Ahh Tiktok, the platform that can confuse many, while still keeping us all obsessed with the new trends and viral videos. There isn’t a day that goes by where we aren’t dealing with the trending sounds running rampant in our heads.

Tiktok as a platform took off, it isn’t only used by teenagers, remember how Facebook was in its early years? Remember the beginning of Instagram? They all had their time with the youth of the decade, but like all social media it bleeds into other generations and we all catch the bug at some point (no pun or relation to the recent pandemic intended).

However, what is fascinating is how you can still ride that early Tiktok wave. The algorithm is still in its infancy, and so while the platform has been around for nearly 7 years (launched in September 2016), the engagement you can receive from content on Tiktok is still as a newer platform would behave.

How does the Tiktok Algorithm work?

Like all social media platforms, Tiktok wants to keep all eyes on its content and content creators. So it is in its best interest to serve the content that people actually want to watch and engage with. How does it do that? Algorithms are always seen as a complex dark magic in which we know they exist, but how it works and why it works the way it does is sometimes lost. However, the success of Tiktok is in its simplicity.

The algorithm looks at a few factors before deciding if the content should be on someone’s FYP (For You Page = this your personalised feed);

• Video likes and shares
• Accounts followed
• Comments posted
• Content created
• Videos completed
• Favourited videos

It uses this data to figure out the types of videos you like to watch, or the content you enjoy the most and simply segment the millions of videos that are uploaded onto its platform and push them in the right direction for each person.

It uses information from the video such as captions, hashtags, and sounds to decide what content you have engaged with and enjoyed. And uses the information on newer content to decide whether it fits within that segment, if it does you will see it on your FYP.

See simple.

Ok so it’s not just the video tags and such, the algorithm will also consider language settings, device type as well as category selection. But since users rarely actively express these as preferences they don’t hold as much weight as the actual engaged content. So it’s not too much of a concern, but always good to know right?

How can you become successful on Tiktok?

The million-pound question right there, if we had £1 for every time someone asked us how they can become successful on one platform or another, I don’t know how much we’d have I lost count. But it’s a lot.

We all remember the earlier days of Facebook and Instagram were gaining a following and building an audience was simple. You only needed to post a picture of your lunch and you’d be inundated with hearts, comments, and the rest of it. We can see some similarities in the engagement rates with Tiktok, but there is a catch. More so with Tiktok than any other platform, you have to really create the content. It’s easier than you think, but gone are the days where you can snap that easy photo post and ghost. So we’ve got some tips for you to make Tiktok work for you.

1: Trending sounds – there’s a reason they are trending, if you can create a video which uses this sound in the most relevant and relatable way, it’s going to do well.

2: Have a good hook! – Tiktok is a fast-moving platform, if you haven’t piqued their interest within 3 seconds say goodbye and be part of that endless scroll. 

3: Timing is everything – Not only should you consider keeping your videos short, but look at the right times to post. Think about your users and the times they will be most likely to be active; if you are unsure then using the general most users active on Tiktok in a quick google search will be ok to get you going.

What should I create on Tiktok?

The crux of all social media. Content, you need to create it, or pay someone to create it either way works. But coming up with ideas on what to create can be tricky. Especially when you understand everything there is to know about your business and industry, so to you it’s boring. But you customers won’t think so.

The first step to anything content related is to do a massive brainstorming session. Write everything down, even if it seems like a bad idea. You have to start somewhere, so kiss a few frogs, write a few bad ideas and learn from it.

Second thing to do, is look at what sounds are trending. See if you can relate it to your industry or business or just make it entertaining. There are many parts of Tiktok segments and someone is bound to be interested in what you have to say.

Thirdly, get comfortable with filming yourself. Yup, your face will make or break how much traction you can get on the video. Tiktok is the most people-centric platform, it’s used by millions to express and share passions, interests, and general topics. We see people renovate homes, recommend books and movies, share jokes, and talents, you name it, people share it. So your face or someone else, it should really be involved.

What is the future of Tiktok?

At this point we can only speculate. Social media always evolves, with Tiktok it started with 30 second videos and has now increased to 3 minute videos. No need to send views to part 2 and so on, could this platform become more like Youtube in the length of content it allows users to post? Possibly, however, the uniqueness that is Tiktok relies on the instant satisfaction of quick entertainment and information. With so much at our fingertips, the need for quick access is only going to grow.

Like all platforms, something new will come along and grow in popularity, leaving the likes of Tiktok and friends to play catch up. What that social platform will look like we can’t say. We can say, we are looking forward to seeing what comes next for Tiktok and the next generation of social media.

Creating content for social media can be a nightmarish task for many out there. Generating ideas and keeping the consistency that is required to build up a following as well as continue marketing through the busier times in business is tough. That’s why we Rebels are here to help. Contact us to hear all about our social media marketing packages.