---
title: 'The Entire TikTok Algorithm Explained in 120 Seconds'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=AGkRkNuhO_o'
video_id: 'AGkRkNuhO_o'
date: 2026-08-27
duration_sec: 120
channel: 'dmscales'
---

# The Entire TikTok Algorithm Explained in 120 Seconds

> Source: [The Entire TikTok Algorithm Explained in 120 Seconds](https://youtube.com/watch?v=AGkRkNuhO_o)

## Summary

This video provides a concise, 120-second breakdown of how TikTok's algorithm works, from pre-post trust signals to the two-stage testing process and monetization requirements. It emphasizes that the algorithm's sole goal is to keep users on the platform longer, and offers practical advice for creators to optimize their content strategy.

### Key Points

- **Pre-Post Trust Signals** [00:01] — TikTok tracks your device, internet connection, screen size, time zone, and more. If any match a previously banned or flagged account, your content is suppressed.
- **Building Trust as a New Account** [00:15] — New accounts should wait a couple of days and interact with videos to prove they are real people. Posting immediately signals low trust.
- **The Algorithm's Core Goal** [00:28] — TikTok's only goal is to keep users in the app longer, as more time means more ads watched and more money.
- **Initial Test Group** [00:41] — Videos are first shown to a test group of 200–500 people who watch similar content. TikTok tracks completion rate, replays, and other signals.
- **Wave-Based Pushing** [00:55] — If a video passes the test, it's pushed to a wave of around 5,000 viewers, then to larger waves if it continues to pass. Failure stops the push.
- **Posting Frequency and Analysis** [01:08] — Posting too often can hurt the algorithm and risk audience fatigue. After posting, TikTok studies the best-performing video to inform future recommendations.
- **Monetization and RPMs** [01:33] — Reaching 10K followers and 100K views in the last 30 days unlocks the Creator Rewards program. RPMs vary based on audience demographics—richer viewers mean higher payouts.

## Transcript

it's safe to push out your content. During this time, TikTok tracks and your device to your internet connection to your screen size to your time zone many other things. If any of those match a previously banned or suspicious
flagged [music] before you even post a single video. If your videos aren't account, it means TikTok doesn't trust that you will post good content. To least a [music] couple days on a new page. Scroll and interact with videos in
prove TikTok that you're a real person. Accounts that post immediately with no TikTok, just like every other short-form app, only cares about one thing: keeping possible because more time in the app means more ads watched and more money
algorithm makes comes from that one goal. When you post a video, that video system first and then gets pushed to a cool test group of 200 to 500 people who already watch content like yours. TikTok tracks the completion rate, the replays,
comes in. If the video passes, it gets pushed to a wave around 5 [music] every wave it clears. If it fails, it stops there. You shouldn't be posting hurting the algorithm and also risking [music] audience fatigue. After your
study the video that performed the best. TikTok's telling you that content worked that video. Different to how YouTube Shorts works, every TikTok video gets how your last one performed. If you get a video to go viral, it doesn't mean the
people [music] and get guaranteed to have more views. What it does is you'll to engage with your next video because TikTok is more willing to show your content to your followers first. Once you reach 10K followers and 100K views
for the Creator Rewards program. TikTok RPMs vary a lot. Advertisers will pay to richer viewers. [music] So, if you want the highest RPMs, you should be But, it's pretty hard to get monetized if you can't think of content to make.
on my channel of a bunch of viral short-form niches. These are all niches You can easily move these niches from YouTube to TikTok where they won't be out. And if you want a free personalized channel review, join the Discord.