Tiktok organic optimisation complete guideline

TikTok has taken the world by storm, becoming one of the most popular social media platforms of the last few years. With millions of daily active users, brands are constantly creating engaging content and experimenting with various advertising tactics to tap into this massive audience.

But how can you optimise your TikTok posts to reach the right audience and get maximum visibility? This guide will cover everything you need to know about organic TikTok optimisation by breaking it down into essential factors, including video completion rate, video relevance, video quality, consistency, hashtags, user interactions, location, and frequently asked questions about TikTok SEO.

Get ready to power up your TikTok game!

If this guide is helpful for your TikTok, you may want to learn more about our entire SEO guideline for marketplaces and platforms here.

TikTok quarterly revenues 2017 to 2022 ($mm)

How TikTok algorithm ranking works

User interactions, video information, and device and account settings are the main factors that influence the TikTok algorithm.

1. User interactions

Much like the Instagram algorithm, the TikTok algorithm bases recommendations on a user’s interactions with content on the app. What kind of interactions? Anything that offers clues about the kind of content the user likes, or doesn’t like.

The For You page recommends content based on several factors, including:

• Which accounts you follow
• Comments you’ve posted
• Creators or sounds you’ve chosen to hide
• Videos you’ve liked or shared on the app
• Videos you’ve added to your favorites
• Videos you’ve marked as “Not Interested”
• Videos you’ve reported as inappropriate
• Longer videos you watch all the way to the end (aka video completion rate)
• Content you create on your own account
• Interests you’ve expressed by interacting with organic content and ads

2. Video information

While user interaction signals are based on the way you interact with other users on the app, video information signals are based on the content you tend to seek out through Discover or Search.

This can include details like:

• Captions
• Sounds
• Hashtags*
• Effects
• Trending topics

3. Device and account settings

These are settings TikTok uses to optimize performance. However, since they’re based on one-time settings choices rather than active engagements, they do not have as much influence on what you see on the platform as user interaction and video information signals.

Some of the device and account settings included in the TikTok algorithm are:

• Language preference
• Country setting (you may be more likely to see content from people in your own country)
• Type of mobile device
• Categories of interest you selected as a new user

Source: https://blog.hootsuite.com/tiktok-algorithm/

Video completion rate

Video completion rate is an important metric to track when it comes to video content on TikTok. It measures the percentage of users who watch your entire video, from start to finish. This metric is crucial because it directly impacts the reach of your content on the platform.

When a user watches your video all the way through, it signals to TikTok's algorithm that your content is engaging and valuable. In turn, TikTok rewards you by increasing the reach of your video, showing it to a wider audience of potential followers.

So, how do you increase your video completion rate? The first step is to create content that immediately grabs viewers' attention. This means starting your video with an irresistible hook that piques their interest and encourages them to keep watching.

Once you've hooked your viewers, it's important to keep them engaged throughout the entire video. This can be achieved by delivering value and entertainment consistently, so that users won't feel the need to swipe away prematurely.

Experimenting with video length and pace can also help increase your completion rate. Some TikTok users prefer shorter, snappier videos, while others enjoy longer, more detailed content. By testing different video lengths and pacing, you can find the sweet spot that works best for your audience.

Another way to increase your video completion rate is to use captions effectively. Captions can help convey your storyline more effectively, making it easier for viewers to follow along and stay engaged until the end.

Overall, video completion rate is a crucial metric to track when it comes to TikTok content. By creating engaging, valuable content that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish, you can increase your completion rate and ultimately grow your following on the platform.

Video relevance

Creating relevant content is key to building a strong and engaged audience on TikTok. It's important to understand your target audience and what they are looking for in order to create content that resonates with them. Here are some tips to help you create more relevant videos:

• Identify your target audience: Determine who your ideal viewer is and what they are interested in. This will help you create content that speaks directly to them.
• Address pain points: Think about the problems or challenges your target audience is facing and create content that helps them solve those issues.
• Showcase aspirations: Highlight the goals and aspirations of your target audience and create content that inspires and motivates them.

Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, it's time to start creating content that speaks to them. One way to do this is by utilising trending sounds, hashtags, and topics. By staying up-to-date with what's popular on the platform, you can create content that is more likely to be seen and shared.

Another way to create relevant content is by paying attention to your competitors or similar creators. Take note of what's working well for them and adapt your content accordingly. This doesn't mean copying their content, but rather taking inspiration from what they are doing well and putting your own unique spin on it.

By consistently creating relevant content that speaks to your target audience, you will increase the overall relevance and reach of your videos. This will help you build a loyal and engaged following on TikTok.

Video quality

When it comes to creating video content, quality is everything. High-quality videos have a greater chance of being shared and liked by users, which is crucial for organic growth. But what makes a video "high-quality"? Let's dive in.

First and foremost, ensure your content is clear and easy to see. This means investing in a good smartphone or camera with a high resolution. A blurry or pixelated video is not only unappealing to viewers but can also be a turn-off for potential followers.

Next, lighting is key. Proper lighting can make all the difference in the quality of your video. Whether you're filming indoors or outdoors, make sure you have enough light to illuminate your subject. This can be achieved through natural light or by investing in lighting equipment such as softboxes or ring lights.

Audio is another important factor to consider. Poor audio quality can be a major distraction for viewers and can even cause them to click away from your video. Invest in a good microphone and test your audio levels before filming to ensure that your voice is clear and easy to understand.

Once you have your footage, it's time to edit. Learning essential editing skills can help you polish your videos and make them more engaging for viewers. This can include adding music, cutting out unnecessary footage, and adding text overlays to highlight important points.

Overall, creating high-quality videos takes time and effort, but the results are worth it. By investing in good equipment, lighting, and editing skills, you can create videos that are not only visually appealing but also engaging and shareable.

Consistency

Consistency is one of the most important factors for success on TikTok. Whether you are an individual creator or a business, posting regularly is key to building a strong presence on the platform. By posting daily or multiple times per week, you increase your chances of connecting with your target audience, building a loyal following, and satisfying the algorithm's demand for fresh, engaging content.

But consistency is not just about posting frequently. It's also about maintaining a consistent style, tone, and message in your content. This helps to establish your brand identity and make it easy for viewers to recognise and remember you.

To ensure that you stay consistent, it's a good idea to create a content calendar. This will help you to plan out your content in advance, so you always know what you are going to post and when. It will also help you to stay organised and avoid last-minute scrambling to come up with ideas.

Another important aspect of consistency is engaging with your audience. Responding to comments, messages, and DMs in a timely and consistent manner shows your followers that you value their input and are committed to building a relationship with them.

Finally, remember that consistency is a long-term game. It takes time and effort to build a strong presence on TikTok, but by staying consistent and putting in the work, you can achieve great results and establish yourself as a leader in your niche.

Hashtags

Hashtags are a powerful tool that can help you to increase the visibility of your content on TikTok. By using the right hashtags, you can make it easier for users to find your videos, which can lead to more views, likes, and followers.

When it comes to using hashtags on TikTok, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it's important to research the hashtags that are currently trending on the platform. By using these popular hashtags in your videos, you can increase the likelihood that your content will be seen by a larger audience.

However, it's also important to use niche hashtags that are relevant to your content. These hashtags may not be as popular as the trending hashtags, but they can help you to reach a more targeted audience that is interested in your specific niche.

In addition to using popular and niche hashtags, you may also want to consider using branded hashtags. These are hashtags that are specific to your brand or business, and can help you to build brand awareness and promote your products or services.

When using hashtags on TikTok, it's important to use them strategically. Don't just add a bunch of random hashtags to your videos – instead, choose hashtags that are relevant to your content and that will help you to reach your target audience.

Overall, hashtags are an important part of any TikTok marketing strategy. By using them effectively, you can increase the visibility of your content and grow your audience on the platform.

User interactions

Engaging with users is crucial to building a strong and loyal audience on TikTok. By responding to comments and messages, you show your followers that you care about their opinions and appreciate their support. But there are other ways to interact with your audience beyond just responding to comments.

One way to increase engagement is to create challenges or contests that encourage your followers to participate. For example, you could ask your followers to recreate one of your videos or come up with their own creative spin on a particular theme. This not only boosts engagement, but it also helps to build a sense of community amongst your followers.

Another way to engage with your audience is to collaborate with other TikTok users. This not only strengthens your connections with other creators, but it also exposes your content to new audiences. Collaborations can take many forms, from duets to joint videos, and can be a great way to showcase your skills and creativity.

But it's not just about collaborating with other creators - engaging with your followers is just as important. You can do this by asking your followers questions, responding to their comments, and even featuring some of their content in your own videos. By supporting and engaging with your community, you can enhance your organic reach and influence on TikTok.

Location

Your geographic location can have a significant impact on your TikTok content's visibility. Localising content to showcase and appeal to regional audiences makes it easier for TikTok's algorithm to recommend your videos to viewers close to you.

Utilise geolocation hashtags, engage with local communities, and create content inspired by local trends and happenings. By doing this, you increase the chances of your content being embraced and shared by the local audience, propelling your organic growth.

Armed with this complete guideline to TikTok organic optimisation, you're now ready to create content that stands out and resonates with your target audience. Implement these strategies consistently, keep track of your performance, and adjust your tactics as required. With hard work and dedication, you'll be able to unlock the full potential of TikTok as a powerful marketing platform. Happy TikToking!

Frequently asked questions about TikTok SEO

How do people rank on TikTok?

TikTok has recently launched (and will continue to roll out) a set of LIVE features which can help you get discovered by new viewers. Weekly Rankings can be found in the LIVE section of the app and show a weekly ranking of creators based on the number of Diamonds collected. The more Diamonds, the higher the ranking! Source

What is the algorithm for TikTok?

The TikTok algorithm is a proprietary set of signals that TikTok uses to determine what content appears in the customized For You page for each TikTok user. Source

What are the three ranking signals for TikTok?

TikTok algorithm ranking signals. User interactions, video information, and device and account settings are the main factors that influence the TikTok algorithm. Source

How do I get the best TikTok algorithm?

While this is important for all social media platforms, it's particularly so for TikTok. Active engagement with your content is a key signal to the algorithm. There are a couple of ways to find out when your audience is most active on the app. Source

How do you get 100% viral on TikTok?

You can learn how to go viral on TikTok with these.

1. Begin your video with a strong hook
2. Keep your videos as short as possible
3. Add strong CTAs
4. Post at the right time
5. Use trending music
6. Master the art of storytelling
7. Use relevant hashtags
8. Cross-promote on other social platforms
9. Encourage interaction
10. Create content that users will rewatch
11. Hop on trends quickly
12. Engage with other creators
13. Be consistent Source

Does rewatching a TikTok count as a view?

If the video autoplays or loops, or a viewer comes back to watch it multiple times, those all count as new views. (When you watch your own video, however, those views are not counted.) Source

Why am I getting low views on TikTok?

If you are getting zero or low views on your TikTok videos, it can come down to several reasons: New accounts do not get views immediately. Research popular trends and create a consistent posting schedule to get your initial views. Source