Anyone who is addicted to watching Short Video clips on the TikTok app is probably very familiar with the experience of opening the For You feed and constantly running into TikTok's algorithm pushing all kinds of odd clips your way, some of which suit your taste and some of which don't. Many people probably wonder why this happens. And how can we figure out how the algorithm actually works that it keeps recommending new, unfamiliar clips to us all the time? Or is it a platform strategy designed to make users' time flow away with new video clips that open up a brand-new experience?
Today, Relevant Audience will take everyone through a closer look at how this algorithm works, along with a look at the new feature on TikTok that is about to be rolled out to help users understand why these unusual video clips are being recommended on the For You page. If you're ready, let's dive in.
How does the algorithm on the For You page work?
TikTok's algorithm aims to help spark creativity and bring fun to users, in order to build a community where everyone can create and share with one another by connecting with people around the world. This happens on the feed that TikTok has named "For You," which acts as the central hub of every experience on TikTok.
The For You feed is one of TikTok's core features, and the way the algorithm works for this feed is driven by how users engage with the platform through various actions, such as posting, commenting, and following other accounts, while taking into account each user's personal preferences. The factors involved in how the algorithm works can be broken down as follows:
These factors form the foundation of how the algorithm works as it decides which video content to select and present to each individual user on the For You page in a way that is unique to them, with the goal of ensuring that every user on the platform receives content that best matches their needs and interests.
TikTok launches the "Why This Video" feature
But as mentioned earlier, even though TikTok's algorithm operates based on users' interests, sometimes many users find that TikTok's algorithm still likes to send them clips that don't suit their taste (many people around me often complain that their For You page tends to show 18+ style clips even though they have never followed or watched that kind of content before).
As a result, TikTok recently decided to roll out a new feature that explains to users why those videos appear on your For You page, called "Why This Video." You can use this feature on the For You page by tapping the "Share" button, after which a panel of various icons will appear, and you select the question mark icon. The system will then explain the reasons why the video content was shown, based on:
- content you have previously watched, liked, shared, commented on, or searched for
- accounts you follow or accounts in the Suggested for you category
- content that has just been uploaded in that region
- content that is currently popular in that region
Final thoughts
With this update, platform users can now check where the unusual content that keeps popping up on its own actually comes from, so they no longer have to argue with themselves about when they ever liked or followed it. And especially if you work in the online marketing field or are a creator, you can also take these insights and apply them to creating new content that aligns with the algorithm, in order to increase the reach of your content to your followers. It's definitely another feature that many users on the platform are sure to make use of.
Source: SEJ
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