Even if you have 0 followers, there is a possibility that it will go viral'' - this is the biggest feature of TikTok, and the reason why many companies and creators are joining the platform. Unlike other SNS (X and Instagram), TikTok uses an algorithm that evaluates the quality’’ of the content itself rather than the ``past accumulation’’ of the number of followers. In this article, we will explain how TikTok’s algorithm works and the key points for creating buzz.

Basics of TikTok algorithm: How to be listed in “Recommended”

The “For You” timeline is the first thing you see when you open TikTok. Whether the video is posted here or not is everything for it to go viral.

TikTok’s algorithm uses a ``point-based rating system’'.

1. When you post a video, it will first be distributed to a small group of approximately 300 to 500 users (a test group whose attributes were determined by AI) as “recommended” users.
2. During the test distribution, if the response (engagement) from users is good, the number will be extended to several thousand more people. If the situation is satisfactory, the distribution frame will be expanded in stages (teardown structure) to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people.

5 metrics that the algorithm focuses on

The main metrics that determine video ratings are: They are arranged in descending order of priority.

1. Viewing completion rate (percentage of people who watched the video to the end)

This is the most important indicator. The biggest proof that the video is “high-quality content” is if the video is played to the end without being swiped in the middle.

2. Average viewing time (time spent)

If the video is long, you will be evaluated based on how many seconds you can watch.

3. Play multiple times (loop play)

If a user watches the same video two or three times, they will receive a very high score. Videos that have a large amount of information that you can’t understand in one sitting, or that have a good tempo that you can’t help but watch over and over again, are advantageous.

4. Number of shares / number of comments

The actions of I want to tell someone (share)'' and I want to express my opinion (comment)’’ indicate the high level of enthusiasm for the video. Shares in particular are highly valued as they also lead to external platforms.

5. Like / Profile transition

Likes themselves are also subject to evaluation, but their priority is lower than the above four.

Practical techniques to create buzz

Here are some specific techniques to hack the algorithm and improve the metrics listed above.

• Attract people in the first second: In order to increase viewer retention, prepare a strong hook at the beginning of the video that makes people think Huh?'' or Hey, wait a second.''
• Dare to leave a “tsukkomi” note: In order to increase the number of comments, we put a slightly incorrect subtitle in the video or something unusual in the background, creating a blank space that makes users want to comment, ``Isn’t this 〇〇?’'.
• Make the loop seamless: This is a technique that connects the words at the end and the beginning of the video (e.g., the ending The reason is...'' → the beginning This is it!’’), allowing the user to naturally play the video multiple times without realizing that the video is looping.

Summary

In order to go viral on TikTok, it is important to strategically hack the metrics that the algorithm uses to determine if a video is of good quality (especially view completion rate and loop playback). How to get viewers to stop in the first few hundred test broadcasts. Be sure to create videos from the viewer’s perspective.