In the years since its launch, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse platform that has forever changed the social media landscape – particularly when it comes to going viral. Although going viral on TikTok can sometimes feel ever-elusive, you can make it a reality for your business by following the eight simple steps outlined in this guide. 

Understanding how to go viral on TikTok

Let’s start with the basics: what does it mean to go viral? Typically, there aren’t specific numeric values attached to the term. Going viral simply means that a piece of content is spreading very quickly across various social media channels, generally accruing thousands or even millions of views, likes, and shares. 

For many social media marketers, going viral has long been the goal, as it can provide unprecedented exposure and, in turn, expand brand awareness. However, since TikTok entered the social media scene, users’ ability to go viral has never been the same.

TikTok offers an unparalleled capacity to go viral in comparison to other social media platforms, even when your follower base is smaller. In an experiment run by Later, the business’ marketing team published the same video across three different platforms: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Here’s how it performed on each:

• TikTok: 91,000 views | 50,000 followers at the time of video publication
• Instagram Reels: 173,000 views | 400,000 followers at the time of video publication
• YouTube Shorts: 300 views | 30,000 subscribers at the time of video publication

Despite having a much smaller following on TikTok (only 12.5% of its following on Instagram, to be exact), the video still received more than 50% of the views it received on Instagram. 

However, even with that in mind, you may still be wondering: what is it that makes a video go viral on TikTok? 

Oftentimes, when you look at the most viewed and most liked TikToks on the platform, it can seem as though virality is completely random, a mere matter of luck. However, if you’re hoping to go viral on TikTok, knowledge is power. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the ins and outs of the TikTok algorithm.

A look at the TikTok algorithm 2023

While tricky and ever-evolving, it’s very possible to get a good grasp of the TikTok algorithm and its inner workings.  

To put it simply, the TikTok algorithm prioritizes content that it believes users want to see. To determine what content resonates with users and should therefore get a spot on the For You page, the algorithm considers several factors. 

These include (but are not limited to):

• Engagement levels: This refers to the number of likes, shares, comments, Duets, and Stitches a video gets. Higher levels of engagement signal to the algorithm that people are interested enough in the content to interact with it. 
• Topic: The algorithm categorizes video content according to user interest, meaning the subject matter of the video itself plays a key role in its success on TikTok. 
• Use of trends: From trending audio to popular hashtags, jumping on trends can help boost your content in the TikTok algorithm and reach more people. 
• Location and language preferences: The TikTok algorithm also takes the location and language of videos into consideration. Your content will likely be shared with users in a similar geographical area who speak the same language.

The gist? If you’re hoping to go viral or simply get more views on TikTok, you’ll need to ensure you’re prioritizing all these factors in your content creation. 

8 actionable tips to go viral on TikTok

Now that you better understand what it means to go viral and the role of the TikTok algorithm, let’s take a look at eight tactics you can implement immediately to take your TikTok presence to the next level. 

1. Follow the latest TikTok trends

As mentioned previously, participating in TikTok trends can do wonders for your view count and engagement levels. After all, TikTok is a trend-driven platform, meaning it’s essential to stay up to date with these patterns if you want to go viral. 

A great example of this in practice is Bubly, a brand of sparkling water, which jumped on the “Tube Girl” trend. Sabrina Bahsoon – better known as “Tube Girl” – went viral earlier this year for her bold dancing videos on the London Underground. At the time of publication, she has over 26 million likes and has inspired countless other creators to recreate her videos themselves – including Bubly. The brand’s use of the trend was perfectly in keeping with its silly and light social media identity. Not to mention, it was a hit with TikTok users, amassing over a million views and nearly 40,000 likes. 

Not sure where to start in finding the TikTok trends that would be best for your business? We’ve got you covered.

One of the simplest strategies for identifying trends on TikTok is to simply browse your For You page. You’ll likely notice the same style of video or the same audio appearing again and again – a telltale sign of any trend. 

Another tactic is to explore the Sociality.io Trends dashboard. Here you’ll find a round-up of the latest social media trends across various channels, including Twitter/X, YouTube, Google Trends, Facebook, Pinterest, and more. With the help of this all-in-one dashboard, you can stay up to date with the latest trends and ensure your social media accounts never fall behind.

2. Leverage trending hashtags

Trending TikTok hashtags provide excellent insight into what’s currently going viral on the platform. By exploring and using these hashtags on TikTok yourself, you can boost your odds of going viral as well. 

However, while it’s important to use hashtags that are attracting a lot of interest, there’s another key element you need to consider: relevance. Because hashtags are an excellent way to indicate what your content is about, it’s important to be strategic when choosing them. Make sure you’re using hashtags that are not only popular but pertinent to your video. 
To find trending TikTok hashtags, the TikTok Creative Center should be your first stop. Here, you can find trending hashtags, songs, creators, and TikTok videos in countries around the world. You can even customize your search further by searching for the trends in specific industries and/or by setting different time frames.

3. Post consistently and regularly

In the world of social media marketing, consistency is king. Per the TikTok algorithm, every video you post has an equal chance of going viral. By this logic, the more regularly you post, the higher your odds of going viral. Not to mention, posting consistently helps convey a sense of reliability to your growing audience, which does wonders for building brand trust. 

Remember: regularity doesn’t necessarily mean frequency. Rather than posting a video every day for a week and then nothing for a month, it’s better to post two videos per week on a long-term basis. Think critically about what’s going to be sustainable for your team. 

Additionally, while you want to be posting regularly, you also want to be posting strategically. This means identifying your top-performing videos as well as the best time and best day to post on TikTok according to your followers’ behaviors and trends. 

Identifying these elements is easy with the help of TikTok Analytics, which can be accessed directly through the app or via Sociality.io. With the help of the Analytics module, you can not only inform your posting tendencies but attract the right followers, extend your account’s reach, and assess your engagement rate. 

4. Collaborate with other content creators

From Gymshark’s latest collab with “it girl” influencer Alix Earle to Nespresso’s integration of soccer superstar David Beckham, influencer marketing is all around us. In this booming form of social media marketing, brands partner with top TikTokers, influencers, and/or celebrities to promote certain products or services.

Some of the top benefits of working with influencers on TikTok include exposure to new audiences, increased brand awareness, and boosted credibility. When done in a timely way, these collaborations can even enable brands to capitalize on the buzz around a particular figure. 

In the example of David Beckham’s Nespresso ad, the TikTok was perfectly timed, coming just a few weeks after the release and rise of the former soccer player’s Netflix documentary series, Beckham. The limited series was largely well-received by viewers – so much so that David Beckham even earned half a million new social media followers after its release. The positive reception seems to have extended to Nespresso’s partnership with Beckham, with one user commenting, “The collab we didn’t know we needed 😍😍”.

While your business may not have the budget to partner with A-list celebrities, influencer marketing could still be within reach. Learn more about micro-influencer marketing and how it can uplevel your social media marketing. 

5. Upgrade to a TikTok business account

On TikTok, there are two types of accounts: a Personal/Creator account and a Business account. Personal accounts are most commonly used by public figures, content creators, and individual users, while Business accounts are for companies and brands that want to leverage TikTok for marketing purposes. 

If you haven’t already, upgrading to a Business account could be a key stepping stone in going viral. There are many perks you’ll gain by switching to a Business account, such as access to advanced commercial-focused tools (e.g. the Business Creative Hub) and analytics insights that can help you develop informed marketing strategies. 

To switch from a Personal account to a Business account on TikTok, here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. In the app, click the Profile button at the bottom.
2. Click Menu.
3. Click Settings and privacy.
4. Press Manage account.
5. Click Switch to Business Account and follow the remaining instructions to complete the switch.

6. Create engaging and share-worthy content

Knowing how to make a TikTok video is one thing – but knowing how to make a share-worthy TikTok is another thing entirely. 

Share-worthy content – which is, as the name suggests, content that other users want to share – can come in various forms. It can be a funny meme-style video, an informative explanation of a relevant topic, or a lipsync of a relatable trending sound. 

While it’s important to create content that is engaging, it’s also crucial that it aligns with your brand. For instance, if your brand tone of voice is light and informal, incorporating funny sounds or memes in your TikTok videos is likely appropriate. If your company’s identity is more formal and stoic, opt for informative content. Similarly, the topics highlighted in your video should be relevant to what your brand provides and/or stands for. 
Consider BÉIS, the American luxury luggage brand. With over 355,000 followers on the platform (at the time of publication), the brand is something of a masterclass in engaging content. In one of its pinned videos, founder and actress Shay Mitchell explains one of the most unique features of the company’s suitcases: the built-in luggage scale. In just 18 seconds, Shay describes how the scale works and where you can find it on the suitcase, before cracking a joke and walking off-camera. The TikTok is informative and helpful but still light – which is why it’s no surprise it’s been shared over 21,000 times.

7. Use trending sounds and music to go viral on TikTok

From lipsyncs to breakout songs, audio is a key ingredient in TikTok’s virality formula. Be sure to boost your odds of going viral by using trending sounds and music in your videos. 

While you can search for trending songs in TikTok’s Creative Center, it’s important to remember that, as a Business account holder, you’ll only have access to songs in the Commercial Music Library. When editing a video, click the Add sound button at the top of your screen. This will open the Commercial Music Library. Here, you can explore songs by category or tap on the TikTok Viral playlist to see what songs are gaining popularity on the platform. 

You can also explore what songs and sounds are being used by other brands by simply scrolling through your For You page. 

Alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, why not make your own TikTok audio? That’s right – TikTok even allows you to create your own sound. Check out our full step-by-step guide on creating your own TikTok audio here. 

8. Make the most of TikTok captions

The text accompanying your video – also known as the caption – is often just as important as the content of the video itself. Captions can help massively in capturing and maintaining users’ attention as well as improving the value and accessibility of your content. 

Writing good TikTok captions is a fine art; it’s not simply a matter of staying within the character count and avoiding spelling mistakes. Effective captions are those that are relevant, engaging, and resonate with your target audience. This could come in the form of a question, a witty expression, or a brief sentence that integrates slang – the style of caption you use will simply depend on your brand identity and demographic.

Ryanair is a great example of a business using captions to complement their videos. Known for its sassy and comedic tone, Ryanair predominantly targets Gen-Z TikTok users, particularly with its slang-filled captions which appeal to this audience. 

FAQs

How long can a TikTok be?

A TikTok can be up to 10 minutes long. 

How many views is considered “viral” on TikTok?

There is no specific figure that constitutes virality on TikTok; however, many marketers consider at least a million views to be viral. 

How do I get my TikTok to go viral?

By following all of the steps outlined above, you can improve your chances of going viral on TikTok.

How long does it take for a TikTok video to go viral?

In general, TikTok videos reach their peak number of views within three to seven days. 

How can I get more views on TikTok?

Check out our comprehensive guide to discover how to get more views on TikTok.

Conclusion

Going viral on TikTok requires a blend of creativity, consistency, and comprehension of TikTok’s algorithm. Fortunately, the process is made even easier when you have the right TikTok tools in your toolkit, including Sociality.io. 

With Sociality.io, you can not only schedule your posts, manage comments, and oversee team members, but you can draw meaningful insights from your analytics and drive growth. Plus, you can even communicate your TikTok performance to stakeholders with easy-to-export reports in various formats. Learn more about TikTok marketing via Sociality.io.