TikTok has cemented itself as one of the hottest social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. Its addictive short-form videos make it easy to lose hours of time scrolling through the “For You” page.
But for creators, TikTok also presents a huge opportunity. Videos can spread at lightning speed, rocketing accounts from zero to millions of followers practically overnight.
However, with over 100 million daily active users in the US alone, standing out takes skill and strategy.
So how do you beat the odds and create content that breaks out from the pack? This comprehensive guide reveals the secrets to crafting contagious TikTok videos tailored for going viral in 2023.
Understanding the TikTok Algorithm in 2023
The key to success on TikTok starts with grasping how the uniquely powerful recommendation algorithm determines which videos get shown to who.
In 2023, TikTok made significant changes to fine-tune suggestions and improve their predictions of which content each user will enjoy most.
How the Algorithm Works
Fundamentally, the TikTok algorithm cares about two key factors:
Retention – How long people watch your video from start to finish. Higher average watch times signal to TikTok that your content resonates.
Interactions – The total number of likes, shares, comments, profile clicks, follows and more. More engagement tells TikTok a video should reach more people.
Based on these core metrics, an AI evaluates each piece of content and decides whom to show it to next. Videos that perform well with their initial viewers get shared exponentially more.
So your goal is crafting videos optimized to garner longer watch durations and increased interactions.
The 2023 TikTok Algorithm Updates
This year, TikTok made two pivotal moves:
1. Personalization expansion – The algorithm now incorporates even more granular data on each user’s interests and preferences to serve them ultra-targeted content.
So think carefully about who your ideal audience is and ensure your content aligns closely with their desires. Lean heavily into your niche.
2. Spam reduction – TikTok improved their abilities to detect artificial engagement tactics intended to fool the algorithm. Any perceived inorganic likes or comments could actually limit your reach.
That means you must double down on authentic community building. The updated algorithm rewards genuine connections more than ever.
Understanding these shifts is crucial for approaching virality in 2023. Let’s explore specific strategies to help your next video take off.
Crafting Shareable TikTok Content
The key to success on TikTok starts with grasping how the uniquely powerful recommendation algorithm determines which videos get shown to who.
In 2023, TikTok made significant changes to fine-tune suggestions and improve their predictions of which content each user will enjoy most.
The algorithm fundamentally cares about two metrics – audience retention and interactions. Videos that keep viewers watching and responding take off, while ones that don‘t plummet into obscurity.
So when creating shareable content, you need to bake virality into the creative process itself:
Hook Viewers Fast
You have mere seconds to grab attention before people swipe away. Lead with intriguing visuals, bold text overlays, or cliffhangers that instantly raise curiosity and compels watching more.
Tell Compelling Stories
Human brains are wired for stories. Structure videos to follow a narrative arc building to an epic, hilarious or unexpected climax finale. Leave them chuckling, puzzling, or wanting to see what happens next.
Stimulate Emotions
Laughter, surprise, joy – viral content elicits high-arousal emotions. Reaction shots, close-ups, sound effects and music choices all help amp up the feel-good factor.
End on a Call to Action
Every video should motivate clear next steps, prompting viewers to like, comment, share or check out your other videos. Well-placed CTAs turn one-time views into lasting engagement.
Optimize Hashtags
Hashtags help signal relevancy to the algorithm. Include a mix of popular and niche tags, with 3-5 per video being the sweet spot. #fyp #foryoupage are common ones that aid discovery.
Leveraging Trends, Challenges and More
Latching onto the latest viral crazes presents shortcuts for standing out amidst the clutter. But you need to act fast before they fade.
Trend Surfing
The Trends and Discover pages highlight the memes and crazes bubbling up any given day. Even huge stars routinely ride waves by putting their spin on trending audios, dances and jokes.
Doing so allows creating easily sharable content without reinventing the wheel each time. But try adding your own flair instead of copying outright.
Jumping on Challenges
Challenges like the “He’s a 10 but…” or “Real or Cake?” ignite flurries of participation and parody. Search relevant hashtags to uncover the latest call to actions spreading.
Early adopters earn bonuses as their examples often get reposted endlessly afterwards.
Dueting and Stitching
Duets and Stitches let you riff off existing videos. Clever back-and-forths show personality and comedic timing audiences love.
Ultra-popular sounds also foster built-in discovery by exposing your additions to everyone else using them too.
UGC & Reenactments
User-generated content and remakes of classic viral moments tap into nostalgia while allowing fresh takes. Enlist friends to guest star and have fun putting your spin.
Incorporating these evergreen elements into videos provides ammunition for striking algorithm gold.
Optimizing Your Channel Itself
Beyond individual posts, configuring your channel smartly greases wheels for sharing as well.
Profile Bio
Treat your bio as prime real estate for selling yourself. Spotlight niche, vibe and content type to attract your tribe. Links here also enable driving traffic.
Hashtags
Curate niche hashtags in your bio as well. Doing so associates your brand with key topics, helping you pop up in relevant searches.
Playlists
Playlists cluster your best niche content bridges binge-watching. Help viewers easily feast on more of what they crave from you.
Cross-Promoting Content
While TikTok should remain the hub, expanding reach across other social channels compounds virality.
Go Wide on Instagram
Cut 15 second previews spotlighting your wittiest moments tailored to hook views back to the full video. Utilize link stickers driving to your TikTok in Insta Stories.
Share Snippets on Twitter
Funny outtakes and embeddable clips give bite-sized samples ideal for Twitter’s rapid pace.
Leverage YouTube
Longer TikTok compilations on YouTube enable tapping search traffic there plus provides a home for ancillary content.
Building audiences across multiple platforms builds reinforcement making viral moments even bigger.
Key Takeaways for Getting Viral on TikTok in 2023
- Laser focus on retention and engagement in line with TikTok’s core algorithm metrics
- Get extremely targeted with content personalized to your niche’s interests
- Prioritize authentic community building instead of artificial vanity metrics
- Embed virality triggers like bold openings, narratives and clear CTAs directly into creative
- Maximize discoverability with strategic hashtags, playlists and channel layout
- Reinforce reach by strategically promoting viral content across other social media
The TikTok arena only grows morecompetitive. But by internalizing the algorithm’s workings alongside crafting contagious content, your odds for rising above accelerate dramatically.
What video tropes do you think will define the next wave of viral TikTok trends? Share your predictions in the comments!
