to Crack the TikTok Algorithm in 2024?

1. The Importance of Native Content Creation

TikTok highly favors content that is created and edited directly within the app. Videos recorded and edited on TikTok are more likely to be pushed to the For You Page (FYP). This preference for native content is due to TikTok's aim to keep users engaged on their platform by promoting videos that utilize their in-app tools and features like text overlays and duets.

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💡Related read: YouTube Shorts vs TikTok: What’s Best for Short-Form Videos?

2. Personalized Discovery through the For You Page (FYP)

Discovery on TikTok is primarily driven by the For You Page, not by search. The FYP is tailored to each user based on their interests and past behaviors. According to a Reddit thread, TikTok employs various machine learning models, including graph theory, to identify interest nodes and map similarity profiles for each user. For example, if a user frequently engages with cat videos, their FYP will feature more cat-related content.

3. Content Categorization and User Interaction

The TikTok algorithm identifies the content of the video and decides to mass distribute it (or not) through consistent posting themes, video content analysis, and relevant hashtags. The algorithm also considers user settings like:

• Mobile device type
• Language
• Interested categories
• Location

4. Engagement Metrics and Viral Potential

Watch time reigns supreme among engagement metrics, influencing how TikTok prioritizes content. Shares and comments also contribute positively, whereas likes hold less weight.

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5. Importance of Niching Down

Having a niche is vital for gaining traction on TikTok. The algorithm needs to understand your content and target audience to push your videos effectively. For example, if you consistently post DIY content focused on home improvement, the algorithm will recognize this niche and promote your videos to users interested in similar topics.

6. Instructional and How-to Content

TikTok is currently favoring instructional and how-to content. These types of videos tend to perform well because they provide value to viewers. Longer, more detailed instructional videos often receive higher engagement, as they are more informative and useful to the audience.

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7. Unique and Original Content

Original content is highly valued on TikTok. The platform is strong on promoting content that is unique and authentically created by the user. Mixing clips from different sources or duplicate content may not perform as well as purely original videos.

8. Insights from TikTok Directives

TikTok explicitly guides creators on video types that boost visibility, such as regular live sessions and posting frequently. Embracing these directives significantly enhances reach beyond conventional uploads.

9. Format Matters

Horizontal videos repurposed for vertical formats often suffer immediate swipes, leading to diminished viewer retention. Crafting content tailored for TikTok's vertical orientation is crucial for engaging your audience effectively.

10. Utilizing Subtitles for Enhanced Engagement

Effective subtitle strategies, such as using clear, fast yellow text, enhance viewer retention. Platforms like vidyo.ai offer customizable AI subtitles, ensuring sustained engagement through accessible content consumption. A combination of AI subtitles, clickbaity hooks, and trending music helped our customer and travel content creator, Jack Torr, gain 5.5M views on TikTok!

11. Establishing Brand Consistency

Consistency in content style and quality reinforces viewer expectations and loyalty. Introducing recognizable triggers at the start of your videos can strengthen brand identity and foster long-term viewer retention.

💡Related read: How Businesses Can Set Up TikTok Shop to Drive Product Sales

12. Employ SEO

TikTok goes beyond mere suggestions by offering tools that empower creators to stay ahead of trends. They provide trending hashtags through their hashtag insights and trending sounds via their music insights. Additionally, they offer a free keyword research tool tailored specifically for optimizing content within the app, emphasizing the importance of SEO.

Using keywords in captions, on-screen text, thumbnails, and hashtags makes your content more discoverable by the TikTok search engine. Tools like vidyo.ai auto generate search engine optimized AI captions relevant to your niche.

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💡Related read: 2024 TikTok SEO: 11 Tips for Better Reach + Free Tool

13. Embrace Trending Themes and Songs

Keeping up with TikTok trends can be challenging, but integrating popular audios and concepts into your content enhances relatability and authenticity. TikTok thrives on entertainment, so merging trends with your unique style can create engaging, memorable content. Utilizing trending songs recommended by TikSight can help you ride the wave of current trends effectively.

14. Utilize Effects and Templates

Explore TikTok’s variety of editing tools, effects, and templates to craft visually stunning short-form videos. These resources are invaluable for creating compelling content that captures audience attention. 

15. AR Magic Show

Enhance your videos with augmented reality (AR) to captivate your audience. Imagine not just dancing but interacting with holographic elements like unicorns, creating a visually enchanting experience. Leveraging AR can transform your content into a captivating spectacle that stands out on TikTok.

16. Collaborate for Success

Collaborating with other TikTok creators, especially influencers in your niche, expands your reach and introduces your content to new audiences. By partnering with others, you can create unique, engaging content that resonates with TikTok's diverse user base.

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17. Join the TikTok Creativity Program

Joining the TikTok Creativity Program provides creators with invaluable resources, insights, and support to maximize their creative potential. Gain early access to new features, personalized content recommendations, and participate in trending challenges and campaigns. This program equips you with the tools to optimize your content strategy and increase your chances of viral success on TikTok.

18. Timing Matters

Effective timing can significantly impact your TikTok performance. For instance, @Tastemade's strategy of posting "bite-sized recipes" during US commuter hours skyrocketed their follower count. Similarly, @rosssmith's scheduled posting of comedy videos during relaxed evening hours in the UK optimized viewer engagement and retention.

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Read our guide on the best time to post on TikTok to unlock global optimal posting times for different industries and niches. 

19. Trends and Challenges

Engaging with TikTok trends and challenges boosts visibility. Monitor the Discover page for emerging trends, join early to maximize exposure, and add your unique twist to stand out in crowded feeds.

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20. Creating Your Own Trend

Innovative content ideas can set you apart on TikTok. Develop unique concepts, promote them through your videos, and engage with participants to foster community and momentum around your trend.

21. The Power of Storytelling

Crafting narratives in your TikTok content enhances viewer engagement. Structure your videos with clear beginnings, middles, and ends, evoke emotions through humor or inspiration, and share authentic stories to connect deeply with your audience.

22. Embrace Community Engagement

Building a strong community on TikTok involves creating content that resonates with your audience's interests and engaging with other users. Active participation in TikTok communities like #BookTok and #CleanTok can enhance brand visibility and loyalty.

23. Crafting Attention-Grabbing Hooks

Capturing viewer attention within the first few seconds is crucial on TikTok. Use compelling visual and verbal hooks to draw viewers in quickly and increase engagement rates.You can take inspiration from our viral hooks videos on YouTube to create compelling hooks for TikTok.

How to Reset TikTok Algorithm

Sometimes users may find that their TikTok feed no longer aligns with their interests. Resetting the algorithm can help in rediscovering content that better matches their current preferences.

Steps to Reset the TikTok Algorithm

1. Clear Cache and Data: Go to your TikTok app settings, clear the cache, and data. This action will reset the app’s temporary data.
2. Engage with Desired Content: Start interacting with content you want to see more of by liking, sharing, and commenting on those videos.
3. Unfollow Accounts: Unfollow accounts that no longer interest you and follow new ones that align with your current preferences.

How to Change TikTok Algorithm

To change the TikTok algorithm in your favor, you need to focus on creating content that appeals to your target audience. Here are some tips:

1. Consistency in Niche: Stick to a specific niche. The algorithm needs to understand your content type and who would be interested in it.
2. Quality over Quantity: Ensure your videos are high quality and engaging. The algorithm prioritizes videos that retain viewers.
3. Use of Trending Sounds and Hashtags: While hashtags might not be the strongest predictors, they still help in categorizing your content. Using trending sounds can also boost your video's visibility.

Conclusion

Understanding the phases of TikTok's algorithm—from initial screening to audience testing and scaling engagement—provides invaluable insights for optimizing your video strategy. Whether you're aiming to reset the algorithm for personalized content discovery or maximize viral potential through effective engagement metrics, start using vidyo.ai to create, edit, manage, schedule and publish your TikToks - all in one place.