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Comment by okwubodu | Hacker News Reader

That TikTok algorithm is something else. I thought classmates were exaggerating about how much it sucked them in until I checked my Screen Time after a week of using the app.

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I feel weird because I tried to like TikTok but I ended up hating it with a passion. No matter how many times I skipped/disliked a given video type, they still kept showing up. TikTok is clearly not targeted to me because just writing about my experience here is once again upsetting me.

I had the opposite experience. Within an hour of using the app it had already profiled that I'm interested in woodworking, military, comedy, and anything with a solid story. I very rarely dislike a video unless I don't want to see that specific creator anymore. It profiles me based on likes (not something I do a lot), subscribes (once a creator has shown up 2-3 times with solid content I usually subscribe), and view duration. I am very quick to swipe to the next video if it's some dancing or other thing I'm not interested in.

Reels on the other hand, all it shows me is twerking and people getting hurt. Complete turn off compared to how well TikTok tuned in to my preferences.

I would recommend doing the opposite: interact more with the things you do like. “Like” generously, watch videos all the way through a few times, hit share, comment etc. I think those are the biggest signals that inform the algorithm.

I also have trouble getting a non-cringy feed

Reminds me to give it another shot right now

For the videos you really don't like you can indicate you dislike the category

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