The TikTok Algorithm Isn't a Mystery: Just Give It What It Wants

The TikTok algorithm. It feels like a mythical beast, right?

One day it loves you, showering your video with views. The next day, it ignores you completely, leaving your best work to die with 200 views. Creators spend countless hours trying to "hack" it, searching for the perfect posting time, the magic number of hashtags, or the one trending sound that will unlock viral success.

But what if we've been overcomplicating it?

The truth is, the algorithm isn't a mystery you need to solve. It's a machine with one simple, singular goal: keep people on the app for as long as possible.

That's it. That's the whole game. The algorithm is your first audience member. If it likes what it sees, it will show it to a small test group. If they like it, it shows it to a bigger group, and so on.

So, when the algorithm looks at your video, it's not judging your artistic merit. It's asking one cold, hard question: "Does this video keep people watching?"

The Unspoken Ruler: Watch Time and Completion Rate

Every single signal the algorithm tracks—likes, comments, shares, saves—is secondary to watch time. A video with a million likes but terrible watch time will die. A video with very few likes but an incredible completion rate can go viral.

Watch Time is the total number of hours people have spent watching your video. Completion Rate is the percentage of viewers who watch your video all the way to the end.

For slideshows, this is especially critical. The algorithm is tracking how many people swipe all the way to your final slide. If a high percentage of viewers finish your slideshow, you're sending a powerful signal that your content is engaging and valuable. A completion rate of over 70% is a very strong signal.

The "Engagement Signals" That Pour Fuel on the Fire

While watch time is the foundation, other engagement signals tell the algorithm that your content is not just being watched, but that it's resonating.

• Shares: This is a huge signal. When someone shares your video, they are personally endorsing it to their friends. The algorithm sees this as a sign of very high-quality content.
• Saves: This tells the algorithm that your content is so valuable, people want to come back to it later. This is particularly powerful for educational or instructional content.
• Comments: Comments signal that your content is sparking a conversation. It's creating a community and keeping people engaged on the app, which is exactly what the algorithm wants.

A video with high watch time and high engagement is the holy grail. The algorithm will push this content aggressively.

How to Feed the Algorithm

So, if watch time is king, how do you serve the king? You've already learned the core principles in our other articles:

1. A Killer Hook: You have to stop the scroll in the first 1-2 seconds. Use a bold claim, ask a provocative question, or state a painful problem.
2. Compelling Storytelling: Don't just list facts. Create a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end. Build curiosity that makes people need to see the next slide.
3. Perfect Pacing: Keep your text short. Keep your visuals moving. Don't give the viewer a single moment to get bored.

Stop worrying about secret hacks. The algorithm isn't working against you. It's a predictable machine that rewards one thing above all else: content that people actually watch. Focus all your energy on creating slideshows that are so valuable and engaging that people can't help but finish them. If you can do that, the algorithm will do the work for you.