Since its release in late 2016, TikTok has become one of the world’s most popular social media platforms. With an estimated 500 million monthly active users, it’s no wonder brands, and influencers are clamoring to find ways to break into the app and grow their following. But getting discovered on TikTok can be difficult – especially if you don’t know how the app’s algorithm works.
If you are reading this, you want more opportunity from the platform. Maybe you want to increase your following, or to get more than just a few hundred views? Or perhaps you want to increase your brand partnership opportunities? Whatever the case may be, don’t get discouraged, and keep reading!
We break down the top three tips to hack the TikTok algorithm and get people hooked on your content. But before we get started on your practical steps to implement, it is essential to learn how social media growth is directly correlated to the one thing we all have a forever love-hate relationship with - the algorithm.
The Tiktok algorithm … What is she, and why does she hate me?
First things first, she's the realest. All social media platforms are controlled by an algorithm of some sort. This word often makes creators anxious and overwhelmed, but it doesn’t need to, it's actually the best thing ever if you know how to use the algorithm in your favor! The Tiktok algorithm is simply a computer code that works on the app's backend to display content based on the users’ preferences.
TikTok is always learning your preferences, and those are constantly evolving. If you like five videos that show dogs playing in a park, TikTok's algorithm learns that you like dogs and parks and will show you more content related to those niches. It will also likely show you more animal content, in general, to analyze how you engage with the broader niche category.
On the flip side, if you immediately scroll past content regarding something like.. cookies… TikToks' algorithm might assume, "they DO NOT like cookies, don’t show more of that." It wants you to see what you want to see.
So appreciate the algorithm. Believe it or not, she does not hate you, and she's really trying to love you for the long term. She’s constantly learning from you and working hard to deliver what you like.
And let’s be honest, TikTok is probably doing a better job than your ex.
So there’s that #win
Not too long ago, the Tiktok algorithm switched to be heavily reliant on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Meaning, that highly searched topics show up first. This knowledge plays in your favor if you focus on using things like trending audio, video trends, viral topics, and high-quality hashtags. Higher SEO will earn you more views. More views ultimately get you more followers, more likes, and higher engagement.
So, let's learn how to manipulate the algorithm in our favor.
Tip #1. Post-High-Quality Content
Sounds basic, but high-quality content is the easiest way to grow. Now that doesn’t mean you need to have the best camera ever (although Tiktok does push good video quality, so make sure you’re using at least 1080p @ 60 Hz), but also high-quality content means understanding what goes INTO a TikTok.
What will people be drawn to?
What can you do well?
Let’s break that down.
First, let's start at the very beginning of the video, you must hook your audience in!
Most users will swipe or engage within the first 3 seconds of a video. That means you have three seconds to get your audience to engage with your content, or you lose a potential interaction or, worse - a new follower. If you lose them, you also decrease the average watch time on that video, and Tiktok's algorithm highly values watch time.
All videos will get pushed based on their overall watch time, no matter the topic. If most people watch till the end, you have a higher chance of popping up in users' feeds. If people are swiping before the video ends or very early on, your chances drop, and they can drop by, a lot a lot.
Three seconds is nothing. So that’s why you need to make sure you grab their attention immediately with the point of your video.
Ask yourself, why should someone watch this?
What is the point of this piece of content?
What's in it for them?
Focus on that in the beginning.
A hook could be eye-catching text on the screen, or it could be you asking a relatable question or an emotionally-rooted statement. Anything that is grabby and likely to get someone interested in learning more is your best option as your video "introduction".
Next, hop on the virality wagon by using trending content frameworks and trending sounds. Trending effects and sounds are a great way to get a viewer's attention. Odds are, they have heard the audio or seen the effect before, and will be more open to engaging with your content because of it.
Pro-tip, you can play with TikTok's algorithm and trick it into broadcasting your posts to a bigger audience even if you just add a trending sound at a minimal volume (great for monologue-type content). If you aren’t sure what sounds are currently trending, you can always search for "trending sounds" in the app itself, and a wide variety of options will pop up for you.
Also check out our Weekly Trends section, where we post all of the Trending TikTok and Reel audios for the week!
Lastly, focus on video length.
Accounts with under 500,000 followers should focus on videos ranging from a minimum of seven seconds to a maximum of twenty-five seconds, as this is where the bulk of users' watch times fall.
If you are seeing a steady increase in engagement and following, you can always test increasing your video length in 10-15 second increments until you get to longer-form content lengths.
The key is to split test and see how it performs against your shorter videos.
For accounts with over 500,000 followers, 40 to 60-second videos have a higher watch time.
Tip #2: Add Relevant Hashtags
#Hashtags are a great way to increase SEO. Like any other social media platform, TikTok allows viewers to search for who and what they want to watch or listen to. Relevant and highly viewed hashtags increase your chances of getting viewed.
You can go to the search bar and tap on Hashtag to look for trending keywords. Hashtags are sorted by the number of views, which can help you decide what to use on your post. It is a particularly effective tool if used correctly and can boost the number of views on your post!
But whatever you do, do not use irrelevant hashtags; it will hurt you in the long run.
We dive deep into the most effective hashtag strategies you need to implement right now in our NEW ebook:
How To Go Viral on TikTok and Earn Exponential Growth: Fall 2022 Edition
This book is based on hours of analysis and research and will truly save you HOURS of trying to figure out what will work for your account.
Snag a copy here - it's worth it.
Tip #3: Post At The Right Time
While your videos can be viewed at any time, certain times will increase your chances of being seen and engaged with by a larger audience.
There are things to consider when deciding the best time to post your content - general timeframes and the best time for your specific account.
In general, the best times to post on the app are from 9 am to 11 am, 1 pm to 3 pm, and 7 pm to 10 pm.
However, the best time to be posting is going to be when your posts do well. IE, the time most of your audience is online and scrolling. Since you want to ensure you’re reaching NEW followers as well, go back to your most viewed posts and note the times you uploaded them. Try posting at similar times. You will likely see a pattern.
We speak more in-depth about how to truly understand when the best time to post is for your account in our ebook.
TikTok Growth In a Nutshell
So, what does this all mean for you and your TikTok account? In order to increase growth on the app, it is important to understand how the algorithm works. Growth isn’t going to happen overnight. Many creators have so much potential but get intimidated by the platform that they never get to where they want to be. But not you – we have your back! Now you have three practical and proven tips to help you hack the algorithm and get people hooked on your content.
And if you are looking for more in-depth knowledge about the algorithm and how to make it on TikTok, be sure to download our ebook How To Go Viral on TikTok and Earn Exponential Growth: Fall 2022 Edition.
Get your copy here!
TikTok has the most significant potential to grow your creator career. You just need to put in the work to get there. We hope these tips help you achieve success on TikTok – just keep swimming!
