TikTok algorithm explained: How it works & tips

TikTok has revolutionized how we consume and create content, making it a powerful platform for artists, creators, and businesses. Understanding its algorithm is vital to unlocking massive visibility and engagement. This blog unravels the complexities of how TikTok prioritizes content and offers actionable strategies to harness its potential.

Whether you want to monetize your art, grow your ecommerce online store, or amplify your presence as an artist or creator, mastering the TikTok algorithm is your first step.

• Understanding how the TikTok algorithm works is crucial to tailor your content for enhanced visibility and engagement.

• User interactions, video information, and device settings significantly influence TikTok's content prioritization.

• To leverage the algorithm, follow best practices like trending hashtags, relevant keywords, high-quality videos, and active engagement.

• To refine your TikTok strategy effectively, consistently update your content and analyze performance metrics. For example, analyze the metrics on previous high-performing videos and posts.

• Integrate Gelato with TikTok to seamlessly connect popular content with product offerings, boosting your online store’s reach to your target audience.

The TikTok algorithm is a sophisticated system designed to personalize user content by analyzing their preferences and interactions. The TikTok algorithm learns by studying behaviors such as liked videos, shares, follows, and watch time; it then curates a customized feed. This personalized experience increases user engagement and keeps viewers returning to the app.

The TikTok algorithm is a proprietary formula designed to keep users engaged by serving content that aligns with their interests. Let's break down the key elements of how this works: 

• User interactions: The videos you like, share, and comment on, as well as the accounts you follow, play a significant role. The algorithm tracks how TikTok users interact to understand better your preferences.

• TikTok video information: Video info includes captions, hashtags, and sounds. These elements help the algorithm categorize and serve TikTok videos to relevant audiences.

• Device and account settings: Your device type, language preferences, and location influence the content you see. However, these impact less significantly than user interactions and video information.

• Completion rate: How often you watch videos all the way through. Videos that maintain viewers' attention are more likely to be promoted.

• Content creators: A content creator's past performance can also affect how their new content is prioritized and shown to others.

To truly harness the power of TikTok for creating content, it's essential to understand its core algorithm components. These elements collectively determine which content is surfaced to users, shaping your chances of going viral. Let’s decode these intricate parts step-by-step.

User interactions

User interactions are crucial in determining which content surfaces on your TikTok feed. Here's how:

• Likes: TikTok considers videos that receive more likes more engaging, prompting the algorithm to share them with a broader audience.

• Shares: When your content is shared, it indicates to the algorithm that your video has value, increasing the likelihood of further promotion.

• Comments: Active discussions in the comments section boost your video's visibility. Encourage viewers to leave comments to create a buzz around your content.

• Watch Time: The algorithm favors engaging videos that hold viewers' attention until the end. Strive to create content that retains viewer interest throughout its duration.

• Followers: Gaining followers can help amplify your reach. TikTok will likely show your new videos to your followers first, and their interactions further boost your content's visibility.

• Video Completion: The algorithm rewards content viewers who watch from start to finish. This completion rate signals that your content is worth watching.

Video information

Video information is another crucial factor influencing the TikTok algorithm's decision-making process. Here's how:

• Captions: The algorithm scans words you include in your video captions for keywords and trending topics. This analysis helps TikTok categorize your content more accurately.

• Hashtags: Utilizing popular and relevant hashtags can make your videos more discoverable. The algorithm uses these tags to identify and push your content to a targeted audience.

• Audio: The kind of audio you incorporate, popular music, original sounds, or voice-overs, is analyzed for trends and user preferences. High-quality and trending audio is more likely to boost your video’s visibility.

• Visuals: TikTok assesses the visual aspects of your video, like the quality, clarity, and even specific objects within the frame. Higher quality and clear visuals generally perform better.

• Text overlays: Adding text within your video can also be effective, particularly if it aligns with trending topics or keywords, boosting the engagement and relevance of your content.

Device and account settings

Your device and account settings are crucial to how the TikTok algorithm serves content. Knowing what factors are involved can help you optimize these elements to enhance your visibility on the platform. They include:

• Language preference: The language you've set on your device helps TikTok suggest videos that are more relevant to you. If you speak multiple languages, consider setting your device accordingly to increase the variety of content you see.

• Location and country settings: TikTok often matches you with popular or trending content in your location, making your videos more likely to appear on the For You Page (FYP) of users in the same area.

• Device type: Whether you're using a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, the type of device can influence how TikTok prioritizes content. Higher-end devices might support better video quality, impacting viewer retention and engagement metrics.

• App version: Keeping your TikTok app updated ensures you have access to the latest features and algorithm improvements, enabling you to leverage new opportunities for content visibility.

Ready to make the TikTok algorithm work for you? Here are nine actionable strategies designed to help you boost your visibility, engage more deeply with your audience, and maximize your content’s reach on this dynamic platform.

1. Utilize print on demand for timely and trendy merchandise

One of the most effective ways to capitalize on the TikTok algorithm is to integrate print on demand (POD) services into your content strategy. Leveraging timely and trendy merchandise allows creators to respond quickly to viral trends and engage with their audience meaningfully. 

By producing custom products that resonate with your followers, you can enhance your brand presence and potentially open new revenue streams. Here's how:

• Quick turnaround: POD enables you to produce and update merchandise rapidly based on current TikTok trends. This agility can significantly increase your appeal and relevance.

• Cost-effective: With POD, you don't need to invest in inventory upfront. You only pay for what you sell, which minimizes financial risk.

• Customization: Tailor your products to reflect popular themes, hashtags, or memes currently trending on TikTok. This personalization can create a deeper connection with your audience.

• Expand brand reach: Unique and trendy merchandise can go viral, pushing your content and brand to a broader audience. This exponential exposure can lead to increased follower engagement.

Gelato’s print on demand (POD) solution seamlessly capitalizes on TikTok’s dynamic and fast-paced environment. Integrating Gelato with your TikTok strategy allows you to swiftly produce and update your merchandise to match the latest trends and themes. Gelato's platform allows for rapid production and global shipping, ensuring your products reach your audience quickly, no matter where they are.

2. Engage with trends and challenges quickly

Quickly engaging with trends and challenges can dramatically increase your visibility on TikTok. Here’s how you can ride the wave of trends effectively:

• Monitor popular content: Check the “For You” page and trending sections to spot emerging trends early. Acting fast can give you an edge over delayed responses.

• Use trending sounds: Include popular music or audio clips in your videos. The TikTok algorithm often favors content that uses trending sounds, resulting in heightened visibility.

• Join hashtag challenges: Participate in trending hashtag challenges, as this augments your chances of being discovered and connects you with a community of creators engaging in the same trend.

• Add your unique twist: While following trends, inject your unique style or perspective. Authenticity resonates well with viewers and can make your content stand out in a sea of trend-followers.

• Stay consistent and relevant: Regularly engage with new trends, but ensure they align with your brand or artistic style. Consistency in participation helps grow your follower base organically.

3. Optimize video captions with relevant and trending hashtags

Optimizing your video captions with relevant and trending hashtags is crucial for gaining visibility on TikTok. Here's how:

• Use accurate keywords: Integrate highly relevant keywords to your content, as this helps improve searchability and align your video with user interests.

• Leverage popular Hashtags: Capitalize on trending hashtags to increase your video's visibility. Participate in hashtag challenges to tap into more prominent, established audiences.

• Interactive captions: Engage your viewers by posing questions or challenges or telling a compelling story, encouraging comments and shares, and enhancing user interaction.

• Mix trending and niche hashtags: While trending hashtags boost visibility, niche hashtags connect you with a targeted audience. Combining both can optimize reach and engagement.

• Update hashtags regularly: The TikTok algorithm favors fresh and relevant content. To maintain relevance, keep your hashtags up-to-date with the latest trends.

4. Post content during peak engagement hours

Finding the right moment to post your content can significantly improve your engagement rates on TikTok. Here's how you can implement this:

• Experiment with timing: Not all audiences are active simultaneously. Post at different hours and track the performance to understand when your audience is most engaged.

• Use TikTok analytics: If you have a Pro Account, TikTok provides analytics that shows when your followers are most active. Use this data to fine-tune your posting schedule.

• General peak hours: Research suggests that the typical peak hours are between 11 am and 5 pm, but this can vary. Consistently experiment and adapt based on your findings.

• Weekdays vs. weekends: Engagement patterns can differ between weekdays and weekends. Monitor these patterns closely and adjust your posting accordingly.

• Consistency matters: Regularly posting during peak times helps maintain a steady flow of engagement and keeps you on your audience's radar.

5. Use high-quality video and audio to enhance viewer retention

Ensuring your videos have high-quality visuals and clear audio is critical for maintaining viewer retention and engagement on TikTok. Here are some practical tips to create captivating content with top-notch production value: 

• Clear visuals: Use good lighting and camera equipment to keep your video sharp and well-lit. Natural light can be your best friend, but consider investing in affordable lighting options if filming indoors.

• Crisp audio: Poor audio quality can be a major turn-off. Use a good microphone and minimize your background noise. Viewers should be able to hear you clearly without any distractions.

• Engage quickly: The first few seconds of your video are critical. Make them count by capturing your audience's attention immediately. Start with a compelling hook or an exciting scene to draw viewers in.

• Short and sweet: Aim to keep your videos between 15 and 20 seconds long. Shorter videos often result in higher completion rates, which the TikTok algorithm favors when deciding which content to amplify.

• Fun edits: Use TikTok’s editing tools to add music, effects, and transitions that enhance your video’s appeal. Creative edits can make your content more enjoyable and shareable.

6. Analyze performance metrics to understand what works

Exploring your performance metrics and understanding what resonates with your audience is critical to leveraging the TikTok algorithm. Here are some key metrics to keep an eye on: 

• Views: Track the number of views your videos accumulate to identify which types of content attract the most attention.

• Likes: A high like count indicates content your audience enjoys and finds engaging, which the algorithm favors.

• Comments: Evaluate the number and nature of comments to gauge how well your content sparks conversations and interactions.

• Shares: Content that gets shared widely can significantly boost your visibility and organic reach.

• Completion rate: This metric shows how many viewers watch your video from start to finish, signaling strong engagement to the algorithm.

• Follower growth: Monitor your follower count to see how your content influences long-term audience growth.

• Hashtag performance: Analyze which hashtags contribute to higher visibility and engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.

7. Encourage viewer interaction through calls to action

One of the most effective ways to boost your engagement on TikTok is by actively encouraging viewer interaction through strategic calls to action (CTAs). Here's how you can do this:

• Ask questions: Incorporate direct questions at the end of your videos to invite comments. For example, "What do you think about this design?" or "Which product do you prefer?"

• Create challenges: Encouraging viewers to participate in a challenge related to your content can increase shares and engagement. Don’t forget to use a catchy hashtag for your challenge!

• Prompt viewers to like and share: Asking viewers to like, share, or tag friends can amplify your reach. Simple prompts like "If you enjoyed this, hit the like button!" can go a long way.

• Use polls and stickers: To boost engagement, utilize TikTok’s interactive features, such as polls or stickers, in your videos. These tools help make your content more interactive and fun.

• Encourage duets and stitching: Invite your audience to create duets or stitch videos with your content, as this will increase engagement and expand your reach to new audiences.

8. Collaborate with other TikTok creators to expand reach

Collaborating with other TikTok creators is a powerful way to expand your reach and tap into new audiences. Here's how:

• Choose the right partners: Look for creators with a similar or complementary style to yours. Their followers are more likely to be interested in your content as well.

• Plan collaborative content: Discuss and plan your collaborative video ahead of time to ensure it aligns with both of your brands - this could be a duet, a reaction video, or a collaboration on a challenge.

• Engage with each other’s followers: When you collaborate, engage with the comments and interactions on both accounts, as this helps build a sense of community and mutual support.

• Promote collaborations: Don’t rely on TikTok’s algorithm; promote collaborative content on other social media platforms to maximize reach.

9. Regularly update content to keep your channel fresh and engaging

Keeping your TikTok channel fresh and engaging is crucial for maintaining and growing your audience. Here’s how you can keep your channel vibrant and dynamic: 

• Diverse content: Mix different types of content, such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks, and customer testimonials, to keep things interesting.

• Seasonal themes: Align your content with seasons, holidays, or current events to make your channel relevant and timely.

• Interactive elements: Incorporate polls, Q&A sessions, or challenges to engage your audience and invite participation actively.

• Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try new formats or themes. Fresh ideas can lead to unexpected successes and viral content.

Understanding the TikTok algorithm is crucial for any content creator or marketer aiming to harness the platform's full potential. By grasping how TikTok prioritizes content based on user interaction, video information, and device/account settings, you can tailor your strategy to enhance engagement and visibility. Whether it's through consistent posting, leveraging trending sounds, or engaging with your audience, these tips can significantly boost your reach on TikTok.

For businesses looking to amplify their brand presence with high-quality, custom merchandise, Gelato's print on demand offering perfectly complements your TikTok strategy. With Gelato, you can easily create and sell personalized products to your growing audience, enhancing your brand's appeal and driving additional revenue.

Don't miss out on this powerful combination—sign up for Gelato today and choose a subscription planthat suits your needs.