What I've Learned from Posting Twice a Day on TikTok for 2 Years

What I've Learned from Posting Twice a Day on TikTok for 2 Years

For the past 2 years, I’ve posted twice a day on TikTok, once in the morning and once in the evening. It was a long and fascinating journey that helped me learn a lot about this unique, ever-evolving platform. Looking to enhance your own TikTok strategy? Here are 5 things I learned from posting on TikTok twice a day for 2 years. 

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The TikTok Experiments, Volume 9: Using Trending Sounds on Every Video for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Volume 9: Using Trending Sounds on Every Video for a Week

In an effort to understand TikTok’s mysterious algorithm, I regularly conduct experiments to learn which tactics help videos gain traction. I’ve experimented with 3 minute videos, CapCut templates, an SEO hack, and more. In September, I experimented with a core component of TikTok videos: trending sounds. I don’t use trending sounds often; they’re not usually conducive to the kind of content I make. But trending sounds are supposed to be important in getting your videos seen, so for one week, I used trending sounds on every video I shared. To be frank, the results were surprising. 

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 8: Posting Only 3 Minute Videos for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 8: Posting Only 3 Minute Videos for a Week

All year long, I’ve been conducting a series of TikTok experiments in order to understand what kind of content the powerful TikTok algorithm prioritizes. I’ve tried an SEO trick, CapCut templates, shorter videos, a higher posting frequency, and more. In July, I experimented with longer videos, sharing only 3 minute videos for one week. The result? It worked better than I anticipated! Here’s what I learned from sharing longer videos on TikTok for a week.

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 7: Using an SEO Trick in All My Videos for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 7: Using an SEO Trick in All My Videos for a Week

Throughout 2023, I’ve been experimenting on TikTok with the goal of better understanding their mysterious algorithm. I’m hoping to determine which commonly-promoted tactics are worthwhile and which are overhyped. In June, I experimented with an SEO trick that I’ve seen circulating the platform: hiding keywords in your video so the TikTok algorithm knows what your video is about and who to serve it. The results of this experiment were mixed. Today I’m sharing exactly how to do this SEO trick for TikTok and what I learned from the experiment.

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 6: Posting Only CapCut Templates for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 6: Posting Only CapCut Templates for a Week

This year, I’ve been running a series of TikTok experiments in an effort to learn more about the enigmatic TikTok algorithm. My goal is to assess which tactics help you reach and engage more viewers. I’ve learned a lot from my past experiments! In May, I decided to experiment with sharing only CapCut templates for a week to see how that would impact my content’s performance. If you’re not familiar with CapCut templates, here’s my handy explainer. The results of this experiment surprised me: CapCut templates were even more effective than I anticipated! Here’s what I learned from this experiment.

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 5: Posting Only 15 Second Videos for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 5: Posting Only 15 Second Videos for a Week

I’m on a roll conducting TikTok experiments and recently completed my fifth. I’m hoping to learn a few tips and tricks for what the algorithm prioritizes so that I can share my knowledge with others. Is a higher posting frequency truly necessary? Do shorter videos perform better than longer videos? Those are just a few of the questions I’ve been trying to answer. In my latest experiment, I posted videos that were only 15 seconds or less to see what would happen.

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 4: Posting Only 60 Second Videos for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 4: Posting Only 60 Second Videos for a Week

For a few months now, I’ve been conducting experiments to learn about TikTok’s algorithm. I plan to continue these experiments for as long as I can, despite the looming threat of (another) potential TikTok ban. My goal is to learn how to create content that will be served to just the people you’re hoping will see it. I’m testing several different tactics and sharing my findings.

Lately I’ve seen competing theories about video length. Some folks claim that the algorithm is boosting longer form content and we should all pivot to that; others assert that video completion is the most important metric, so shorter videos work best. I tried posting only 60 second videos for a week to see what would happen.

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 3: Posting Only Slideshows for a Week

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 3: Posting Only Slideshows for a Week

I’ve embarked on a series of experiments to better understand TikTok’s algorithm. TikTok is known for serving users content that feels uniquely tailored to their interests. People feel seen by TikTok. So how do you create content that will get served to exactly the right people? I’m testing all kinds of different tactics to find out!

This winter, theories began swirling that TikTok was boosting their new slideshow feature in the algorithm. I saw tons of slideshow posts every day. I decided to try posting only slideshows for a week to see what would happen. 

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 2: I Posted on TikTok 5x a Day for a Week. Here's What I Learned.

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 2: I Posted on TikTok 5x a Day for a Week. Here's What I Learned.

TikTok’s algorithm continues to amaze users with its uncanny ability to recommend content that feels perfectly tailored to your interests. Everyone’s FYP is a different experience. So how do you get your videos to land on more people’s FYPs? I’ve embarked on a series of experiments to find out!

I often see other social media professionals recommend posting 5-7x per day on TikTok in order to grow your account. That cadence seemed aggressive and unsustainable to me, but I decided to give it a try for one week. You probably have a lot of questions about how it went, so let’s dive in!

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The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 1: I Posted on TikTok 3 Times per Day for 3 Months. Here's What I Learned.

The TikTok Experiments, Vol. 1: I Posted on TikTok 3 Times per Day for 3 Months. Here's What I Learned.

After being an avid consumer of TikTok content for a few years, last December I started feeling the impulse to experiment with creating my own TikToks. I started making a handful here and there, and by January I felt ready to ramp things up. I challenged myself to post three times a day on TikTok for three months.

Many TikTokkers were claiming that posting three times a day would help you grow quickly–some even advocated for five times a day! I knew five wouldn’t be realistic for me, but thought I could manage three, so I dove in. I started on January 23rd and finished the experiment on April 23rd. I had about 140 followers when I started, and thrillingly, had 1,533 by the end. 580 of those followers I gained in the very last week of the experiment! Here’s what I learned along the way.

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