It’s very challenging for people to navigate and increase their chances of success in anything when they are unsure of how to go about it. Our digital interactions are no different. How can a business and a user get the full experience and succeed in an app if you don’t know how it works

TikTok Algorithm

The TikTok algorithm can assist you in navigating and increasing your chances of success in the app. It is a recommendation tool that controls which videos display on your For You tab. It is unique and personalised to each user and no two users will watch the same videos in sequence. The content you see may change over time depending on your viewing choices and interests.

What is not included in the Algorithm

• Duplicated content
• Content the user has already seen
• Content the algorithm has flagged as spam

If you feel as though you don’t have enough followers for your content to get on the For You tab? Or if you are wanting to create a TikTok account, but need time to grow your followers? No need to panic because TikTok does not make recommendations based on the number of followers or previous success with a popular video.

Yes, profiles with more followers are more likely to receive views since people are actively looking for such content. However, the main objective is to create outstanding content that resonates with your target audience, you stand just as much of a possibility as the greatest TikTok stars in landing on their For You page.

A variety of criteria go into making recommendations:

User Interactions

The TikTok algorithm makes recommendations based on how a user interacts with the app’s content. What kind of interactions are we talking about? Anything that reveals information about the type of content a user prefers or dislikes. This is just like how the Instagram Algorithm works.

• The accounts you follow
• Videos you have liked or shared
• Videos you have commented on
• Videos you have saved or/and added to your favourites
• Videos you have published
• Creators you have hidden
• Videos you have flagged as “not interested”
• Videos you have reported as “inappropriate”
• Video Information

Video information signals are based on the content you wish to view on the Discover tab, whereas user interaction signals are based on how you connect with other users on the app.

• Hashtags
• Sounds
• Effects

Device and account settings

TikTok uses these variables to improve your performance. They don’t have as much impact on what you see on the app as user interaction and video information signals because they’re dependent solely on a single settings selection instead of active engagements. 

• Language preference
• More possible to see content from people in your country
• Device type
• Categories you selected when signing up

How to navigate through the TikTok App?

The home page is separated by two tabs. Following and For You. The Following tab will allow you to view and scroll through content that has been shared by the profiles you follow. The For You tab will allow you to view and scroll through content that the Tik Tok Algorithm has picked for you.

The Discover tab shows a user or a business, all the hashtags, sounds and effects that are trending along with the number of videos that have been published using that specific interaction signal.

The Plus tab is where you upload your content.

The Inbox tab is where you get updates from TikTok to better your profile, suggestions of who to follow and users who have followed your account.

The Profile tab is where you can view the videos you have published as well as edit your profile.

Since you now have an idea of what the experience will be like for your business and its target audience, it is time for you to take the next step into this growing social media platform.

Still not convinced? Click here to read about the pros and cons of a TikTok business profile.

Or are you ready? Contact us today and let us help you kick off your TikTok business profile.

TikTok, the digital age is here.