How to Get More Likes on TikTok After Posting

You’ve meticulously edited a video, found the perfect trending audio, wrote a compelling caption, and hit 'Post' - only to watch the view count stall. It’s a frustratingly common experience on TikTok, where an algorithm decides a video's fate in what feels like minutes. But what if the fate of your video isn't sealed the moment it goes live? This guide covers the actionable strategies you can use to breathe new life into a TikTok and get more likes, comments, and views *after* you’ve already posted it.

The Golden Hour Isn't Always the Final Word

There's a common belief on TikTok that the first hour after posting - often called the "golden hour" - determines a video’s success. The theory is that if your video performs well with its initial test audience, the algorithm will push it to a much wider audience on the For You Page (FYP). While there's truth to this, it's not the full story.

The TikTok algorithm is constantly gathering data points. Strong initial performance signals are fantastic, but they aren't the only signals it looks for. A video can get a second, third, or even fourth wind if new, strong engagement signals appear later on. A sudden rush of comments, a spike in shares, or an influx of views from an external source can tell the algorithm, "Hey, maybe we should show this to more people." Your job after posting is to create those signals yourself. Don't just post and pray, post and *promote*.

Foster a Thriving Comment Section

The comment section is the single most powerful tool you have for boosting a video after it's live. Comments aren't just for feedback, they are glowing indicators of engagement that the algorithm loves. Every comment and reply adds fuel to the fire. An active comment section tells TikTok that your content is interesting enough to start a conversation, which is a powerful metric for virality. Here’s how you can take control.

Respond to Every Single Comment (Especially Early On)

This is non-negotiable, particularly on a young video. Responding to a comment does two important things:

• It makes your community feel seen and appreciated, encouraging others to join the conversation.
• It doubles your comment count. One comment from a viewer plus your reply equals two comments in the eyes of the algorithm.

Don't just reply with a simple "Thanks!" or an emoji. Aim for replies that extend the conversation.

Ask Open-Ended Questions in Your Replies

Turn a simple comment into a genuine interaction. Asking questions encourages the original commenter (and others reading the thread) to reply again, creating a back-and-forth that significantly boosts your video's engagement metrics. A conversation in your comments section keeps people on your video longer, which increases watch time.

Example:

• Viewer Comment: "Wow, that editing trick looks cool!"
• Weak Reply: "Thanks so much! 😊"
• Strong Reply: "Thank you! I almost gave up on it. Have you ever tried an edit like this?"

The second response invites another reply, potentially starting a longer discussion about editing techniques that draws others in.

Strategically Use the "Reply with video" Feature

Some comments provide the perfect opportunity for a follow-up video. The "Reply with video" feature is an excellent way to address a frequent question or expand on a topic from your original post. This move is strategic because it automatically links the new video back to the original comment, driving curious viewers from the follow-up post back to the first one.

This is perfect for comments like:

• "Where did you get that shirt?"
• "Can you explain that last step again?"
• "What happened next?!"

This not only revives the original video by sending new traffic its way but also gives you an easy content idea that you know your audience is already interested in.

Pin Your Favorite Comment (or Your Own)

Pinning a comment puts it at the very top of the comment section for every viewer to see. You can use this feature strategically to shape the conversation.

• Pin an Intriguing Question: Find a comment that asks a great question and pin it. This will encourage others to respond with their own answers underneath it.
• Pin a Funny Comment: Pinning a hilarious or witty comment sets a positive tone and can earn the pinned comment more likes, leading to more engagement.
• Pin Your Own Question: If no one is asking the "right" question, ask it yourself from your own account. Pose a question related to your video and pin your own comment, like, "Real talk: has anyone actually tried this? I want to hear your stories!"

Drive External Traffic to Your TikTok

Waiting for the For You Page to bless your video isn't the only strategy. One of the quickest ways to give a stalling video a new lease on life is to drive traffic from other places where you already have an audience. Every external view is a new signal to the algorithm.

Share to Instagram Stories the Right Way

Don't just drop the link on your Instagram Story and hope people click. You need to create some intrigue. Try one of these methods:

• The Cliffhanger: Post just the first few seconds of your TikTok video to your Story, cutting it off right before the most interesting part. Add text like, "See how it ends on TikTok" with the link sticker.
• The Poll Primer: Before sharing the link, use a poll or question sticker. If your TikTok debunks a myth, your Story could start with a poll: "Myth: You should wash your hair every day. TRUE or FALSE?" After people vote, the next slide can be the link to your TikTok with the text, "I finally tested this. Here are the real results."

Cross-Promote on Other Text-Based Platforms

Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Threads are great for adding context and driving clicks. Don't just post the link. Tell people *why* they should watch. Create a short, punchy hook that teases the value or entertainment in the video.

Example: "Spent the last week trying the 'viral' productivity hack that’s all over my FYP. Not sharing the results on here, but let's just say they are … not what I expected. The full breakdown is on my TikTok." followed by the link.

Tap into Niche Communities Respectfully

If your video is hyper-relevant to a specific community, sharing it on platforms like Reddit, Discord, or in relevant Facebook Groups can send a wave of highly engaged viewers your way. But this comes with a huge warning: do not spam. Engage in these communities genuinely before you ever share your own content. When you do share, frame it as a valuable contribution, not an advertisement. Asking for feedback or starting a discussion around the video often works better than a generic "Check out my new TikTok!" post.

Leverage Duets and Stitches

If your video has a format that invites a reaction - like a strong opinion, a challenge, a question, or a surprising reveal - you can ignite engagement by inviting a Duet or Stitch. The simplest way is to add a call-to-action in your caption or comments: "Duet this and show me your version!"

A more hands-on approach is to have a friend or use a second account to Stitch or Duet your video. This creates a parallel piece of content that links back to your original, injecting it with renewed relevance and directing attention back to it. A funny or contradictory take can often spark a thread of reactions, with your original video at the center of it all.

Never, EVER Delete and Re-Post

It can be tempting to delete a video that's performing poorly and re-post it, hoping for a better result. Don’t do it. TikTok has flagged this behavior as spammy in the past, and it can harm your account's standing. Deleting a video also erases any data you could have learned from it. Even a "failed" video offers lessons about what your audience didn't respond to. Where did the viewership drop off? Was the hook not strong enough? Did the audio choice not resonate? Check your analytics before moving on.

Instead of deleting it, focus your energy on the strategies above. If nothing works, just let it be and apply your learnings to your next creation. Every video is a learning opportunity, not a final exam.

Give It a Paid Push with Promote

If your video is particularly important - perhaps it's for your business, promoting a new product, or tied to a key brand message - you might consider using TikTok's built-in "Promote" feature. This is essentially a user-friendly ad tool that lets you pay to push your video out to a specific target audience you define.

This shouldn't be your go-to strategy for every video, as authentic, organic growth is always more sustainable. However, for high-stakes content, the Promote feature can act as a powerful way to guarantee that your video gets in front of new eyes, helping kickstart the organic engagement you need to catch the algorithm’s attention.

Final Thoughts

Getting more likes on TikTok is about more than just what you do before you hit the post button. The real work often begins afterward. By actively engaging in your comment section, driving external traffic, and thinking strategically about cross-promotion, you can signal to the algorithm that your content is worth a second look.

Honestly, managing a continuous stream of content and engaging with your community across multiple platforms can quickly become overwhelming. It’s part of the reason we built an all-in-one social media management tool like Postbase in the first place. With a modern platform that helps us plan weeks of video content on a visual calendar and reply to comments from every platform in one inbox, we find we have far more time to focus on the creative strategies– like the ones in this guide– that actually grow an account.