Here’s how to game the TikTok

“For You” page

In January 2022, TikTok hit an insane benchmark — 1 billion monthly active users — and it’s no secret the platform is addictive to creators and viewers alike. 

For viewers, it’s an endless supply of short form videos tailored precisely to their unique interests and designed to keep them scrolling. For creators (and brands), it’s a place to find and grow an audience faster than any other platform. 

The key to unlocking that fast tracked success is getting onto the TikTok For You page. Ready to get started? Today we’re covering the TikTok FYP: what it is, how to manipulate it, and how to get your videos featured on it. 

TikTok’s “For You” page: Everything you need to know

1. What does FYP mean on TikTok? 

2. How does the TikTok For You page algorithm work? 

3. Can you curate and influence your FYP? 

4. How to get on the For You page on TikTok: 8 tips 

5. FAQs 

6. Wrapping up

What does FYP mean on TikTok? 

FYP stands for “For You page.” The TikTok For You Page is where every creator wants to be. It’s the first page users see when they open the app. Instead of opening to a following feed like most popular social media platforms, TikTok presents users with a curated page of content from creators they’ve probably never seen before, plus some of the latest content from the users they follow. 

It’s a little like the Instagram Explore page, except it’s where TikTok users spend the majority of their time on the app. In fact, the FYP is designed to keep users scrolling. The algorithm is amazing at pulling content that resonates with users. This, combined with the short nature of TikTok videos and the immersive viewing experience influences users to scroll for hours at a time. 

How does the TikTok For You page algorithm work? 

The algorithm gathers initial ranking data by pushing videos to a small batch of viewers. How these viewers interact with the video dictates how far the algorithm will push it. 

TikTok calls this the video’s “Performance Ranking,” which is based on the video’s completion ratio, shares, comments, and likes. A high performance ranking will get your video in front of a larger group of users, then that process plays on repeat until your video runs its course. 

Below are the three most important ranking factors for the TikTok algorithm:

1. User interactions

The more engagement your video gets, the more likely you are to end up on the FYP. Engagements on TikTok include comments, likes, shares, duets, stitches, and even video completions. 

2. Video information

Ever noticed how videos that follow trends tend to pop off on TikTok? Well, part of their success can be attributed to this ranking factor. Video information like your hashtags, sounds, and  captions help the algorithm notice your video and rank it on the FYP. 

3. Device and account settings

Lastly, personal settings like your location, language preference, device, and country setting impact what you see on your FYP. While less important than interactions and video information, your personal settings do help geographically tailor your FYP (meaning TikTok uses them to include content relevant to people in your area).

Can you curate and influence your FYP? 

There are few options for customizing the For You page TikTok offers users to give them some control over what they see.

Not Interested button

First is the Not Interested button. You can find it in the Share options right next to the Report button. Use this feature to tell the algorithm what videos you no longer want to see. Sometimes this will trigger the option to hide all videos from that account or Sound. 

Intentional engagement

The content you like and comment on plays a big role in what you are shown. Be deliberate about what you like and comment, leaving those signals only on videos you’d want to see again. This helps the algorithm push content you will enjoy. Replaying and sharing videos you like will also teach the algorithm what content to show you in the future. 

Follow accounts you like

The accounts you follow also impact what’s shown on your FYP. Following accounts whose content you’re interested in will help TikTok promote similar content. Conversely, unfollow users whose content isn’t interesting to you. 

How to get on the For You page on TikTok: 8 tips 

While getting on the TikTok FYP isn’t an exact science, there are actions you can take to better your chances. If you want to see your video on the FYP, these eight tips are the place to start:

1. Create videos of different lengths 
Video length on TikTok isn’t as limited as it once was. A series of expansions took the maximum video length from one minute to three minutes to ten minutes. Despite the option to post longer-form videos, many creators still claim that shorter videos are more likely to reach the FYP. Here’s what TikTok says:

While short videos still dominate the platform, TikTok’s shift gives creators and brands more options to experiment. 

2. Follow best practices (and stay up to date on what performs best!) 

Social media is always changing, and TikTok is one of the better platforms when it comes to accommodating their user-base’s ever-changing needs. With that said, best practices for how to create the best performing content on TikTok aren’t set in stone.

Luckily, you can keep up with the platform’s latest guidelines here. Currently, this is what TikTok recommends:

• Video resolution above 720p

• 9:16 aspect ratio/vertical orientation

• Adding audio

• Videos 21-34 seconds in length

• Adding a clear CTA

3. Niche down 

TikTok is a place for creators and viewers alike to be authentically themselves. The more authentic content is, the better it will perform on the app. Plus, TikTok is home to thousands of niches. You can build an audience around anything, from picnics in the park all the way to telling jokes while holding a dirty cat (rest in peace, Pot Roast 🥺). 

Basically, TikTok is the place to let your brand’s unique personality shine. Don’t worry about fitting into any prescribed molds — just be authentically you, experiment to keep things fresh, and watch the magic happen.

4. Collab, collab. 

When you post quality content that your TikTok followers will engage with, you’re bound to start the domino effect of expanding reach. Now, imagine doubling that. Collabing with other TikTok creators gets your name in front of a whole new set of users.

Find the right users, and you can give your follower count and engagement rate a boost (both of which will help your future content reach more people). 

5. Switch to a Pro Account for the insights. 

Making the switch to a Pro Account unlocks extra insights into your audience, reach, and video performance. This data is essential to your FYP strategy, as it shows you what to post and when. The more familiar you are with your audience’s viewing patterns, the better you can predict what content they will like.

The long term result? Better engagement, more reach, and a higher follower count.

6. Use hashtags (we know, #duh) 

Adding relevant hashtags is one of the most underrated social media growth tactics. Hashtags help TikTok categorize content so that it is shown to the most interested users. The effectiveness of generic hashtags like #FYP hasn’t been proven or disproven, so make sure to focus mainly on niche hashtags that are relevant to the video you are posting.

Engagement is the ultimate goal, so hashtags should be tailored to a targeted audience that will resonate with your content. Plus, niche hashtags have less competition. 

7. Post during peak times 

Initial engagement by your followers will show TikTok your video is worth showing to more users. Use your account insights to find out when your followers are most active and engaged, then post content during those peak times. 

8. Find your trends

The bulk of TikTok’s viral content adheres to a popular trend. Using trending audio, hashtags, and video concepts is a great way to jumpstart your FYP success. When you use a Sound, your video will be shown to users who like content from that Sound.

This means that users who are already interested in whatever trend you partake in will see your content. If you choose the right trends (they need to be somewhat relevant to your content so that your iteration doesn’t seem forced), you can increase your engagement and work your way onto the FYP.

Wrapping up

At the end of the day, TikTok has done a fantastic job at creating a platform that upholds their mission to inspire creativity and bring joy. They created a place where individuality and authenticity breed success. No matter what brand you’re marketing, there is an audience out there waiting for you on the FYP. 

Find them by being intentional about what content you post and when, increasing your engagement rate, and building an honest, authentic representation of your brand.