Are you tired of watching your TikToks drift into the “0 views” abyss? You’re not alone. Figuring out how to break through TikTok’s noise and craft the perfect viral short video feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube blindfolded. While it can seem confusing, what to post on TikTok to go viral is the key to unlocking the algorithm’s magic. In this guide, we’ll tackle the common hurdles that may be holding you back from virality and share practical tips for creating content that truly shines.
Consider using tools like Crayo AI’s clip creator tool to give your content an edge. It’s designed to help you craft standout videos that capture attention and increase your chances of going viral.
Table of Contents
How does TikTok Algorithm Work
What’s Up with the TikTok Algorithm?
The TikTok algorithm is your guide through the endless sea of videos. It curates content tailored to your tastes, so your For You page feels like it was made just for you. It’s not guessing—learning what you like by watching how you interact with videos. If you’re all about beauty tutorials, your feed will reflect that. But if you suddenly get into DIY projects, expect your feed to shift accordingly.
How Does TikTok Know What I Want to See?
The algorithm is like a detective gathering clues to determine your interests. Engagement is a big deal. TikTok pays attention to how you interact with videos—do you like, share, or comment on them? Are you watching videos all the way through or saving them for later? All these interactions help TikTok understand your preferences.
Your TikTok Behavior Matters
Beyond likes and comments, TikTok looks at other behaviors—like which accounts you follow and what kind of content you create. This gives the platform a deeper understanding of your unique tastes and how they change over time.
The Role of Hashtags and Captions
Hashtags, captions, and sounds are clues that help the algorithm figure out what the video is about. It uses this info to decide when and where to show the content. Make sure your video’s details align with your audience’s interests.
Don’t Forget Device and Account Settings
TikTok also considers device and account settings, such as your country and language preferences. These factors help optimize performance but are less influential than your engagement and interactions.
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7 Reasons Why Am I Not Going Viral on TikTok
1. Picking the Wrong Audios
TikTok is all about sounds. Forget hashtags; audio is the secret sauce to reach. But here’s the catch: jumping on audio trends late means you’re just another voice in a crowded room. Find audios that are fresh, just hours or days old. This positions you to ride the wave of engagement before everyone else catches on. It’s about being early, not just trendy.
2. Trying Too Hard
TikTok rewards authenticity. Overthinking every post in your quest to “go viral” can backfire. It’s like trying to force a smile—it doesn’t feel right. Instead, focus on having fun. Let go of the pressure to perform. The moment you release expectations, you’ll find your groove. Learn from the posts that don’t hit and celebrate the ones that do.
3. Your Content Isn’t Engaging
No hacks can save lousy content. Once you’ve nailed the right audio, ensure your content is engaging. TikTok’s algorithm tests your video with a small audience first. It won't get pushed to more people without getting likes or comments. Make content for your audience, not yourself. Provide value, stir emotion, and ensure your hook is compelling.
4. Poor Video Quality
You don’t need Hollywood production values, but basics are a must. Lighting is crucial; bad lighting and your video is a ghost town. Use budget lights or natural sunlight, and always clean your camera lens. Audio matters, too. Ensure your voice and music levels are balanced. If we can’t see or hear you, why should we care?
5. Weak or Boring Intro
Time is short on TikTok, and attention spans are shorter. A dull intro means your video is toast. Lead with something dramatic or unexpected. The more you surprise, the more people will stick around. Spend time on TikTok to see what grabs your attention and incorporate those elements in your own way.
6. Breaking Community Guidelines
TikTok plays by its rules, and you should, too. Violating guidelines tanks your reach and can even get you banned. Familiarize yourself with what’s acceptable and what’s not. If you’ve been flagged, appeal it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s a quick fix that can restore your account’s health.
7. Misusing Hashtags
Stop with the FYP hashtags; they don’t help. Use hashtags to tell TikTok’s algorithm, which should see your content. Choose ones relevant to your niche. They help categorize your video, making it easier for people interested in those topics to find you. You only have 150 characters, so make them count. Are we looking to create viral TikTok content with less effort? Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today—just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account is required! Go from prompt to viral shorts in minutes with Crayo.
17 Tips For Going Viral On TikTok Fast
1. Turbocharge Your TikTok with Crayo AI
Crayo AI is your secret weapon for making viral TikTok videos. It's the fastest way to create shorts, allowing you to generate unlimited videos at once. Crayo handles everything from captions to effects, backgrounds, and music, allowing you to make easy money with the TikTok creator fund. Just write a prompt, customize the style, and export your video! Go viral, make money, and produce clips in seconds with Crayo. Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today — just hit the ‘Try Now’ button on the homepage to get started. No account is needed!
2. Trend Surfing: Stay Ahead of the Curve
TikTok thrives on trends, and staying in the loop is crucial for virality. Explore TikTok’s Creative Center for insights on current trends, filtering by region, industry, and timeframe to see what’s buzzing. Your For You page is another goldmine for spotting patterns. Once you identify a trend relevant to your niche, jump on it quickly. Trends are fleeting, lasting just a few days, so speed is essential.
3. Hashtags: The Ultimate Discovery Tool
Hashtags are a critical ranking factor on TikTok, enabling the algorithm to categorize your content. Trending hashtags are helpful, but niche hashtags relevant to your brand offer more potential for virality. #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt is an evergreen hashtag with universal appeal, while community hashtags have specific audiences that can help you find potential fans. Limit your hashtag to three to five per post to guide the algorithm without overloading it.
4. Ignite Curiosity with Your Content
Curiosity keeps users watching 1.4 times longer, boosting your video's chances of going viral. Give your audience something to discover with content around new ideas, groundbreaking technologies, or innovative hacks. Millennial and Gen X users are interested, with 40% and 44% saying TikTok helps them discover new things.
5. Sound: The Backbone of Viral Videos
Sound is critical on TikTok, with 88% of users saying it's a vital part of the experience. Videos with trending sounds or popular music often have viral success. As you browse your For You page, pay attention to the music and sounds used in videos. TikTok’s Creative Center also offers insights into trending sounds and songs. Use trending audio clips by selecting any TikTok video with audio and tapping on the clip's name.
6. Consistency is Key: Post Regularly and at the Right Times
TikTok's algorithm doesn't consider past performance, so consistency is crucial for virality. Post regularly and follow a schedule that's predictable for fans. Posting two videos daily for a week and then going silent for a month isn’t a good tactic. According to research, the best times to post on TikTok are Tuesdays at 9 a.m., Thursdays at noon, and Fridays at 5 a.m., but your optimal posting time should be dictated by your data from TikTok Insights.
7. Craft Compelling Stories
Storytelling is one of the best ways to build trust and affinity with your target audience. TikTok values good content over polished content, so you don’t need professional equipment or editing skills to tell a great story. “Storytelling unhinged” is a trend force for 2024, with unpredictable storytelling and unique characters and formats. Use storytelling to attract users and build a loyal following.
8. Engage with Your Followers
Engagement is crucial for virality, so don't stop posting content. Social networks are great places for customer interaction, and TikTok is no exception. Engage with your followers by replying to comments and encouraging them to interact with you. Include a call to action in your videos, asking your followers to leave a comment, share your video, follow your account, or respond with a video.
9. Connect with Other Users and Posts
In addition to engaging with your followers, engage with other videos and content creators, especially those in your target audience. Interact with the TikTok community by engaging with TikTok videos, preferably ones that are trending and have the potential to go viral. Essential interaction includes liking and commenting, but you can also create your own Stitch or Duet videos in response to another user's viral video.
10. Collaborate with Popular Creators
Partnering with popular creators using influencer marketing can boost your reach and increase the chances of your content going viral. A good partnership leads to a win-win situation for both parties, as it helps both expand their reach and increase their content’s visibility. When looking for TikTok creators and influencers to work with, consider whether they're relevant to your niche.
11. Mix Up Your Video Lengths
Varying the lengths of your videos can optimize viewer engagement. While TikTok is known for short-form videos, research shows longer videos get more views. Mixing up your formats can help your brand stand out. Videos under 15 seconds are perfect for quick, impactful content, while medium-length videos allow for more detailed storytelling or tutorials. Longer videos are ideal for in-depth exploration.
12. Entertain and Be Relatable
No single type of content is guaranteed to go viral, but being funny and entertaining can raise your odds. Humor goes a long way on TikTok, with 30% of users saying it's a top motivation for purchasing a brand or creator. Chipotle is one brand that has perfected the TikTok content mix, striking the right balance between entertainment and branded content.
13. Educate and Add Value
If humor isn’t your thing, you can still be entertaining by adding value through educational or behind-the-scenes content. Be relatable and authentic, offering value to your audience with information, recipes, hacks, or product tips. XO Marshmallow uses TikTok to announce new flavors, giving users more reasons to watch with clever and timely how-to content.
14. Start Strong with a Hook
With shortening attention spans and most TikTok videos lasting mere seconds, you’ll need to grab viewers’ attention instantly. The “hook” must be established in the first few seconds—if not the first frames. Tease what’s to come, use humor or shock value, or flash the “after” or outcome at the beginning of your video to encourage users to stick around.
15. Embrace Memes and Challenges
Memes and challenges are a big part of TikTok, setting off waves of content from a single hashtag. Challenges are a fun way for users to connect around a common theme or cause. Jump on a trending meme or challenge using popular hashtags and sounds to grow your reach.
16. Cross-Promote Your TikTok Content
Cross-promoting your TikTok content on other social media platforms can increase your chances of going viral. Short and punchy videos are now the norm across social media, with platforms like Instagram and YouTube following TikTok’s lead. Promoting your TikTok videos on other social networks increases your reach and drives traffic back to your TikTok channel.
17. Improve Your Editing Skills
With clever editing, Punchy TikTok content that grabs users’ attention can be achieved. You don’t need to be a professional videographer to create dynamic cuts. Free tools like TikTok’s native editor and apps like CapCut allow you to add text, combine and edit clips, add effects and transitions, and coordinate your visuals with sound.
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How to Use TikTok's Algorithm In Your Favor
Find Your Subculture: Unlocking TikTok's Hidden Communities
To go viral on TikTok, you need to connect with subcultures. Unlike other platforms, TikTok’s For You Page showcases content from new creators, emphasizing niche communities. This means you should align with existing hashtags to reach your target audience. TikTok’s Audience Insights is a helpful tool for identifying your subculture. Access it by opening TikTok Ads Manager, hovering over Reporting, and clicking Audience Insights – no advertising commitment required.
Maximize the First Moments: Catch Their Eye, or They’ll Scroll By
TikTok doesn’t have time for long intros. Capturing attention in the first few seconds is crucial. Making viewers curious right away can increase engagement 1.4 times. The algorithm favors content that viewers watch longer, so grabbing their attention quickly is key.
Optimize for Search: Teach the Algorithm What You’re About
Don’t overlook the potential of keywords. TikTok SEO helps the algorithm understand your content, making it discoverable. Use trending keywords in your captions, voiceovers, or text overlays. TikTok captions can be up to 2,200 characters long, giving you plenty of room to include keywords. Check the TikTok Creative Center for trending keywords by region and industry.
Create High-Quality Videos: Stand Out and Get Noticed
While authenticity is valued, low-quality content won’t reach the For You Page. Focus on clear sound and visuals, and use fun edits to keep it dynamic. You don’t need special equipment; just ensure your videos are easily understood. To keep it short, considering the video completion rate is essential. Vertical orientation (9:16) is preferred, as most viewers consume content this way. Design your videos to be played with sound – audio is a massive part of TikTok culture.
Post at the Right Time: Timing Is Everything
Posting at the right time is crucial. Engagement signals to the algorithm that your content is worth sharing. Check TikTok analytics to find out when your audience is most active. From your profile, tap the three-dot icon and go to Creator Tools and Analytics.
Engage with Other TikTok Users: React, Respond, and Remix
Interacting with others increases engagement, telling the algorithm you’re worth featuring. React to, respond to, and remix trending content. Duets, Stitch, and video replies to comments are great tools. Default settings allow others to create Duets and Stitch videos using your content, enhancing discovery potential.
Use the Right Hashtags: Ride the Wave of Trending Challenges
Hashtags matter. Use the TikTok Creative Center to find trending hashtags and their full breakdown. Look for challenges-related hashtags, as participating in these can boost your content. You can also see the top 10 hashtags your audience interacts with using TikTok Audience Insights.
Use Trending Sounds and Music: Tune In to TikTok Culture
Join trends by using popular sounds. Sounds are a big part of TikTok culture, with audio clips often becoming trends. Two-thirds of TikTokers prefer brand videos with popular songs. Check your For You page for trending sounds, or find trending songs by region in the TikTok Creative Center.
Be Real – and Have Fun: Let Loose and Show Some Personality
TikTok isn’t for overly polished content. Highlight what makes you unique, as this resonates with TikTok’s diverse audience. Show a playful and unpredictable side. Consider behind-the-scenes content or revealing more about yourself. Vulnerability is trending, too; it builds trust.
Try Out New Features: Be an Early Adopter
Stand out by using new TikTok features. TikTok Shops, for instance, are just starting to roll out, letting brands promote and sell products directly in the app. Try launching your shop with a TikTok Live, as 1 in 4 TikTokers are interested in purchasing this way.
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Ever wonder why your TikTok videos aren’t catching fire? First, you need to know your audience. The app thrives on trends, fast-paced content, and authenticity. If your videos aren’t resonating with your target demographic, they won’t share, like, or comment, and you'll be stuck in the shadows. Second, timing is crucial. Posting at the correct times when your audience is most active can significantly boost your reach. Third, your content should be fresh. If you’re recycling ideas or too similar to what's already out there, viewers will scroll past.
Crayo: Your Secret Weapon for TikTok Fame
Crayo AI is a powerful tool that can help you create viral-worthy content in record time. It’s the fastest way to generate short videos, and it does all the heavy lifting for you. Simply write an outline or prompt, customize the style with their free templates, and export your video. Crayo even auto-generates captions, effects, background, and music for you. With Crayo, you can go from idea to viral video in seconds. Plus, you can make money with the TikTok creator fund program. It’s a win-win.
Boost Your TikTok Game with Crayo
Ready to take your TikTok game to the next level? Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today. Click the ‘Try Now’ button on their homepage to start. No account is required! With Crayo, you can go from prompt to viral short videos in minutes.
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