Reaching people who are interested in your TikTok content on their TikTok FYP (a.k.a. the For You page) is the holy grail of any creator or marketer using the app. And it also takes some effort to get there. So, let’s take a look at what you can do to make that happen.
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What is TikTok?
(Gotcha there. I know you know what TikTok is. But just in case you actually googled that.)
TikTok is currently one of the top social media platforms used by people all over the world. It’s a video-sharing app that kind of revolutionized the way people view video content, inspiring other content formats like Instagram Reels, for example.
It’s also one of the fastest-growing social media apps in recent years, with 1.6B people using it as of the end of 2022, expected to reach 1.8B users by the end of 2023.
Why is TikTok so popular?
The thing about TikTok is that it’s currently the most engaging social media platform, with an average engagement rate of 4.25%, surpassing any other social media platform these days.
And one of the reasons for that is how the TikTok algorithm serves TikTok users the content they see on the app, which is unlike what we’re used to on Instagram or Facebook.
Once you get on the app, TikTok first recommends content that’s pretty much random. (That’s when you might see all those “dancing videos” people still associate with TikTok), partly based on your location. And then it learns what you like, what you dislike, what you watch, and what you skip. What you search for, and finally, what you engage with.
And that’s when you have your own version of TikTok – a tailored stream of content that’s related to your interests and preferences and follows them as they change (and as you search for new content topics.)
And that’s why it’s so engaging and so popular – there’s no other app that lets you curate content so easily. And, of course, you’re going to engage with content you find relevant at any given moment.
Then there’s the format of the content itself – short videos (though these days they can last up to even 10 minutes) and live streams that are what you need them to be: funny, serious, entertaining, educational, informative, emotional, etc.
It’s the definition of the (kind of oldschool, I know) term “snackable content.”
What is FYP on TikTok?
The TikTok FYP is the For You Page, and that’s what makes the app work the way it does.
The TikTok FYP is where TikTok serves you all the content – random at first, then more and more tailored to what you’re interested in.
It’s like your Facebook feed, but where you see all the content that might interest you but doesn’t come from your Facebook friends and brand pages you follow. In that, it’s more like Instagram Explore, but more tailored to your app activity.
And yes, TikTok also has the Following feed, where you can see all of the content from accounts you already follow. But you find those accounts on none other than your TikTok FYP. It’s where you get your TikTok content from.
The TikTok FYP will also serve you content from the accounts you do follow, mixed in with all the others, so it can, in fact, serve as your main (and sometimes only) TikTok feed.
Why you should optimize your content for the TikTok FYP
This should now be clear, right? The TikTok FYP is where people can come across your content. There is no other way unless they purposefully search for your TikTok account or go to it directly, for example, from a link on your website.
So, if you want to build a following on TikTok and reach and engage more people, you’ll need to get on their For You Page. And, what’s more, you need to get on the For You Pages of the right people – those who are likely to be interested based on their activity on the app.
Anything you can do to increase your chances of getting in front of the right TikTok users is worth your while. Because otherwise, you’re making it harder for the algorithm to be able to match your content to the right viewers, meaning: you’re not reaching who you want to reach.
And I’m going to talk about what these things are in just a second.
TikTok management tool for teams
Schedule your TikToks and manage TikTok comments (organic and ads) from one place – with an all-in-one social media tool designed for teams.
3 ranking factors to get your TikTok on the FYP
There are several factors that TikTok’s algorithm uses to rank your content and display it to the right audience. The top 3 ones are:
- User interactions, i.e., how users interact with your content. Do people watch it? Or do they swipe immediately to go to the next one? Do they like and comment on it?
- Video information, i.e., how you yourself describe your video to help it reach the right people. This includes the right keywords in your description and on-screen text, hashtags, location tags, and trending sounds your video uses. They all categorize your content helping the algorithm do its thing.
- Device and account settings, including your language preference and your country location. (TikTok heavily relies on location.)
10 tips to get on the TikTok For You Page
1. Use the right hashtags
Hashtags are key for reaching people interested in a specific topic. Don’t overload your posts with hashtags, though. Instead, pick a few ones (some sources recommend 5-6 hashtags) to use consistently in your posts.
This will help the algorithm see the right TikTok category to put you in.
Also, check trending hashtags to see if they apply to your content. (But don’t just jump on them with something irrelevant – it might have the opposite effect.)
2. Use keywords in your post descriptions
TikTok has its own in-app SEO that helps content be found and displayed to appropriate audiences. Adding the right keyword in the description is the right step to get you in the right TikTok niche, especially when you consistently incorporate those in your content.
Also, don’t make your captions unnecessarily long – they’re just there to accompany the video (and help it make it to the FYPs of a relevant audience.)
3. Use on-screen text and closed captions
Same goes for the text that appears on your video, including the automatically generated captions in TikTok (so, always use them, not just for the sake of people who can’t listen to your video – but also for the algorithm to read them.)
Using relevant keywords will be another element for the algorithm to decide who to show your content to. So, the more you’re on topic, the better for your reach.
4. Use trending sounds and effects
Popular sounds and filters are also what can help you get on people’s FYPs. TikTok often shows more content using a particular sound to people who searched for it or engaged with it before.
You can search for trending audio and effects inside the app and also follow accounts that post popular sounds and music to use. If you type “trending sounds” in TikTok’s search bar, you should see plenty of accounts that do that. Also, go to sounds and look for “Popular” next to a sound.
And finally, pay attention to what’s going on in your corner of TikTok in general (which will, unfortunately, involve regular scrolling on the app) to see what comes up a lot.
In my corner of TikTok, for example, it’s currently this filter, among a few others:
5. Add a unique spin on popular trends
It might be enough to use a trend to get to more people, but it probably won’t be enough to get them hooked and interested in what you have to say in the long term (if only because they probably have seen dozens of similar videos already.)
So don’t forget to add a unique angle to a popular trend that will let people know what you post about and why they should follow your account. This will also help you create high-quality content that has more chances of breaking through to the FYP.
6. Add (or remove) location
So, location on TikTok is a little bit tricky – as it can both help your reach but also limit it in some ways.
Adding a popular location where you want to reach people can help you do just that. But TikTok admittedly also uses your phone’s location to serve you content from your corner of the world, which makes it all the more difficult to reach an international audience.
Some creators recommend turning off the location on TikTok to avoid that. And the good news is you can get out of your location bubble eventually by consistently using international hashtags, posting your content in English, and interacting with other creators and users (e.g., by stitching their content or commenting and responding to comments.)
TikTok management tool for teams
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7. Stitch and duet videos of other creators
Speaking of interactions. TikTok lets you stitch or duet other creators’ content, which is sort of like quoting them and starting a conversation between TikTok accounts. This is a great way to boost your reach and encourage engagement – especially as the stitched account responds/reacts to your content.
Not to mention, this is a great way to get new, relevant, timely content ideas for your TikTok content calendar.
You can also ask others to stitch your videos to help reach more people.
8. Figure out your timing
As with all the other social media channels, timing is also important on TikTok. After all, your audience needs to be active on TikTok to be able to see your content when it gets pushed to their TikTok FYP.
The timing will, of course, depend on your location, your target audience’s location, sometimes industry, the topic you talk about, etc. But there are some general TikTok timing guidelines you can use to start, like the ones below:
As you go, check in with your TikTok stats and adjust your timing accordingly.
9. Post consistently
Besides the timing, frequency also matters. TikTok recommends as many as 1-4 posts a day. (Yes, a day.) Which basically means posting every day, all week.
Of course, a lot will depend on your resources. But that’s why it’s helpful to use TikTok management tools for business like NapoleonCat, which will let you plan and record TikToks in batches, then schedule them, for example, for the entire week ahead. Makes things much easier.
NapoleonCat will also let you manage TikTok comments (organic & ads) in the same tool, so once you get the engagement you crave, you’ll make your work (and your team’s work) much less stressful and more efficient in this respect.
What matters with posting is consistency. You can choose to post several times a week but stick to it so that the algorithm (and eventually people) keeps seeing your content on a regular basis.
You can test NapoleonCat for free here – no credit card required 😉
TikTok management tool for teams
Schedule your TikToks and manage TikTok comments (organic and ads) from one place – with an all-in-one social media tool designed for teams.
10. Use TikTok stories
If you struggle with making longer-form content frequently, try mixing in some TikTok stories. They also appear on the TikTok FYP, increasing your chances of catching more eyes with your content. And they have the potential of getting even higher engagement.
They do last only 24 hours, just like Instagram Stories, but they can reach a much wider audience as they’re not just limited to your followers.
TikTok FYP FAQs
How to use hashtags to get on Tiktok’s FYP?
You can add hashtags to your post descriptions, just like you would on Instagram. Look for popular hashtags that are related to a particular topic or conversation you want your content to be a part of. Consistently using the same hashtags will let the algorithm know where to assign your content in terms of your target audience’s interests.
You can technically use up to 30 hashtags, but the recommended number is 4-6 most relevant ones.
How long are videos on TikTok’s FYP?
TikTok videos can be as short as 15 seconds or as long as 10 minutes, and anything in between.
What’s the best time to post a video to appear on TikTok’s FYP?
The timing will depend on several factors, including your time zone, but there are some baseline timings you can use. You’ll find them in the post above.
What sounds will help me get on TikTok’s FYP?
In short, look for currently popular videos with sounds that the algorithm keeps pushing to the TikTok FYP. To find out if a sound is popular, look for the “popular” label next to it.
How long does it take to get on TikTok’s FYP?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question, and this will depend on several things, including whether your account is new or you have an established TikTok presence. When you post your first TikTok video, for example, TikTok will admittedly push it to the FYP more to get you hooked with more views (this has been true for me.)
In general, your video could get on the FYP within an hour of posting, but it could also sometimes even take days.
You may also like:
- Here’s The Best Time to Post on TikTok
- All You Need to Know About TikTok Affiliate Marketing
- How to Make Money on TikTok: Helpful Guide for Beginners
- How to Edit TikTok Videos – Easy Guide
- TikTok Stories: A Comprehensive Guide
- How to Schedule TikTok Posts & Support Your Content Strategy
- TikTok Algorithm Decoded: Elevate Your Content Strategy
- How To Go Viral On TikTok: 5 Proven Strategies
- Here’s How to Stitch on TikTok
- Top TikTok Trends To Watch
