How to Get More Likes and Views on TikTok

Getting your TikToks in front of more people - and getting them to actually tap that heart button - can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. But growing an audience isn't about random luck, it's about understanding the platform and creating content that connects. This guide breaks down the actionable strategies you need to master the algorithm, hook viewers instantly, and consistently build a following that loves what you do.

Master the "For You" Page: How the TikTok Algorithm Works

Your Content’s Personal Matchmaker

Think of the TikTok algorithm as a powerful matchmaker. Its single job is to serve users a never-ending stream of content tailored precisely to what they like. The better it does its job, the longer people stay on the app. To get more views and likes on TikTok, your goal is to show this algorithm that your video is a perfect match for a specific audience.

The algorithm looks at a few key signals to decide who to show your video to:

• User Interactions: This is the most important factor. The algorithm pays close attention to how people engage with your content. This includes likes, comments, shares, saves, and especially video completion rate. A video that people watch all the way through (or even multiple times) sends a huge signal that it’s high-quality content.
• Video Information: These are the details you provide. The algorithm reads your caption, sees the hashtags you use, and analyzes the audio you’ve chosen. This helps it categorize your video and understand its subject matter.
• Device & Account Settings: Less important, but still a factor. This includes things like user language preference, country setting, and device type. It helps TikTok initially test your video with a small, local audience before potentially pushing it to a wider one.

Hook Them Immediately: The 3-Second Rule

Your Digital Elevator Pitch

On TikTok, attention is the only currency that matters, and you have about three seconds to earn it before a viewer scrolls away. If the beginning of your video doesn’t immediately grab their attention, they’re gone. This first moment is your hook, and it’s the most important part of your video.

A strong hook creates an open loop, presents a problem, or promises a surprising outcome. Here are a few formats that work extremely well:

• Ask a Question: "Did you know you've been using your air fryer all wrong?"
• Start with the Climax: Show the stunning final result of a DIY project or recipe before you show the process.
• Make a Bold or Contrarian Statement: "Here’s why your resume is getting ignored (and it’s not what you think)."
• Create Relatable Suspense: "The five things I would never do as a real estate agent..."

Get into the habit of planning your hook first. If you can’t make the start of your video compelling, the brilliant content that follows won't matter because no one will stick around to see it.

Find Your Niche (and Own It)

Become the Go-To Source for Something

It’s tempting to follow every trend and post about a million different topics, but the fastest way to get more likes and views on TikTok is to become known for one thing. When you consistently create content around a specific topic - whether it's vegan recipes, Excel tips, or vintage fashion - you send a clear signal to the algorithm. It learns exactly who your content is for and gets better at showing it to them.

This approach accomplishes two things:

1. It builds a loyal audience. People who are interested in sourdough starters will follow you for more sourdough content. If your next video is a dance challenge, they’ll be confused and lose interest.
2. It makes your account referable. When you’re "the person who explains complex finance topics simply" or "the thrifter who finds hidden gems," your audience knows what to expect and is more likely to share your content with like-minded friends.

Pick a subject you're passionate and knowledgeable about. Then create a steady stream of content that solves problems or provides entertainment for people interested in that specific topic.

Use Trending Sounds and Music to Your Advantage

Get an Algorithm Boost with What’s Already Popular

Using trending audio is one of the easiest ways to give your videos a visibility boost. When a sound or song is popular, TikTok tends to push content featuring it to more For You Pages. The algorithm already knows users enjoy content with that audio, so it feels like a safer bet to show them more of it.

Here’s how to find and use trending sounds effectively:

• As You Scroll: Pay attention to the sounds you hear repeatedly on your For You Page. If a sound keeps popping up, it's likely a trend. Tap the rotating record icon in the bottom corner to see how many videos have been made with it and save it for later.
• In the Creator Center: TikTok actually tells you what’s trending. Go to your profile, tap the three lines in the top right, and check out the "Creator tools," where you can often find dedicated sections for trending sounds and hashtags.
• Keep it relevant: Don’t just tack a random trending sound onto an unrelated video. Find a way to connect the audio’s feeling, lyrics, or the trend format itself to your niche. A business coach lip-syncing to a popular snippet is more effective than just playing the song over a talking-head video.

Develop a Strategic Hashtag Strategy

Go Beyond #FYP and #ForYou

Relying solely on generic hashtags like #viral and #fyp is a missed opportunity. While they might help a little, they do nothing to tell the algorithm what your content is about. A smart hashtag strategy gets your content in front of a highly targeted audience that is more likely to engage, which is how you really get more views on TikTok.

For each post, use a balanced mix of 3-5 relevant hashtags:

• Broad Hashtags (1-2): These relate to your high-level industry. Think #baking, #marketingtips, or #photographytips. They have high traffic but also high competition.
• Niche-Specific Hashtags (2-3): This is where you connect with your ideal audience. Instead of #baking, a baker might use #sourdoughscoring or #croissantlamination. These tags attract people with a deeper interest in your specific topic.
• Content-Specific Hashtags (1-2): These describe exactly what's in the video itself, like #chocolaterecipe or #headshottutorial.

Think of it as giving the algorithm a clear roadmap. The broad hashtags set the general direction, but the niche tags point to the exact destination where your perfect audience lives.

Create Content that Tells a Story

High Quality Doesn’t Mean High Budget

TikTok favors authentic, in-the-moment content, but that doesn’t mean quality doesn’t matter. "High quality" on TikTok means delivering value and being easy to consume. You don't need a fancy camera, but you do need to cover the basics:

• Clear Audio: Viewers are way more likely to scroll past a video with bad, muffled audio than one with slightly less-than-perfect video. Use a plugin microphone or even just your phone's headphones with a built-in mic.
• Good Lighting: Film facing a window to take advantage of natural light. If you can’t, a simple ring light makes a massive difference in how professional your video looks.
• Fast Pacing and Engaging Edits: Use quick cuts, on-screen text callouts, and zoom effects to keep a viewer’s attention. Don’t let any single shot linger for too long without something changing on screen.

More importantly, frame your videos as stories. People connect with narratives far more than they do with a dry list of facts. Instead of just "3 tips for a better morning routine," show your morning routine and weave the tips into the narrative. Show a before-and-after transformation, document your process of conquering a challenge, or share a behind-the-scenes look at your work. Stories create an emotional connection, which leads directly to more likes, comments, and shares.

Post Consistently and Engage with Your Community

Turn Viewers into Followers

Growing on TikTok is a long game built on consistency and community. Building momentum means you have to show up on a regular basis. "Consistently" doesn’t have to mean posting multiple times per day. Find a sustainable schedule - whether it's three times a week or once a day - and stick with it.

Just as important as posting is engaging. Social media is a two-way street. When your video starts getting likes and comments, respond to them! This fosters a community around your content and sends positive signals to the algorithm.

• Reply to a comment with a video: This is a powerful feature that not enough people use. It makes the commenter feel seen and gives you an easy source for new content ideas whenever you feel stuck.
• Engage on other videos in your niche: Don’t just broadcast. Go watch, like, and leave thoughtful comments on videos posted by other creators in your space. This makes you a visible member of your niche community.
• Go Live: Once you have a small following, going live is a fantastic way to connect with your most dedicated fans in real-time, answer questions, and build stronger relationships beyond the comment section.

Analyze Your TikTok Analytics

Double Down on What Is Already Working

Your TikTok Analytics are a goldmine of information that tells you exactly what your audience wants to see from you more often. To access them, switch to a Business or Creator Account (it's free). Once you have a few videos up with some views, go to "Creator tools" in your settings and tap "Analytics."

In the "Content" tab, you can dive into individual video performance. Pay special attention to these metrics:

• Average Watch Time: This shows how long people stick around before scrolling away. Compare this number to the video's total length. A high average watch time tells the algorithm your video is good at retaining attention.
• Full Video Completions: This shows the percentage of people who watched your video from start to finish. A high completion rate is one of the strongest positive signals you can send. If people are leaving within the first few seconds, you know your hook needs work.
• Traffic Source "For You": Look at what percentage of your views are coming from the For You Page. This shows how well the algorithm is picking up your content and distributing it to new audiences.

By analyzing your performance, you can move away from guessing and start an actual strategy. Recognize the patterns in your top videos. Is there a certain topic, format (like tutorials or telling stories), or hook style that always performs well? Find what's resonating with your audience and create more of it.

Final Thoughts

Growing a following on TikTok isn't about getting lucky with one viral video, it’s about creating a system. It's about knowing your audience, hooking their attention, providing consistent value through smart and engaging content, and learning from your results to get better over time.

Of course, staying consistent with your TikToks while juggling Instagram reels, YouTube shorts, and other platforms can feel exhausting. That’s why we built Postbase with modern, short-form video in mind. Our visual calendar lets you plan all your content in one place, while our reliable scheduling helps you publish everywhere at once, seamlessly. With Postbase taking care of the logistics, you can spend less time managing uploads and more time creating the content your audience loves.