How The TikTok Algorithm Works in 2024

TikTok has quickly become one of the most influential social media platforms, thanks in part to its highly sophisticated algorithm.

In 2024, this algorithm continues to drive what you see on your For You Page (FYP), making it a crucial tool for both creators and users alike. In this post, we’ll dive into how the TikTok algorithm works today, its evolution over the years, and tips on how you can use it to your advantage.

The Origins of the TikTok Algorithm

TikTok’s algorithm can trace its roots back to its predecessor, Musical.ly, which was acquired by ByteDance in 2017. Initially, the algorithm was designed to recommend short-form videos based on user interactions and preferences. Over time, however, TikTok’s engineers overhauled the system, leading to the highly personalized FYP that users have come to know and love.

How the TikTok Algorithm Works in 2024

In 2024, TikTok’s algorithm is one of the most advanced content recommendation systems on the market. It works by considering a wide range of factors to determine which videos should appear on your For You Page (FYP). This system continuously adapts to your behavior, making it increasingly personalized over time. Let’s dive deeper into the most important factors that influence what you see on TikTok in 2024:

1. User Interactions

One of the key elements of the TikTok algorithm is how it tracks and interprets user interactions. This data helps the platform understand what type of content you enjoy and what you’re likely to engage with. Here’s a breakdown of the different ways TikTok tracks user interaction:

• Likes, Comments, and Shares: When you engage with a video by liking, commenting, or sharing it, the algorithm takes note of this as a signal of your interest. This behavior tells TikTok that you’re more likely to enjoy similar content in the future. Shares, in particular, help content spread across the platform and can signal to TikTok that the video has a broader appeal.
• Videos Watched to Completion: The more you watch a video all the way to the end, the stronger a signal it sends to TikTok that you found the content engaging. A high completion rate increases the chances of similar content being recommended to you, as it suggests that the content is valuable enough to hold your attention.
• Content Creation: TikTok doesn’t just track how you engage with other creators’ content. It also monitors the content you post. The videos you create can help fine-tune your FYP by making it more likely to recommend similar types of videos to you. If you post a lot of dance videos, for example, the algorithm may show you more dance content, and videos with similar styles or themes may appear on your feed.
• Accounts You Follow: Following specific accounts signals to TikTok that you’re interested in the type of content those creators produce. The platform uses this data to recommend more videos from accounts you haven’t yet followed but might enjoy based on your follower activity.
• Videos You Save or Mark as Favorites: When you save a video or mark it as a favorite, it tells TikTok that you want to revisit it later. The algorithm interprets this as a strong indicator of interest and will likely recommend more similar videos based on this behavior.

2. Video Information

The TikTok algorithm doesn’t just track how users engage with content; it also analyzes the content itself. Understanding the details of each video helps TikTok categorize and recommend it to the right audience. Here are the key aspects of video information that the algorithm takes into account:

• Captions and Hashtags: The text you include in your captions plays an important role in how TikTok categorizes your video. Hashtags, in particular, help categorize content by topic, making it easier for the algorithm to match videos with viewers interested in those themes. Using relevant hashtags increases the chances that your video will show up in front of the right audience. For example, a video tagged with #fashionhaul might be shown to users interested in fashion.
• Sounds and Music Used: TikTok is a platform driven by music and audio trends. The sounds or songs used in a video influence how it gets recommended. If a video uses a trending song or sound, it may be favored in the algorithm and recommended to more users, especially if that sound is trending in your region.
• Effects or Filters Applied: TikTok also considers the special effects and filters you use in your videos. While not as important as other elements, using popular filters or effects can help increase visibility, as certain trends emerge around specific visual styles. For example, a viral filter might prompt the algorithm to recommend videos that use that same filter.
• Video Length: TikTok allows videos of varying lengths, from short 15-second clips to longer 10-minute videos. However, the algorithm tends to favor shorter videos (between 15 and 60 seconds) because they are easier to consume and more likely to be watched in full. Longer videos may still appear on your FYP, but shorter, snappier content tends to be more engaging for most viewers.

3. Device and Account Settings

Beyond user engagement and video content, the TikTok algorithm takes into account your device and account settings to further personalize your experience:

• Language Preference: If your account is set to a specific language, the algorithm will prioritize content in that language. This helps ensure that the videos you see are relevant to your cultural and linguistic context.
• Country Setting: Your location plays a role in what content gets recommended. TikTok’s algorithm gives more weight to videos from users in your geographic region. This helps you discover local trends, challenges, and creators, and it’s especially important for TikTok’s efforts to promote locally relevant content.
• Device Type: Although this factor doesn’t have as big of an influence as the others, the type of device you’re using (i.e., Android or iOS) can affect how content is delivered. TikTok may also use device information to optimize your experience, such as adjusting video quality based on your device’s capabilities.
• Categories of Interest: When you first sign up for TikTok, you’re asked to select categories that interest you, such as food, fashion, or gaming. These initial preferences help the algorithm get a sense of what you might like. Over time, however, these preferences evolve as the algorithm learns from your ongoing activity.

4. Content Quality and Popularity

Ultimately, TikTok wants to show users the best, most engaging content, so the platform also looks at how well a video is performing across a wider audience. Here are some of the key metrics TikTok uses to gauge content quality:

• Engagement Rate: The number of likes, comments, and shares a video receives tells TikTok how well it’s performing. High engagement signals on TikTok that the video is interesting, entertaining, or valuable, prompting the algorithm to push it to more users.
• Completion Rate: Videos that are watched all the way through, especially those with a high completion rate, are likely to be shown to more users. TikTok favors content that keeps viewers interested enough to watch it until the end, which suggests that it resonates with audiences.
• Virality Potential: The algorithm is on the lookout for videos that are rapidly gaining traction. When a video experiences a sudden surge in views or engagement, it signals that the content is resonating with viewers, which could indicate viral potential. TikTok tends to amplify videos that are quickly growing in popularity, helping them reach a larger audience.

TikTok Algorithm Changes

Since TikTok’s launch, the algorithm has gone through some significant updates:

• Increased Personalization: The algorithm has become better at tailoring content to individual user preferences, offering more curated FYPs.
• Content Diversity: TikTok is working to ensure that users are exposed to a wider variety of content, avoiding “filter bubbles” where users only see similar types of videos.
• Emphasis on Original Content: The platform now favors original videos over content shared from other platforms or reposted from elsewhere.
• Improved Moderation: TikTok has made strides in filtering out inappropriate content through enhanced content moderation.
• Local Content Boost: The algorithm now places more importance on content created by users in your geographic region, helping to promote more locally relevant videos.

Make sure to look at this YouTube video from Robert Benjamin, to learn about the latest TikTok algorithm changes, and how you can grow faster on TikTok to monetize your account:

How to Customize Your For You Page

Your For You Page (FYP) is one of the most powerful features on TikTok, as it curates content specifically for you based on your interactions with the app. If you want your FYP to show more content that matches your personal preferences, there are several ways you can fine-tune the algorithm. By being intentional with your actions and engagement, you can help TikTok understand what you like and improve the recommendations it delivers.

Set Your Categories and Preferences

When you first create an account on TikTok, the app asks you to select categories of interest. These initial selections help TikTok understand what kind of content you’re likely to enjoy. While these preferences are a good starting point, they’re just the beginning of your FYP customization journey. Here’s how you can further refine your feed:

• Engage with Content You Enjoy: The more you engage with content that aligns with your interests, the better the algorithm can understand what you’re into. When you see a video that you like, make sure to interact with it by liking, commenting, or sharing. This reinforces the idea that you want to see more similar content. Over time, your FYP will become more tailored to your tastes based on the types of videos you engage with most.
• Use the “Not Interested” Feature: TikTok allows you to remove content you don’t want to see with the “Not Interested” feature. If a video shows up on your FYP that doesn’t resonate with you—whether it’s the topic, creator, or just not something you’re interested in—you can simply tap the three dots on the video and select “Not Interested.” This signals to the algorithm that you’d prefer to see less of this type of content, and TikTok will adjust future recommendations accordingly.
• Follow Accounts That Produce Content You Like: Following accounts that consistently post content you enjoy is one of the most effective ways to tailor your FYP. TikTok will prioritize videos from accounts you follow, so regularly following creators who align with your interests will shape the type of content you see. This is especially useful if you want to discover new creators or niche topics that you may not have otherwise come across.

Customize Through Actions

Your interactions on TikTok play a direct role in customizing your FYP. These actions send important signals to the algorithm about your preferences, so being mindful of how you engage with content is key. Here’s how to take control of your feed:

• Watch Videos You Enjoy All the Way Through: TikTok rewards content that keeps you engaged, so watching a video in its entirety signals to the algorithm that you enjoyed it. The completion rate of a video is an important metric for the platform, and when you finish watching a video, it indicates that the content was engaging enough to hold your attention. If you repeatedly watch similar types of videos to completion, TikTok will prioritize showing you more content of that kind.
• Like, Comment, and Share Videos You Find Interesting: Liking a video is an obvious way to tell TikTok that you enjoyed it, but commenting and sharing videos are even stronger signals. Commenting on a video shows deeper engagement and encourages TikTok to show you more of that type of content. Sharing a video is an indication that you find it particularly valuable or entertaining, and TikTok will take that into account when recommending new videos. Engaging with videos through comments or shares can amplify the type of content you see.
• Save Videos to Your Favorites: If you come across a video you want to revisit later, save it to your favorites. This indicates to TikTok that the video has a particular appeal, and it helps the algorithm better understand your preferences. The more you save content that aligns with your interests, the better TikTok can predict what you might like in the future. Over time, your FYP will become a reflection of the videos you’re most likely to enjoy or find valuable.
• Create and Post Content That Aligns with Your Interests: As a creator, posting videos that reflect your own interests and passions can also shape your FYP. TikTok doesn’t just track what you watch; it also takes into account the content you produce. If you enjoy cooking, for example, creating cooking videos can encourage the algorithm to show you more food-related content. The more you post content that aligns with your personal interests, the more likely TikTok will recommend similar videos from others, creating a more customized experience for you.

10 TikTok SEO Tips to Improve Visibility

Want to increase your chances of appearing on others’ FYPs and improve your TikTok SEO? Here are some strategies that could help:

1. Post Regularly: Consistent posting signals to the algorithm that you’re an active creator, helping TikTok understand your content style and audience preferences. Regular uploads increase the likelihood of your videos being shown to more people.
2. Engage with Trends: Participate in popular challenges and use trending sounds to tap into a larger audience. Trending content not only aligns with the algorithm’s preference for relevance but also boosts your discoverability, especially when optimized with the right SEO keywords.
3. Use Relevant Hashtags: Hashtags are key for TikTok SEO. Use a mix of trending, broad, and niche hashtags in your captions to increase visibility. Focus on specific keywords that describe your content, as well as general ones that tap into bigger trends, allowing you to reach a more targeted audience.
4. Optimize Video Length: While TikTok allows longer videos, shorter videos (15-60 seconds) tend to perform better. Keeping videos concise and engaging increases watch time, which is a key factor in TikTok’s SEO. The longer viewers stay, the more likely your content will be recommended to others.
5. Focus on Quality: TikTok rewards high-quality, engaging content that keeps viewers hooked. Videos that maintain high completion rates and generate more interaction (likes, comments, shares) are favored by the algorithm, improving your SEO ranking on the platform.
6. Engage with Your Community: TikTok SEO thrives on interaction. Responding to comments, engaging with other creators, and building a community around your content signals to TikTok that your content is valuable. This engagement can lead to more exposure and better performance on your For You Page (FYP).
7. Leverage TikTok Features: Use TikTok’s native features like Duets, Stitches, and live streams to increase engagement. These interactive features create more opportunities for your content to be discovered, driving both organic reach and SEO performance.
8. Cross-Promote: Share your TikTok videos across your other social media platforms to drive traffic to your account. Cross-promotion can increase the visibility of your videos and generate additional engagement, which boosts TikTok’s algorithmic recommendation of your content.
9. Analyze Your Performance: Use TikTok’s analytics tools to track which videos are performing best and understand how your audience engages with your content. Analyzing trends in your own performance helps you optimize future videos for better reach and SEO results.
10. Be Authentic: Create content that is true to your brand and shows your unique perspective. Authentic content resonates better with audiences, generating more interaction and helping improve your content’s SEO performance by aligning with what users are looking for.

For more information on how the TikTok algorithm works, in this video we debunk some of the biggest myths on the platform:

Gretchen Oestreicher , 12 November 2024