How to go viral on TikTok (according to TikTok)
A thread
A thread
1/ TikTok, a v popular but v opaque platform, wrote 1500 words about its recommendation system
Strong signals: watching a full video, sharing/commenting, following the creator
Weak signals: a user’s device, language preference, and whether user + creator are in the same country
Strong signals: watching a full video, sharing/commenting, following the creator
Weak signals: a user’s device, language preference, and whether user + creator are in the same country
2/ (not new info) TikTok pushes a new clip to a small focus group, then more widely if they engage.
If the feedback loop continues, voila, your video may go viral
If not, voila, algorithm purgatory
If the feedback loop continues, voila, your video may go viral
If not, voila, algorithm purgatory
3/ when power users/influencers/brands with large followings post a video, it’s bound to rack up views
*but* TikTok says neither follower count nor past engagement trends “are direct factors in the recommendation system.”
Corollary - it's a level-ish playing field
*but* TikTok says neither follower count nor past engagement trends “are direct factors in the recommendation system.”
Corollary - it's a level-ish playing field
