The “People You May Know” suggestions frequently appearing on TikTok stand out as a reflection of the platform’s complex algorithms. These recommendations are not random; rather, they are generated by taking into account your interactions, preferences, and social network connections, as well as those of other users.
Basic Working Principles of TikTok’s Algorithm
Common Connections
- Followers: Mutual accounts that both you and the recommended user follow indicate shared interests.
- Followed Accounts: Similarly, if the people you follow also follow the recommended user, this helps establish a connection.
- Facebook Friends: If you’ve linked your TikTok account to Facebook, mutual friends may also be suggested to you.
Activities and Interactions
- Likes: The videos you like, along with comments and other interactions, reveal your interests and preferences. The algorithm recommends users with similar interests to expand your discoveries.
- Comments: Your comments reflect both your engagement with content and your communication style. This information is used to suggest like-minded users.
- Shares: The videos you share highlight topics and values important to you. The algorithm may recommend users who create or share similar content.
Device and Account Settings
- Phone Contacts: If you’ve synced your phone contacts with TikTok, some of these contacts may be suggested to you.
- Country and Language Settings: Your location and preferred language help provide more relevant recommendations.
Personal Information
- Username: Keywords in your username can offer hints about your interests.
- Bio: The information in your profile bio more clearly reflects your hobbies and interests.
Areas Targeted by TikTok’s Recommendations
- Meeting New People: The algorithm suggests users with similar interests, potentially helping you form new connections.
- Content Discovery: It helps you explore new content and accounts that may interest you.
- Community Building: It assists in bringing together users with shared interests, fostering smaller, more niche communities.
Ways to Adjust TikTok Recommendations
- Following and Unfollowing: Following accounts you like helps the algorithm better understand your preferences, while unfollowing serves as feedback for refining suggestions.
- Increasing Engagement: Liking, commenting, and sharing videos helps the algorithm learn more about you.
- Checking Privacy Settings: Adjusting your privacy settings can limit who can see you and whether you appear in others’ recommendations.
In summary, TikTok’s “People You May Know” feature is generated by a complex, constantly updated algorithm. These recommendations consider your interactions, preferences, and social connections to provide a more personalized experience.