The way to get to the TikTok (FYP) For You web page
TikTok has steadily become one of the most popular social media apps.
In Q1 2020, the app hit a record 315 million installs, and soon dance routines, challenges, and #MedievalTikTok were all the rage.
As TikTok grew in popularity, a question also arose: "How do I get to the TikTok For You page?" This is the main page of curated content that users see when they log in.
This article answers that question and shows you everything you need to know about TikTok's mysterious algorithm and how you can use it to your advantage.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is an iOS and Android social media app for creating and sharing short videos of 15 to 60 seconds on any topic.
The app was launched as Douyin in China in 2016, and the following year ByteDance released it as Musical.ly for markets outside of China, before renaming it TikTok.
Since then, the app has been downloaded over 2.6 billion times and has over 800 million active users. This makes it the ninth largest social media site in the world.
Why is TikTok so popular?
While it started out as a fun lip-syncing app with a cult Gen Z fan base, it has grown into a way for users to share short comedy skits, business tips, and more.
As the newest social media app on the block, building a following on TikTok could be a lot easier than it would be on crowded websites like Instagram and Facebook with restrictive algorithms.
What is the TikTok For You page?
The For You page, also known as the "FYP", is the first page you land on when you open the TikTok app. It's a curated feed of videos from developers that you may not be following, but the TikTok algorithm assumes you will like it based on your interests and previous interactions.
For example, if you like multiple Instagram tips videos and leave comments on them, you can expect to see a new helping of social media marketing TikToks on your For You page every day.
Think of it as the Instagram Explore page. The app wants to connect you to more content so you can scroll longer.
Why you should optimize your content for the For You page
The TikTok For You page is the “holy grail” of the app's success. This means that you've created content that will appeal to your audience. The algorithm has recognized this and recognizes the quality of your content before any other videos in the app.
What this means for entrepreneurs and influencers:
- Followers and Monetization: Landing on the TikTok For You page will help you gain followers faster and get closer to the 10k goal. Once you hit this milestone, the TikTok Creator Fund is ready to start making money on your videos.
- Sponsorships, thought leadership and sales: Once the algorithm starts bringing your video to a wider audience, you may be more recognized as a master of your niche. This can lead to paid sponsorships or more sales in your company.
- Platform growth: Have you ever heard the saying, "It takes a platform to build a platform?" Once you've found TikTok Gold, you can use the attention to direct traffic back to your other platforms like Instagram or YouTube and grow your community across the board.
- Free exposure: If you typically get 100 views per TikTok, an FYP function can increase that to tens of thousands. It's incredible exposure that you can take advantage of without spending a dime on ads.
3 Ranking factors for TikToks For You page
The TikTok For You page algorithm has been mysterious for years. Rumors and speculation flew through the internet, triggering the surge in hashtags like #fyp and #ForYou until TikTok headquarters issued a statement settling the debate once and for all.
In a community post, TikTok states the following:
In TikTok, the For You feed reflects the settings that are unique to each user. The system recommends content by ranking videos based on a combination of factors – based on interests that you express as a new user and tailoring it to things that you indicate you are also not interested in – to create your personalized For You- Create feed.
Here you will find the most important details of the TikTok algorithm as well as information on how the "For You" page works.
1. User interactions
The more comments, likes, shares, and duets your video receives, the more likely the algorithm will pick it up.
Another ranking factor to consider is your video completion rate. The more users watch your TikTok until the end, the more likely it will be pushed out for further distribution.
2. Video information
Hashtags, sounds, and captions are a treasure trove of information to help you get to the For You page. For example, if you use a trending hashtag or a soundbite, the algorithm will be more likely to detect it.
Remember that TikTok's goal is to keep users on the app. Providing trending content is one way to do this.
3. Device and account settings
Your location, language preference, device, and country setting all play a role in curating your FYP. After all, a comedy sketch about South African politics would likely only appeal to South African users.
However, these signals don't carry as much weight as the others, giving you the opportunity to reach a global audience.
6th Tips for getting started on the TikTok For You (FYP) page
There is no such thing as a bulletproof recipe for success for TikTok or any other social media network. The algorithms are constantly changing. If your content doesn't resonate with your audience, it won't get rated.
However, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of reaching the TikTok For You page:
1. Use proper hashtag etiquette
Some users believe that using #fyp or #ForYou will spread their content to the masses, but it's just a rumor. TikTok has never confirmed this and these hashtags do not guarantee you viral success.
You don't want to use these hashtags as a crutch and miss out on using keywords that are relevant to your content and niche.
After all, the main goal of social media is to get the right followers and then monetize your audience.
Here are some basic TikTok hashtag rules:
- No hashtag stuff. Pick a small number of relevant hashtags.
- Mix popular hashtags with less popular ones.
- Use trending hashtags in your niche.
- Take part in hashtag challenges.
- Use #fyp and #ForYou, but don't rely on them all.
Remember, there is no such thing as a proven formula. So, like with Instagram, you'll need to experiment to find a hashtag strategy that works best for your account.
2. Create shorter videos
Do you remember when I told you how important the video completion rate is on TikTok? The easiest way to get top marks for this ranking factor is to create shorter, engaging videos.
While you can record 60-second clips, using the available time doesn't necessarily translate into viral success. The less time someone has to spend looking at your TikTok, the more likely they are to watch until the end and not wipe it away.
You can improve your time by making sure you have a hook right at the start to encourage viewers to stick around until the end.
As your video completion rate increases, so too do your chances of earning a coveted spot on the FYP.
3. Write engaging subtitles
TikTok is not the platform to lose heart in a microblogging session.
You only get 150 characters, including any hashtags you add, so you have fewer characters than on Twitter.
With real estate limited like this, you need to focus on writing short captions that will force viewers to engage with your content.
The ideal TikTok lettering should:
- Be short
- Function-related hashtags
- Promote engagement
How you do that?
You could raise a puzzle by saying something like, "It took me five tries to get it right" or "Wait until the end". This could encourage viewers to watch the entire video.
Another tactic is to ask a question. Comments are another factor in engagement. Getting people to watch and respond can help send the right signals to the FYP algorithm.
Lastly, you can tease viewers with information that you reveal in your video. For example, "How to Find Clients as a Freelance Writer" or "A Simple Hack to Make $ 100 Online".
4th Create high quality videos
Are you still posting low quality grainy videos on TikTok? This could be one of the reasons you didn't deserve a spot on the For You page.
A high quality video is more likely to keep an eye on your content, which means higher completion rates and more views.
TikTok won't send low-definition, blurry, or grainy videos to the masses. At best, this can lead to users wiping away. in the worst case, people close the app.
With most smartphones offering HD video, it's easier than ever to produce high definition videos without a huge budget or full production team.
In addition to the quality of your content, the platform also rewards editing skills. Experiment with filters, stickers, and transitions to make your videos more interesting and people watch until the end (and hopefully watch again).
5. Post new content when your audience is most active
Since engagement is a critical factor in accessing TikTok's For You page, posting at the right time can hurt or affect the success of your video.
How do you find out when your followers are online and ready to get involved?
With a free TikTok Pro account. It's similar to Instagram Analytics and you can see:
- Video views in the last 7-28 days
- Profile views
- Follower growth
- Trending videos
- When your followers are online
However, you need at least 100 followers to view data about your target audience.
To switch to a TikTok Pro account, do the following:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Tap the Me icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the three dots in the top left corner.
- Tap on "Manage Account".
- Tap "Switch to Pro Account".
- Select "Creator" or "Business" and you are done!
6th Add trending sounds and music to your videos
Think of music and sounds on TikTok as hashtags. You can use trending audio clips to improve your visibility and get likes, comments and views.
How do you find popular sounds for your videos?
You have to put on your stealth hat to find out what brings the most traction. Here are three ways to find trending music:
Sounds in the video editor
While creating a video, tap the Sounds button at the top of the screen. A new page will load and you will see a "Discover" page.
Here you can view recommended sounds for you to use, as well as a Playlist section of viral clips, trending sounds, and TikTok music charts. You can also go to the Trends page to see what is currently trending in different categories such as Fitness or Food and Drink.
Scroll through the sounds and add whatever you'd like to your favorites folder to use for later.
Save sounds in your favorites
When you swipe through TikTok and come across a sound that you want to use for a video, add it to your favorites folder.
With this feature, your clips are gathered in one convenient place and you don't have to waste time memorizing the name of a sound.
If you like a sound and want to save it, tap the sound name under the username. An audio page will load where you can see a list of all the other videos that are using them, as well as a button to add the clip to your favorites.
Use sounds your followers hear on TikTok
Once you've switched to a TikTok Pro account and hit 100 followers, you'll have access to another useful analytics feature.
The Followers tab shows a list of the sounds your followers have seen over the past seven days.
It helps cut research time and shortlist sounds for your next video.
Conclusion
If you follow the tips above, you are not guaranteed a place on TikTok's For You page, but doing so can greatly improve your chances.
Remember, all of the hashtags and trending sounds won't help you in your mission for TikTok For You if you don't create memorable and shareable content for your audience.
How do you plan to use TikTok in your social media strategy?