What is the Goal of the TikTok Algorithm?

Its one and only goal is to keep users on the app for as long as possible. It achieves this by showing each user a highly personalized feed of content that it thinks they will find engaging. Your job as a creator is to send signals to the algorithm that your video is engaging.

The Most Important Ranking Signals

While the exact formula is a secret, we know the algorithm heavily weighs the following user interactions, especially within the first few hours of posting:

1. **Watch Time & Completion Rate:** This is arguably the most important factor. If users watch your video all the way through, or even multiple times (a loop), it's a huge signal that the content is good. This is why short, punchy videos often perform well. 2. **Shares:** When a user shares your video (e.g., via text message or on another platform), it's a very strong indicator of quality. The algorithm sees this as a high-value endorsement. 3. **Comments:** Comments signal that your video is sparking conversation. Videos that ask questions or present polarizing topics often do well for this reason. 4. **Likes:** While still important, likes are considered a more passive form of engagement than shares or comments. They are a good signal, but not as powerful as the others. ### How the Algorithm Tests Your Video

When you first post a video, the algorithm shows it to a small batch of users. It measures how this initial group interacts with it based on the signals above. If the engagement is high, it pushes the video out to a larger group. If it continues to perform well, it gets pushed out even further, and so on. This is how videos go viral. Your goal is to pass that initial test with a high engagement rate.