Going viral on TikTok is no longer reserved for dancing teenagers. The platform has grown to become one of the most active social media communities in the world today. Additionally, it’s a network that makes virality accessible in a way that few other social media platforms do.
Anyone can explode on TikTok, whether they have two or two hundred thousand followers. This is not coincidental. The app’s algorithm ensures that all users have an equal chance of going viral and accumulating an audience over time. It is a rare example of a meritocracy in social media.
Even so, just because TikTok maintains a level playing field for its users does not mean there aren’t steps you can take to increase the virality of a video.
Continue reading to learn how to optimize your TikToks for viral success.
What causes TikTok content to go viral?
As with any social media algorithm, TikTok curates content for its users by suggesting videos that are similar to those with which they have previously engaged.
The platform’s recommendation engine analyzes the videos that users have viewed, liked, shared, and commented on, and categorizes them by video content, text used in the video, and background music. It then serves them similar content from TikTok users they may not have followed previously. This is reflected in the FYP (For You page) feed.
Consider it similar to traditional channel surfing, except that each time you turn on the television, you’re viewing a different cable package.
One factor that the TikTok algorithm does not take into account is the number of followers or prior engagements on a TikTok profile. You’re just as likely to see a million-plus-view post as you are to see a video from a brand-new user.
Additionally, each TikTok video has the potential to go viral via the For You page. When you share a video, it is automatically shared on a small curated group of users’ FYP. Depending on how well it performs there, it may be promoted to a wider audience.
While not every video will land in this manner, this feature of the TikTok algorithm ensures that every upload has a chance to be noticed.
How to Go Viral on TikTok: 9 Steps
Despite the fact that TikTok is a generally democratic platform, there are still ways to create content that is primed to go viral. Indeed, the most effective ways to make a post go viral on the app frequently involve authentically engaging with the TikTok community.
1. Understand trends
It’s easy to see why TikTok initially gained traction with a younger demographic. It is aggressively trend-driven, promoting memes and video formats. While the next big thing may take over in a matter of days, every meme has its time.
You need not look far to find a trend to follow. Indeed, there is likely one on your For You page right now.
Oftentimes, TikTok trends resemble Mad Libs. There will be a piece of popular audio, a dance, and a text-based format that users can customize. They can remain for months, but more often than not, they only stay for a few days. They come and go quickly, but when they do, they’re an excellent way to increase the visibility of your content.
Due to the algorithm’s nature, the more users engage with a trend, the more videos that play into it are promoted. As such, what is the first step toward becoming viral on TikTok? As you might have guessed, keep an eye on those trends. The more informed you are about current TikTok content trends, the easier it will be to create relevant and timely content.
Scrub Daddy, for example, would not have been able to go viral with their timely take on the adorable bones/no bones day trend if they weren’t constantly on the lookout for new trends.
