How to go viral on TikTok: Content tips and algorithm tricks

Theo Salaun

Although it’s one of the newest social media platforms, TikTok has quickly soared to the top in terms of popularity. With videos constantly going viral, here’s everything you need to know if you want to go viral on TikTok.

Like all content, the best way to get views and engagement is to produce something of quality that meets enough people’s interests. Although knowing exactly what will strike a chord with people is mysterious, there are some general tips to keep in mind – no matter what kind of content you make.

TikTok’s algorithm has been the subject of serious confusion, as the app seemingly directs users to new content with a sophisticated system. Everyone’s “For You Page” (FYP) eventually becomes a curated selection of unique videos, tailored to their interests.

If you want to go viral on TikTok, making interesting videos is just the first step. You’ll also want to know how the algorithm works and the best ways to work with it, as well as how to design and structure your content.

How the TikTok algorithm works: Getting on the FYP

Cloudflare Tiktok ranking over time
TikTok’s popularity, and therefore that of its creators, skyrocketed in 2021.

Like all content platforms, getting likes, comments, and follows is valuable on TikTok. But the principal metric you should consider is actually your average watch time.

According to research, TikTok’s algorithm works by prioritizing how long people are watching your video (relative to the entire video’s length) and their completion rate (how many people watch a video until it ends).

With users quick to skip past videos between one and four seconds in, you’ll want to structure videos to maximize watch time if you want to go viral. It’s important to hook people in early and then flesh out the rest of your video to keep them interested… and some other specific tips can help you do so.

How to go viral on TikTok: Audio and video

Pokemon tiktok charizard
You can see how using text during a TikTok video helps build a hook and narrative.

So, if you want people to watch your videos until the end instead of swiping away, there are some technical tips to achieve this. Having a narrative structure helps, since it keeps people engaged, but there are video and audio tricks to complement your content.

To mitigate TikTok users’ short attention spans and their different methods of viewing, it helps to have an on-screen caption or narration for your videos. And that narration becomes easier to follow when you add subtitles during the video (or even use the POV text feature).

But, to make things even easier to follow along, you should also have a vocal narration. That can either be original or, to give viewers a familiar voice, can use TikTok’s text-to-speech feature.

Addison Rae and Charli XCX
Duets are an easy way to jump on viral trends in a fun, genuine way.

A bonus to adding a voiceover to your own video is that it can become a “sound,” which can then become its own viral trend. Which brings us to the next tips for going viral: Taking advantage of trends.

Using a viral video format or audio can be a great way to put your own spin on something that people are interested in. All you need to do is sync your video to the sound and you might be able to ride the trend’s wave.

Further, you can collaborate with other creators’ viral videos in other ways than just using their sounds. The duet feature can be a simple, but effective way to go viral by engaging with the community’s current fascinations.

How to get the 'Shrek kissing' filter on TikTok
Participating in TikTok trends can increase your chances of going viral

At the end of the day, viral content is subject to luck much of the time. TikTok became the world’s biggest platform thanks in part to authentic videos that accidentally go viral, often without adhering to any of the normal tricks.

But if you want your video to be seen under the FYP’s bright lights, it doesn’t hurt to know these tips. Oh, and remember to post at the right time, too.

For more top lists of all the biggest names in entertainment and helpful guides, make sure to check these out:

Most liked posts on TikTok | How to delete your TikTok account | How to change your username | How to get verified on TikTok | Editing, saving, and deleting drafts | Best time to post on TikTok for more likes | How to go live on TikTok | Does TikTok tell you who viewed your profile? | How many followers do you need on TikTok to get paid? | How to go viral on TikTok | How to send a DM on TikTok | TikTok slang explained | How to sync videos to a sound on TikTok

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About The Author

Théo is a former writer at Dexerto based in New York and built on competition. Formerly an editor for Bleacher Report and philosophy student at McGill, he fell in love with Overwatch and Call of Duty — leading him to focus on esports for Dex.