How to Turn on Views on TikTok

You've posted a TikTok you’re proud of, but the view count is stuck at zero, and you're wondering if there's a hidden setting you forgot to check. It's a frustrating feeling, and you're not alone in searching for a way to just turn on your views. This guide will clarify that common misconception by showing you the one setting that *truly* matters, and more importantly, it will walk you through the practical steps and strategies that actually get your videos seen by the right audience.

Debunking the Myth: There Is No "View On/Off" Switch on TikTok

Let's clear this up right away: outside of one specific privacy setting, there is no magic button or switch to "turn on" views for your TikTok videos. Views on TikTok aren't given, they're earned through the platform's algorithm. When you post a video, TikTok shows it to a small test group of users. Based on how they interact with it - how long they watch, if they like, comment, or share - the algorithm decides whether to push it out to a wider audience, and then an even wider one, and so on. A video going viral is just this process happening on a massive scale.

So, the real question isn't "how to turn on views," but "how do I signal to the algorithm that my content is worth showing to more people?" However, there is one reason your views might be stuck at zero (or limited to just your followers): your account might be set to private. Let's check that first.

How to Check If Your Account Is Private (And How to Fix It)

A private account means only followers you approve can see your videos. This is great for personal use but prevents your content from ever appearing on the For You page (FYP), which is where most new views come from. If your goal is to grow and reach a broader audience, you need a public account.

Here’s how to check your status and change it in seconds:

1. Open the TikTok app and go to your Profile by tapping the icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner to open the menu.
3. Select "Settings and privacy."
4. Tap on "Privacy."
5. At the very top, you'll see a toggle for "Private account." If this switch is turned on (it will be green), your account is private.
6. To make your account public, simply tap the toggle to turn it off. A confirmation pop-up will appear, confirm that you want to switch to a public account.

That's it. This is the closest you'll get to "turning on views." If your account was private, making it public allows the algorithm to start sharing your content with non-followers and gives you a chance to land on the FYP. If it was already public, your low view count is a content and strategy issue, not a settings problem. Let's fix that.

Actionable Strategies to *Actually* Increase Your TikTok Views

Getting views on TikTok is about creating content that people genuinely enjoy and packaging it in a way the algorithm understands. Here are the foundational strategies that a successful creator focuses on every single day.

1. Nail Your First 3 Seconds (The Hook)

The first few seconds of your video are the most important. On the fast-scrolling FYP, you have a fraction of a moment to convince someone to stop and watch. Your opening needs to grab attention immediately. This is called a "hook."

Some powerful hook tactics include:

• Posing a Question: "Have you ever wondered why we don't do [common thing] anymore?"
• Making a Bold Statement: "You've been making coffee wrong your whole life."
• Starting with the Result: Show the final, amazing product of your craft or recipe at the beginning, then show how you made it. For example, show a gloriously decorated cake before showing the mixing process.
• Using Intriguing On-Screen Text: "Three mistakes you're making at the gym every single day."

Don't waste time on long, branded introductions. Get straight to the value or the story. Master the hook, and you'll see your average watch time go up, which is a huge positive signal to the algorithm.

2. Use Trending Sounds and Effects

TikTok is built on trends, and audio is a core part of that ecosystem. Using a trending sound puts your video into a feed with every other video using that sound, giving you an extra distribution channel beyond just the FYP and follower feeds. When a sound is popular, people often enjoy watching different creative takes on it.

How to find them:

• Browse your For You Page: When you hear a sound several times in a short period, it's likely trending. Tap the spinning record icon in the bottom-right to see the sound page and how many videos have used it.
• Look at the "Add Sound" page: When creating a video, tap "Add Sound" at the top. TikTok curates playlists of popular and trending audio right there for you.

Just make sure the sound fits the vibe of your video. Forcing a trend can feel awkward and off-brand.

3. Leverage Relevant Hashtags (The Right Way)

Hashtags help TikTok categorize your content and show it to people interested in that topic. However, jamming 20 irrelevant tags into your caption won't help. A strategic approach works much better.

Aim for a mix of 3-5 smart hashtags:

• Broad Hashtags (1-2): These are general, high-traffic tags like #foodie or #fitness. They have massive audiences but also a lot of competition.
• Niche Hashtags (2-3): These get more specific about your content, like #mealprepideas or #beginnerworkout. The audience is smaller but far more targeted and engaged. These are often where you find your community.
• Trending Hashtags (1, if relevant): If your video fits a specific hashtag trend (#nameofchallenge), include it. But don't force it if it doesn't fit.

For example, a video about making homemade pasta could use: #pastarecipe (niche), #homemadepasta (niche), #italianfood (niche), and #cooking (broad).

4. Post When Your Audience is Most Active

You can create the best video in the world, but if you post it when your target audience is asleep or at work, it won't get the initial traction it needs. Posting when your followers are most active online gives your video an early boost in engagement, which helps it get pushed further by the algorithm.

To access this information, you need a Creator or Business Account (which is free to switch to):

1. Go to "Settings and privacy" >, "Account."
2. Tap "Switch to Business Account" or "Switch to Creator Account." Follow the prompts.
3. Once switched, go back to your main settings menu (the hamburger icon on your profile) and select "Creator tools" or "Business suite."
4. Tap on "Analytics."
5. Go to the "Followers" tab and scroll down to "Follower activity." This will show you the days and hours your followers were most active in the last week.

Schedule your posts for those peak periods to maximize your video's initial performance.

5. Create High-Quality, Visually Appealing Content

"High-quality" doesn't mean you need a Hollywood film crew. It just means creating content that's clear, easy to watch, and visually pleasing. The TikTok algorithm tends to favor videos that meet a certain quality bar.

Focus on the basics:

• Good Lighting: Stand facing a window for natural light whenever possible. If it's dark, a simple ring light works wonders. Avoid being backlit, which puts you in shadow.
• Clear Audio: Speak clearly, or make sure your chosen audio track isn't muffled. Your phone's built-in microphone is usually fine as long as there isn't a lot of background noise.
• Stable Video: Prop your phone up on something instead of holding it if your hands are shaky. A small, inexpensive tripod can make a big difference.
• Use Native Text: Use TikTok's built-in text and captioning features. It makes the video feel more native to the platform and helps people understand your content with the sound off.

6. Keep It Consistent

Posting once a month isn't enough to build momentum. Consistency signals to TikTok that you are an active creator who regularly contributes to the platform. It also gives you more chances to have a video take off and trains your audience to expect content from you.

"Consistent" doesn't mean you have to post three times a day. For most creators, a great starting goal is 3-5 times per week. Find a rhythm that you can maintain without burning out. Quality over quantity is always the right choice, but a predictable schedule is even better.

What to Do When Your Views Suddenly Drop

Sometimes, your views will plummet even if you're following all the best practices. It happens to everyone. Here are a few things to consider:

• Did you violate Community Guidelines? Even accidentally, a post that walks the line could result in temporary suppression of your reach (often called a "shadowban," although TikTok doesn't officially use the term). Review the guidelines and make sure your recent content is in the clear.
• Is your content getting repetitive? If you've been doing the same format for too long, your audience (and the algorithm) might be experiencing fatigue. This is a sign to experiment with a new type of video, a new series, or a new creative angle.
• Is a particular trend or sound over? Trends on TikTok have a short lifespan. What worked last week might be old news today. Stay fresh by continually adapting to what's currently performing well on the platform.

Don't panic over one or two low-performing videos. Look at your performance over a couple of weeks to identify real trends, and keep creating.

Final Thoughts

There's no single switch to turn on views because TikTok thrives on authentic engagement, not settings. Success comes from understanding that the "on" switch is a combination of a strong hook, thoughtful strategy, and consistent effort. By focusing on creating valuable, watchable content and making small optimizations like using trending audio and posting at the right time, you are actively telling the algorithm that your videos are worth sharing.

Staying consistent and organized with your content strategy is often the hardest part, which is something we built to solve. With a tool like Postbase, we make it easy to plan your videos in a visual calendar, schedule them for your peak audience times across all your platforms, and analyze what’s actually working. This way, you can stop worrying about the administrative side of things and focus entirely on creating great TikToks.