I Don't Understand the TikTok Algorithm

I recently announced that I'm determined to reach 10,000 followers on TikTok. I can't believe I'm even close to achieving my goal. So far, I now have about 9,290ish followers. And it's all because two of my recent videos have gone a bit viral online. 

The one thing that really sticks with me, is how the hell does the algorithm work with TikTok?

In general, every single algorithm that exists out there has always been a mystery to me. I have seen multiple people claim there is a way to figure out the algorithm, but I honestly don't think it is possible to figure out. 

You can never determine which post is going to skyrocket on TikTok. 

For example, I post mini horror stories on this app. I think some of them are pretty cool, but some of my stories are kind of whatever to me. Yet, the ones that I thought were 'whatever' are the ones that gain the most views, or maybe a couple that I put a lot of thought into get a lot of views too.

Right now, the one that shocked me with the sudden viral trend is a mini story that I did based on Alice in Wonderland.

https://www.tiktok.com/@bluevelvet_476/video/7543743635473354014

This mini horror story is beyond simple:

Children claimed they had seen an old movie of Alice in Wonderland, that showed Alice dying in Wonderland. Parents were outraged by this, and demanded the broadcast remove the film. The broadcast was revealed to not exist. 

This video went from about 30ish thousand to 118,500ish views currently as I write this.

I have no idea how this video blew up. 

I was inspired by something known as analog horror, that is quite similar to found footage horror. I think that is the reason why the video got so many views, since many horror fans like myself love analog horror.

I have no idea how this video got so huge, since this one had been posted almost in the beginning of September. And now this video has gotten attention mid-way through the month. 

I wish I could write a better explanation of how the algorithm works for TikTok, but I unfortunately don't have a huge understanding of how it actually works. I do get a bit annoyed when so called TikTokers claim they know how to beat the algorithm, but every time I watch an explanation video, it doesn't make any sense. 

They say to post at a certain time period, make yourself stand out, or use a particular number of hashtags. 

Here is the honest truth from someone who has no idea what they are doing: It's impossible to predict which of your videos is going to work on TikTok.

I don't think it requires you to actually stand out among the rest of the people on this app. I think it's pure luck if your video does get noticed or not. I only appeal to horror fans, and I think that is already hard enough to get noticed.

The majority of my horror stories only get about 200 to 600 views at the most, and I only get lucky with 1,000 views or more sometimes. And that's including the fact that I post twice a day, around 2 p.m. and 10 to 11 p.m.

I'm not saying all of this to discourage either of you who are interested in creating a TikTok account. I'm just saying what I have personally experienced so far, and its pure luck as to why I'm about to reach 10,000 followers on TikTok.

The algorithm is a tricky place, and it requires extreme patience to even become viral on TikTok.

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Thanks for reading!

Emy Quinn