Let me tell you something that might sting a little: I’ve posted over 200 TikTok videos, and maybe 10 of them actually took off.

The rest? They’re sitting there with double-digit views, haunting my profile like digital tumbleweeds.

But here’s the thing those 10 viral videos taught me everything I needed to know about cracking TikTok’s code.

After months of trial and error (okay, mostly error), I finally figured out the TikTok videos tips to go viral that actually work.

Proven Tips to Get More Views on TikTok

1. Understand the TikTok Algorithm First

First things first the algorithm isn’t some evil robot trying to suppress your content. Think of it more like a really efficient matchmaker, trying to connect your videos with people who’ll actually enjoy them.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me earlier: the algorithm doesn’t care how many followers you have. I’ve seen brand new accounts blow up overnight because they understood one simple truth completion rate is everything.

When people watch your entire video, TikTok thinks, “This person made something worth watching,” and starts showing it to more people. The For You Page is your golden ticket, and getting there is simpler than you think. Focus on creating content that people can’t scroll away from, and the algorithm will do the heavy lifting for you.

2. Nail the First 3 Seconds of Your Video

I used to overthink my video openings, trying to build suspense like I was directing a Marvel movie. Big mistake. On TikTok, you’ve got about three seconds the time it takes to say “Wait, what?” to hook someone.

My best-performing videos start with hooks like “This changed my entire perspective” or “I can’t believe I didn’t know this.” Are they dramatic? Absolutely. Do they work? You bet. Visual hooks work just as well.

One of my viral videos started with me holding up a weird kitchen gadget without any explanation. People stuck around just to figure out what the heck it was. Sometimes curiosity is your best friend.

3. Use Trending Sounds and Hashtags Smartly

Here’s where most people mess up with trending audio they copy everyone else exactly. I see the same dance to the same sound a thousand times, and honestly, it gets old fast.

The real magic happens when you take a trending sound and flip it. Maybe everyone’s using a relationship audio for dating content, but you use it to talk about your relationship with coffee. Suddenly, you’re not just another face in the crowd.

I spend about 10 minutes every morning just scrolling through trending sounds, asking myself, “How can I make this about my niche?” That simple habit has led to some of my biggest viral moments.

4. Optimize Video Length and Format

I learned this lesson the hard way when I posted a 60-second masterpiece that I spent hours editing. People watched about 15 seconds and bounced. Meanwhile, my throwaway 20-second video from the same day got 50,000 views.

The sweet spot is 15-30 seconds. It’s enough time to deliver value without testing anyone’s patience. Think of it like this: you’re not making a documentary; you’re making a preview that leaves people wanting more.

And please, for the love of all things viral, film vertically. I cringe every time I see a horizontal video awkwardly cropped on TikTok. Your content should look like it belongs there, not like you accidentally held your phone wrong.

5. Leverage User Engagement Techniques

Comments aren’t just nice to have they’re rocket fuel for the algorithm. But asking “What do you think?” isn’t going to cut it. You need to give people something specific to react to. I’ve found that slightly controversial opinions work wonders.

Not offensive stuff, just things people have strong feelings about. “Pineapple belongs on pizza” will get you more engagement than “Food is good.” Here’s a trick that’s never failed me: end your videos with a question that has multiple possible answers.

“What’s your biggest productivity hack?” gets way more responses than “Do you like productivity tips?”

6. Post Consistently and at Peak Times

I used to post whenever I finished editing, usually at 2 AM because that’s when my creative juices flow. Turns out, most of my audience was asleep, and my videos were getting buried by morning.

Now I post between 6-9 PM on weekdays, and my engagement has doubled. But here’s the thing your audience might be completely different. Check your analytics and post when your specific followers are actually scrolling.

Consistency matters more than perfection. I’d rather post a decent video every day than spend a week perfecting one video. The algorithm rewards regular creators who keep people coming back to the app.

7. Buy TikTok Views the Smart Way

Let’s face it sometimes even great TikTok videos need a little extra push to gain traction. It’s like starting a fire; even the best kindling needs a spark. You can boost TikTok views to help your top videos get past that crucial first hurdle where many posts struggle to take off.

When viewers see a video already gaining attention, they’re more likely to join in and engage naturally.

The key is to use this boost only on content you truly believe in. Don’t try to force momentum on every video. Instead, strategically use this increase in views to help your best work reach a wider audience and encourage genuine organic growth.

8. Analyze and Adapt Based on Video Performance

Your analytics are like a crystal ball showing you exactly what your audience wants. I check mine religiously, not because I’m obsessed with numbers, but because they tell me stories about what works and what doesn’t.

When a video flops, I don’t just shrug and move on. I dig into why. Was the hook weak? Did I lose people at a specific moment? Did I post at the wrong time? Every failure is a lesson in disguise. But here’s what’s even more important study your successes.

When something works, figure out why and do it again. I had a video about productivity hacks blow up, so I made an entire series about it. Sometimes the algorithm is literally telling you what content to create next.

Conclusion

Look, I’m not going to promise you overnight viral fame. What I can promise is that if you consistently apply these strategies, you’ll see improvement. Some videos will still flop that’s normal. Even creators with millions of followers have videos that barely get any views.

The difference between creators who eventually succeed and those who give up is simple: the successful ones keep posting. They treat each video as an experiment, learn from the results, and adjust their approach.

Remember, every viral creator started exactly where you are right now with zero followers and a dream. The only difference between them and creators who never made it is that they didn’t give up when their first 50 videos didn’t go viral.

Your breakthrough video might be the next one you post, but only if you actually post it. The algorithm is waiting to see what you’ve got, so stop overthinking and start creating. Your future viral self will thank you.