ELI5: how does TikTok algorithm work

TikTok's algorithm is like a super-smart friend who learns what you like to watch on TV and then only shows you those kinds of shows.

Imagine you have a TV that only shows short videos. This TV is TikTok. The algorithm is the person who decides what videos to show you next. Here's how they do it:

• First, it's like throwing a bunch of different toys at you to see what you grab. When you first join TikTok, the algorithm shows you a variety of videos - funny cats, cooking recipes, dance challenges, sports highlights - just to see what catches your eye.

• Then, it watches what you do with each toy. If you watch a cat video all the way through, that's like saying "I like cats!". If you scroll past a cooking video quickly, it's like saying "I don't care about cooking." The algorithm pays attention to:

• Finally, it gives you more of the toys you liked before. Based on what you've watched and interacted with, the algorithm starts showing you more videos similar to the ones you liked. So, if you watched a lot of cat videos, you'll start seeing even more cat videos! It's like your friend remembering you love cats and always showing you cat pictures.