ELI5: Why is TikTok changing its algorithm

TikTok is changing its algorithm to show you videos you'll really like, even if they're not super popular right now.

Imagine TikTok is like a giant toy store, and you're a kid looking for something fun to play with. The algorithm is like a helper who tries to guess what toys you'd enjoy.

• Before, the helper mostly showed you the toys everyone was playing with, like the most popular video game or the trendy doll. This meant you saw the same toys over and over, and you might miss out on other cool things. If everyone is playing with the same toy, then you might think that is the only toy to play with.

• Now, the helper is trying to understand you better. They'll still show you some popular toys, but they'll also pay attention to:

So, if you really like building blocks and space movies, the helper might show you videos of someone building a spaceship out of blocks, even if only a few people have seen it yet. This way, you get to discover new and exciting things that are perfect for you*, and smaller creators get a chance to show off their cool stuff, too. It's like the helper is trying to make sure everyone in the toy store finds something they love, not just playing with the same popular thing all the time. By doing this, TikTok hopes you'll stay in the toy store longer and have more fun.