As someone who has spent an absurd amount of time scrolling through my for-you page on Tik-Tok, I’ve encountered and watched many different videos from very niche communities throughout the app. I used to spend hours scrolling on the app ( I’ll admit, I was addicted for a few months) and now I usually spend 15-30 minutes looking at all the videos on my for-you page. I’ve been fascinated with how the Tik-Tok algorithm works, how my fyp page is completely different than my friend’s, or how members of content houses have the algorithm in their favour; helping launch their influence careers.
I came across an article by The New York Times back in January (the article was released in early December 2021) and it explained how the algorithm worked. The article goes into depth on a leaked document called “TikTok Algo 101,” which explained how user “retention” (if a user comes back) and how long a user spends time on the app are the two main deciding factors that help the algorithm put the type of subculture content on your for-you page. Every single interaction makes an individual with the app ultimately helps the algorithm figure out what content subcultures a user may enjoy; every like, every comment, every share, and every search one makes helps the app learn about what a user likes. Nobody gets the same for-you page, and nobody watches the same video at the same time. The app’s algorithm is carefully tinkered in order to cater to every user’s wants and needs, which has ultimately led some people to spend an absurd amount of time on the app.
Tik-Tok has granted opportunities for social-media influencers and personas to arise. People such as Addison Rae, Charli D’Amelio, Vinnie Hacker had the algorithm on their side in their rise to internet stardom. As evidenced by their follower counts that skyrocket on a daily basis, posting at specific times and posting content that caters to their audience has ultimately supported their rise into internet stardom. A system designed and engineered in order to cater to its users, a content creator’s posts and how they are received on the platform help the algorithm boom as well.
The amount of time spent and the amount of interactions one has on the app ultimately sets them up for the type of content they see on the app. The careful curation of a user’s for-you page comes down to the two factors previously stated. Many social media platforms in the modern era have realized that they can help control what content their users consume and how it affects their company. Tik-Tok has served as a platform for users to find enjoyment in content that others make, businesses to flourish, and emerging content creators to boom. All thanks to the algorithm, the cycle of content creation on Tik-Tok has helped support many people in their endeavors to discover new niche internet subcultures and show users things that they may find interesting; thus the formation of every Tik-Tok user’s for-you page.
sources | featured, new york times post linked above, 2, 3,
