Do you want to go viral on TikTok? Show right away why your video is worth watching. Choose one topic, show the result early and cut unnecessary pauses. Then try different openings and compare how your videos perform. This is how you discover what resonates with your viewers. There is no guarantee that a video will go viral.
Below you will find twelve tips for your next video and a calculation example to help you compare the results.
What does going viral on TikTok mean?
Going viral usually means that a video spreads quickly and gets much more attention than usual. There is no fixed number of views that means viral for every account.
So think about what you want to achieve with your video. Do you want people to share your funny observation, watch your drawing lesson or come back for the next part? With a clear goal, you can make better choices about what to film and which results to review later.
Do you mainly want your videos to be viewed more often? Then also read about getting more views on TikTok.
How does TikTok choose videos for the For You feed?
TikTok chooses which videos to recommend to each viewer. According to TikTok’s explanation of recommendations watching, liking, sharing, commenting and following all influence this.
You cannot turn that into a fixed formula. For example, you cannot calculate how many likes you need for a certain number of views. Instead, look at your video: is it immediately clear what you are showing, and does it remain interesting afterwards?
Do you want to know how much reach you have among your own followers? Then read why TikTok does not show your videos to your followers.
12 tips to improve your TikTok videos
1. Think about who you are making the video for
You can film all kinds of things for “everyone who likes food”. “Someone who wants to cook quickly after exercising” makes your choice easier. You then know which question you are answering and how much explanation is needed.
For example, show how to make a quick meal with leftover rice. Keep it focused on that dish instead of also adding an entire weekly menu.
Are you making videos for a shop? Then choose one customer question. In 2026, TikTok announced TikTok Shop for Belgium and the Netherlands You could, for example, show how many items fit in a small bag. That provides more explanation than just showing the bag.
2. Show the result immediately
Watch the first frame without sound. Is it immediately clear what the video is about? For a repair, you can first show the broken item and the repaired result. Then explain how you did it.
One possible opening is: “This loose cabinet knob is secure again without a new screw.” This tells your viewer more than a long greeting. In the video, make sure you show exactly what you promise in the opening.
3. Stick to one main topic
Before filming, write down one sentence: “After this video, you will know how to …” Can’t you finish that sentence easily? Then you may be trying to fit too much into one video.
For example, a video about your room could focus only on organising a messy drawer. Save the lighting and wardrobe for other videos.
4. Cut waiting time, but keep the explanation
Remove a long introduction, repeated sentences and searching for items from your recording. Do leave in everything someone needs to follow the explanation.
Shorter is not always better. Are you showing how to tie a knot? Then the viewer must be able to see clearly where the rope goes. For each section, ask yourself whether the viewer sees or learns something new.
5. Make sure your image and sound are clear
For example, film near a window and place your phone securely. First make a short test recording. Check whether your voice can be heard clearly, even if a fan is running or there is traffic outside.
Add subtitles where necessary and check the text yourself. Also watch your video without sound. Can you still follow the main action?
6. Clearly explain what your video is about
A short on screen text helps your viewer understand what you are showing. “Repotting a plant without making a mess” says more than “You need to see this”.
Also use words in your description and hashtags that fit your video. Do not add popular topics that have nothing to do with it. Text helps your viewer, but it is not a secret formula for more reach.
7. Add something of your own to a trend
Use a trend if you have a suitable idea for it. Think about what you can add that the viewer did not already see in the previous video.
For a trend about expectation and reality, you could show your first attempt at making pasta yourself. Use your own footage and explain what you notice yourself. Do not copy another creator’s text, joke and entire structure.
8. Make something someone wants to share
Think about what a viewer would send to a particular friend. It could be a recognisable habit, but also a useful explanation or a surprising result.
For example, show how to fold a fitted sheet. Clearly show that difficult corner in particular. The explanation must be useful. Simply saying “share this” does not make your video more useful.
9. Ask a question you want answered
Choose a question that fits your video and is easy to answer. Are you showing two ways to arrange a balcony? Then ask, for example: “Would you rather put a table or more plants here?”
Respond to the answers you receive. This creates a conversation that may also give you ideas for new videos. This does not guarantee wider distribution.
10. Answer a question in a follow up video
Is someone asking how you handle a difficult part? Make a separate video about it. You do not need to repeat the entire previous explanation. Do explain enough for a new viewer to understand what you are doing.
After a video about fixing a bicycle tyre, for example, you could show how to find a very small puncture. This means your follow up answers a new question.
11. Choose a rhythm that fits your schedule
For example, you can start with two videos per week if you have time for that. This is a scheduling choice, not a TikTok rule. You could also film several videos during one quiet moment.
There is no best posting time for all accounts in the Netherlands and Belgium. Do you want to find out which time works for you? Choose two times when posting is convenient. Post several comparable videos at both times before drawing conclusions. One video that gets many more views is not enough to tell you.
12. Change one thing at a time
For example, test the opening. Start one video with the end result and a comparable video with a question. Keep the topic, length and filming method as similar as possible.
This lets you compare the videos more effectively, but it is not conclusive evidence. They do not reach exactly the same people. Repeat the test before deciding which opening works better.
How to compare the results of your TikTok videos
Write down what you changed for each test. Always review the results after the same amount of time, for example after three days. Decide in advance what you will focus on. If you want people to keep watching, review watch time. If you want them to share your video, review the number of shares. Use these figures only if you can see them.
This fictional example shows why you should not look only at isolated numbers:
| Measurement | Video A | Video B |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Question first | Result first |
| Views | 400 | 600 |
| Number of shares | 8 | 18 |
| Shares per 100 views | 2 | 3 |
To compare more fairly, calculate how often each video was shared per 100 views. Divide the number of shares by the number of views and multiply the result by 100:
- Video A: 8 ÷ 400 × 100 = 2 shares per 100 views.
- Video B: 18 ÷ 600 × 100 = 3 shares per 100 views.
Video B therefore has more shares per 100 views. This does not mean that 3 percent of the different viewers shared the video. Views and shares count how often something happens, not how many different people do it.
As your next test, make another comparable video that starts with the result. Do you see the same difference more often? Then you have a better reason to keep using that opening.
Can’t you see a figure? Then compare the data you do have and write down what is missing. Can’t you play the videos yourself? Then first read the explanation about TikTok not loading. Not being able to play a video is different from having little reach.
Why can’t going viral on TikTok be guaranteed?
No one can know for certain in advance whether your next video will go viral. Advice that promises a fixed number of views by using one sound, hashtag or posting time therefore gives you no reliable guarantee.
More followers also do not automatically mean more attention for your videos. Are you considering buy TikTok followers? A higher number does not prove that more people watch or appreciate your videos. Bought followers do not guarantee organic reach, genuine reactions or customers. To compare quantities and prices, explore our TikTok services, including packages for views and followers.
For your next recording, choose one topic and think of two openings. Film the version that shows most clearly what your video is about. Note what you tried and review the result after the chosen period. Use that to choose your next test.
