The Truth About the TikTok Algorithm (From Someone Who’s Been Doing TikTok Affiliates for a While)

I’ve been doing TikTok Affiliates for a while now (long enough to see patterns, test strategies, and figure out what actually works versus what people think works. When I first started, I treated TikTok like a lottery: post a video, hope it goes viral, repeat. But over time, I began to realize the algorithm isn’t random at all. In fact, it’s a lot more strategic and forgiving than most creators give it credit for.

If you’ve been posting content and feel like it’s just not hitting, or if you're thinking about giving up on those “flop” videos—this is for you. These are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about how the TikTok algorithm really works, especially as it relates to shop and affiliates

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1. Your Old Content Can Still Go Viral

I used to assume that if a video didn’t perform in the first 24 to 48 hours, it was game over. But over time, I’ve seen old videos—months old—suddenly start picking up traction and bringing in thousands of views out of nowhere. Why? Because I became consistent. The algorithm noticed I was back, engaging with content, and posting regularly—and that triggered a fresh wave of distribution for old content.

If you’re posting again after a break or finally committing to daily content, don’t be surprised if some of your older videos “wake up” and start gaining views again. I’ve seen creators go viral from 6-month-old posts just because they started showing up consistently. So whatever you do, don’t delete your old content.

2. Engagement Is the Hidden Lever No One Talks About

This is something that’s not obvious, but once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

TikTok has this kind of “silent collaboration” feature baked into the algorithm. When you genuinely interact with other creators—commenting, liking, responding to their content—the platform starts cross-linking your content with theirs. Meaning: your videos can show up to their audience, and vice versa.

It’s almost like you’re forming little micro-networks of content just by being a good community member.

So if you’re trying to grow, don’t just post and ghost. Take a few minutes every day to comment on videos from people in your niche...or just engage like a normal viewer with content thats similar and interests you. It really does help.

3. Momentum Is Built into the System

If one of your older videos is still getting views, even just a trickle, the algorithm will test your new uploads with the same audience. This creates a chain reaction where a little bit of traction on one video can fuel momentum on the next one—and the next one after that.

And that's typically what you'll see on most social media. For instance, on youtube if a video does well...you get a boost for your next video and a larger pool of people the algorithm will show it to. And it's similar in a way on tiktok.

This is why I recommend posting in waves rather than just once in a while. If you can upload multiple videos over a few days (even if they’re short), the system has more signals to work with—and more opportunities to link your videos together and test them with the right viewers.

I’ve personally seen the difference: when I post back-to-back for a few days, I get more consistent reach, better conversions, and stronger affiliate sales.

In short: your old content feeds your new content. The more you post, the more fuel you give the algorithm to test and promote your future videos. And if you’re smart about it, this can create viral streaks that seem “lucky” to outsiders—but you’ll know it was by design.

So… What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re doing TikTok Affiliates (or any type of content on TikTok), here’s what I’d encourage based on what I’ve seen work:

• Don’t delete your old videos. They can still take off, even months later.

• Engage with other small creators genuinely and consistently. It’s not just community—it’s reach.

• Post in waves or batches. You’re not just chasing views; you’re feeding the system.

• Be consistent. The more active you are, the more the algorithm will reward both new and old content.

You don’t need to go viral every day. You just need to understand how the machine works—and feed it properly. If you do that, TikTok will do the heavy lifting for you.

At the end of the day, TikTok isn’t just a platform—it’s a system. And systems can be learned. Want jumpstart your TikTok affiliate sales? You can enroll in TikTok Affiliate Jumpstart below.

TikTok Affiliate Jumpstart