How to Fix the TikTok Algorithm

Is your TikTok For You Page suddenly full of videos you have zero interest in? What was once a perfectly curated stream of entertainment and inspiration is now a bizarre mix of content that makes you wonder if the algorithm forgot who you are entirely. This guide will walk you through exactly why your FYP goes off the rails and provide concrete, step-by-step instructions on how to steer it back on course, transforming it into the content feed you actually want to see.

Why Your TikTok 'For You Page' Feels Broken

Before you can fix the algorithm, it helps to understand how it works and why it sometimes gets things so wrong. It’s not a random glitch, it’s a feedback loop that has simply learned the wrong lessons. Your goal is to become an active teacher, correcting its mistakes and reinforcing what you actually enjoy.

How TikTok Learns What You Like

The TikTok algorithm is an incredibly sophisticated system designed to do one thing: keep you on the app as long as possible by showing you content it thinks you’ll love. It learns your preferences by watching your every move. The strongest signals you send are:

• Watch Time &, Completion: Do you watch a video all the way through? Do you watch it more than once? The longer you watch, the stronger the signal you’re sending that you like this type of content.
• Active Engagement: Every like, comment, share, and save tells a story. When you engage with a video, you’re essentially telling the algorithm, “More of this, please.”
• Account Follows: Following a creator is a major signal that you’re highly interested in their content and niche. The algorithm will then show you more from them and from similar creators.
• Search History: The topics, sounds, and creators you actively search for give the algorithm direct insight into your current interests.
• The 'Not Interested' Button: This is your most powerful tool for telling the algorithm what you don't want. More on this later, but it’s a direct and powerful “no thank you.”

Why It Sometimes Gets It Wrong

If the system is so smart, how does your feed get filled with cringe-worthy skits or oddly specific DIY videos you’d never want to watch? It usually happens for one of a few reasons:

• Accidental Rabbit Holes: We’ve all been there. You watch one video about restoring old furniture out of curiosity, then another, and suddenly your whole feed is filled with sanding, staining, and varnishing. The algorithm mistook a fleeting curiosity for a new passion.
• Hate-Watching: If you keep watching a video from a creator you can't stand just to see how bad it gets, the algorithm only sees watch time. To it, your attention - positive or negative - is a vote for more.
• Sharing Your Phone: Did you let a friend, cousin, or child scroll through your TikTok? Their viewing habits have probably taught the algorithm some very confusing lessons about what "you" like.
• Your Tastes Have Changed: The content you loved months ago might not be what you’re interested in today. The algorithm can be slow to catch on, continuing to serve you content based on your old patterns.

Whatever the cause, the solution is the same: you have to intentionally retrain the algorithm and remind it what you're really here for.

How to Fix Your TikTok Algorithm: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to take back control? Follow these steps in order to perform a hard reset on your For You Page. This isn't just about clearing a cache, it's about actively curating your feed and teaching the algorithm to work for you again.

Step 1: Perform a "Soft Reset" by Clearing Your Cache

This is the easiest and fastest first step. While this won't change your content recommendations on its own, clearing your cache can help the app run smoother and wipe some of the low-level data associated with your session. It’s like clearing the slate before you start redecorating.

How to Clear Your Cache:

1. Go to your Profile tab in the bottom right corner.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the hamburger menu) in the top right.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Scroll down to the "Cache &, Cellular" section and tap Free up space.
5. Tap the Clear button next to "Cache."

Step 2: Actively "Un-Train" the Algorithm with 'Not Interested'

This is your most important tool. For the next 10-15 minutes, scroll through your For You Page with a critical eye. Your only mission is to identify content you do not want to see and tell TikTok so, forcefully.

Whenever you see a video that doesn't fit your desired vibe, immediately stop scrolling and communicate your disapproval:

How to Use 'Not Interested':

1. Press and hold your finger on the middle of the video you dislike.
2. A menu will pop up. Tap Not interested.
3. For an even stronger signal, you can then tap “More details” and choose to hide videos from that specific creator or that use a particular sound.

Do this for a dozen or more videos in a row. Be ruthless. This sends TikTok a cascade of negative feedback that overrides a lot of your past passive viewing history. You are explicitly telling the system, "You've got it all wrong. Stop showing me this."

Step 3: Go on a Purposeful Following and Engagement Spree

Now that you've told TikTok what you don't like, it's time to show it what you do like. Stop being a passive scroller and become an active curator for the next 15-20 minutes.

A Strategy for Positive Retraining:

• Use the Search Bar: Don’t rely on your broken FYP for discovery. Go to the Discover/Search tab and actively search for topics you love. Think "easy weeknight recipes," "studio apartment tours," "pottery tips," or "indie game reviews."
• Engage with Top Results: When you search for a topic, scroll through the results. Find 5-10 videos you genuinely enjoy. For each one:
  • Watch it all the way through (maybe even twice).
  • Give it a Like.
  • Leave a relevant Comment ("This looks amazing!" or "Great tip!").
  • Favorite/Save the video by tapping the bookmark icon.
• Follow New Creators: Find at least 5-10 new accounts that are perfectly aligned with your interests and hit the follow button. This is a massive signal to the algorithm about the communities and content styles you want to be a part of.

Step 4: Unfollow Irrelevant Accounts

Your followers list is a primary source of data for the recommendation engine. Over time, you’ve likely followed accounts you are no longer interested in. It's time for a cleanse.

Go to your profile, tap on "Following," and scroll through the list. If you see a creator whose content no longer resonates with you, unfollow them. This removes their signal from your algorithm's equation and helps sharpen its focus on what you're into right now.

Keeping Your For You Page Fresh for Good

Fixing your algorithm isn't a one-time event, it's an ongoing practice. Once you have your FYP back on track, use these habits to keep it that way and prevent needing another hard reset.

Be Mindful of Passive Scrolling

The biggest cause of a haywire algorithm is letting the app auto-play content you don’t care about. If a video comes on that you're not invested in, swipe away immediately. Don't let it finish. Short watch time is a negative signal - use it to your advantage.

Lean into Your Favorites

The "Favorites" (bookmark) feature is a powerful tool. When you find a video you truly love, a sound you want to use later, or an effect that catches your eye, save it. Curating your favorites collections reinforces your deepest interests and provides a clear signal of your taste.

Use Search for Intentional Discovery

Continue to use the search bar as your primary tool for finding new content. Instead of just waiting for the algorithm to serve you something, proactively seek out creators and trends in your niches. This way, you lead the algorithm instead of letting it lead you.

Final Thoughts

You have far more influence over your TikTok experience than you might think. By being more intentional with your actions - clearing your cache, aggressively using the 'Not interested' button, and actively seeking out and engaging with content you love - you can effectively retrain the algorithm and curate a For You Page that truly feels like it was made for you.

As you become more intentional about the content you consume, it's natural to apply that same focus to the content you create. Managing your publishing schedule shouldn’t feel like you’re fighting with an outdated tool that wasn't designed for today's visual, video-first world. We built Postbase because we knew creators and marketers needed a modern, streamlined way to manage their content. Seeing your entire schedule on a visual calendar, publishing videos natively across multiple platforms, and tracking your performance without hassle makes it easy to stay consistent and grow your audience, starting with TikTok.

```