Demystifying TikTok

TikTok the Global Giant

The TikTok algorithm is what turned the app into the global sensation it is today—and it’s also what makes it feel a little eerie at times.

TikTok’s success, with 1.2 billion active users, can be attributed to its highly personalized video feed on the For You Page (FYP). Imagine the FYP as your own custom TV channel that continuously adjusts to your preferences—even if you’re into quirky niches like ASMR gardening. (No wonder the average TikTok user spends 1.5 hours a day on the app!)

But while you’re enjoying your curated feed of #WaterTok clips, you might wonder: How does TikTok know exactly what to recommend?

If you’re curious about the magic behind TikTok’s algorithm (and want to use that knowledge to boost your own content’s reach), you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in—just as soon as I finish this last slime video.

What Is the TikTok Algorithm?

The TikTok algorithm is a proprietary system that decides which videos to show each user.

No two TikTok users see the same set of videos on their For You Page; it’s a highly individualized feed.  Plus, the content you see will change over time as the algorithm adapts to your evolving viewing habits.

Here’s how TikTok describes its FYP algorithm: “A stream of videos curated to your interests, making it easy to find content and creators you love … powered by a recommendation system that delivers content to each user that is likely to be of interest to that particular user.”

How Does the TikTok Algorithm Work?

Most social media platforms keep the inner workings of their algorithms under wraps, fearing that the wrong person could game the system.  But in the spirit of transparency, TikTok shared some key ranking signals for its recommendation algorithm back in 2020.  While it’s likely things have changed since then, TikTok has kept the rest of the details secret (very mysterious!), so we have to work with what we know.

Key Ranking Signals for the TikTok Algorithm

The TikTok algorithm is influenced by three main factors: user interactions, video information, and device/account settings.

User Interactions
Like Instagram’s algorithm, TikTok bases its recommendations on how you interact with content.  Every like, follow, or comment provides the algorithm with insights into your interests.  Here are some actions that impact your FYP:

      • Videos you’ve liked or shared
      • Videos you’ve added to your favorites
      • Videos you’ve marked as “Not Interested”
      • Videos you’ve reported
      • Interactions with ads and organic content
      • Accounts you follow
      • Comments you post
      • Creators or sounds you’ve hidden
      • Whether you watch a video to the end
      • Content you create yourself

Video Information
The algorithm also analyzes specific details about the videos you search for, such as:

      • Captions
      • Sounds
      • Hashtags
      • Effects
      • Trending topics

Device and Account Settings
While not as impactful as user interactions or video data, TikTok considers your device and account settings for optimization. These are one-time settings rather than ongoing behaviors, so they don’t have as much influence. Some of these factors include:

          • Language preference
          • Country setting (you may see more local content)
          • Mobile device type
          • Categories you selected as a new user

If you want to refresh your TikTok experience and reset your algorithm, go to Settings and Privacy, tap Content Preferences, and select Refresh Your For You Page.

What Doesn’t Affect the TikTok Algorithm

There are also certain things that the TikTok algorithm doesn’t factor into its recommendations:

      • Duplicate content
      • Videos you’ve already watched
      • Content flagged as spam (like videos attempting to artificially boost views)
      • Potentially disturbing content (like graphic medical procedures or regulated goods)

And here’s the best part: follower count doesn’t matter.  Whether you’re a newbie or a TikTok superstar, anyone can end up on someone’s For You Page, as long as your content resonates with the right audience.

TikTok says, “You may come across a video in your feed that doesn’t appear to have amassed a huge number of likes…  Bringing a diversity of videos into your For You feed gives you additional opportunities to stumble upon new content categories, discover new creators, and experience new perspectives.”

If you want to dive deeper into the algorithm, TikTok has a Transparency Center where those in policy, content safety, and cybersecurity can take a tour.  They also introduced a “Why This Video” feature.  Just tap the share icon on any video in your FYP and hit the question mark to get an explanation for the recommendation.

The TikTok algorithm is the key to the platform’s success, offering each user a personalized feed on the For You Page (FYP) based on their interests and viewing habits.  It  works by analyzing user interactions, video content, and device/account settings to recommend videos that are most likely to engage each person.  Key factors include the videos you like, share, or comment on, as well as the hashtags, captions, and trends in the videos you search for.  While TikTok keeps the specifics of its algorithm secret, it shared some ranking signals in 2020 that continue to influence recommendations today.  Importantly, follower count doesn’t affect how videos are recommended, meaning even new users have a chance to go viral.  TikTok also gives users the option to reset their algorithm if they’re not happy with their feed. Additionally, the platform excludes certain content like duplicates, spam, and potentially upsetting videos from recommendations.