Viral or Discovered? Understanding the Impact of TikTok on Video Views

Over the past few years, TikTok has become one of the largest social media platforms globally. With over 1 billion active users worldwide, it has revolutionized the way we consume and create short-form videos. However, with the rise of TikTok videos, it has become challenging to know if a video is viral or discovered. In this blog post, we will learn about the impact of TikTok on video views and how to identify if a video is viral or discovered.

1. Understanding video virality on TikTok:
TikTok's algorithm has led to the viral success of videos in the platform. The algorithm is designed to show users videos based on their interest and engagement patterns. If a video receives a high engagement rate from the audience, it has the potential to go viral on the platform. Therefore, the algorithm takes into account the number of views, shares, likes, comments, and follows, to determine its popularity. A viral video on TikTok can sometimes accrue tens of thousands of views within a few hours

2. Determining a Video's Virality:
There are two ways to decipher if a video is viral on TikTok. Firstly, look at the number of views, likes, comments, and shares the video has received. If the video has a high engagement rate, it is likely that it is viral on the platform. Furthermore, if the video appears on the “For You” page, it means that the algorithm has recognized it as popular, and it is likely to be viral.

3. Identifying a Discovered TikTok Video:
Discovered videos are a common phenomenon on TikTok. These are videos that are not viral but have been discovered by users through the “For You” page. Such videos usually accrue fewer likes, comments, shares, and views than viral videos. It is also common for them to be viewed by users outside the app's core demographic. Discovered videos can gain on the popularity and become viral with the right push and engagement.

4. TikTok Video Metrics:
TikTok's analytics tool, known as Pro account, helps creators to track their video's metrics. The tools provide essential data, including the number of views, likes, comments, shares, and followers. These metrics are essential since they indicate how well a video is performing on the platform. With the data, you can identify the videos that are viral, discovered, or not appearing.

5. Tips for creating viral videos on TikTok:
Creating viral videos on TikTok requires creativity and diligence. To increase the chances of a video going viral, creators have to create unique and engaging content. They should also take advantage of trends in the platform and incorporate them into their videos. Hashtags and music can also boost the engagement of a video. Lastly, creators should engage with their audience by responding to comments and asking for feedback.

In conclusion, TikTok's impact on video views is significant. The algorithm designed for the platform has given rise to viral videos that can reach massive audiences within a short period. The metrics on the app have made it possible to differentiate between viral and discovered videos. Creators can leverage these metrics to improve the performance of their videos. Therefore, it is essential to be creative and engaging while taking advantage of the trends on the platform. Overall, TikTok is a platform that can bring significant change to video creation and consumption.