Tik Tok has become one of the fastest growing apps in terms of users and downloads. The app seemed to become a part of users’ daily lives the past year, especially while in quarantine. SensorTower reveals the TikTok app has been downloaded over 2 billion times worldwide, as of April 2020. In January 2021 alone, TikTok had 62 million downloads. The app is expected to surpass 1.2 Billion app users in early 2021, according to the new forecast from mobile data and analytics firm App Annie.
So, what is a Renegade and why is it so popular?
The Renegade, for those who don’t know, was a popular dance trend on the app that was highly favored by the algorithm. Overall, Tik Tok focuses on the type of content being uploaded, rather than who is uploading it. This algorithm helps smaller creators (like the Renegade producer) and common everyday users to go viral, instead of just huge or somewhat famous creators. This is very different from most social media sites, and it is a key factor in why so many people like the social media network.
So what is the For You Page…and how exactly does it work?
Each user’s feed on this page will look completely different from each other, even if they have similar interests. According to Tik Tok, “The system recommends content by ranking videos based on a combination of factors — starting from interests you express as a new user and then adjusting for things you indicate that you’re not interested in during your usage – to form your personalized For You feed”.
Now let’s break down the three main categories of things you should focus on when making Tik Toks for your business, to help ensure that you land on the right side of Tik Tok:
1. Video Information
- Caption: Things to keep in mind when creating a caption… What emojis are you using? Are you including hashtags? Are you using slang or proper grammar? How powerful and clear are the words you chose?
- Hashtags: These really vary, depending on the video and creator. Some creators recommend only using 4-6 trending hashtags, while others say to include 10-12. This is all about trial and error, but most people will tell you that including trending hashtags will never hurt you and they usually help to boost videos on the For You Page.
- Sounds: The Tik Tok algorithm seems to boost videos using trending sounds, though you can get around this by still using trending sounds and adjusting the sound setting volume to zero. This will end up showing your video as using the sound, but it will not be heard in the background.
2. User interaction
- Past videos you have liked or shared: Even the first video you like can affect how users are seeing your content. Make sure that you are liking posts that correlate to the type of content you are creating.
- Accounts you follow: Here are some things to think about when choosing who to follow…Are we creating similar content? Do they cater to the audience we are trying to reach? Are we in the same product category? How often do they post?
- Posts you comment on: Similar to both of the above ideas. Yet, for this, you also want to keep in mind that people who like your comments on other peoples posts may now also be in tune with your algorithm.
- The type of content you are creating: Some things to think about when creating content…Are you making 15 second videos, or longer? Does your content have a lot of edits? What type of filters are you using on your content? Are you using stickers/gifs on your videos?
3. Device and account settings (these preferences are mainly for Tik Tok’s system optimization but each receives some weight in Tik Tok’s algorithm and recommendation system for users)
- Language preference
- Country setting
- Device type
Overall Takeaways:
Using the TikTok algorithm to your advantage can really help boost brand awareness and also sales. Time and time again we have seen products sell out because of one Tik Tok that a creator or business made. Have you heard of the feta pasta trend? The feta pasta trend caused a shortage of feta cheese across the US and other countries. In a New York Times article the manager of Kroger’s specialty cheese, Walshe Birney, stated, “This is the largest and most geographically broad interest and sales increase in a product that I have personally ever seen”. The power of Tik Tok is real. Properly studying and using the algorithm to your advantage for your business can help you achieve your brands goals.
Looking for Tik Tok Gurus to help you? Contact the Genies today to help you with all of your Tik Tok needs!
