The Algorithm Project:
Decoding TikTok
The Algorithm Project:
Decoding TikTok
The Algorithm Project:
Decoding TikTok
The Algorithm Project: Decoding TikTok
A 4-month experiment to prove that virality isn’t luck. It is a formula built on pacing, rhetoric, and human psychology.
A 4-month experiment to prove that virality isn’t luck. It is a formula built on pacing, rhetoric, and human psychology.
A 4-month experiment to prove that virality isn’t luck. It is a formula built on pacing, rhetoric, and human psychology.
The Hypothesis
The Hypothesis
The Hypothesis
Is it possible to systematically trigger organic mass reach on TikTok without relying on cheap algorithm hacks? Starting a brand-new account from zero followers, my goal was to prove a theory: if you deeply understand viewer psychology and authentic storytelling, you can make almost any everyday topic travel organically and build an audience from a completely blank slate.
Is it possible to systematically trigger organic mass reach on TikTok without relying on cheap algorithm hacks? Starting a brand-new account from zero followers, my goal was to prove a theory: if you deeply understand viewer psychology and authentic storytelling, you can make almost any everyday topic travel organically and build an audience from a completely blank slate.
Is it possible to systematically trigger organic mass reach on TikTok without relying on cheap algorithm hacks? Starting a brand-new account from zero followers, my goal was to prove a theory: if you deeply understand viewer psychology and authentic storytelling, you can make almost any everyday topic travel organically and build an audience from a completely blank slate.
The The Rules of the Game
The The Rules of the Game
The The Rules of the Game
Over a 4-month period, this account became my personal testing ground. I focused heavily on optimizing hooks and viewer retention, but I set strict creative boundaries: no manipulative editing (like cutting mid-sentence to force a fake, seamless loop). The challenge was to keep viewers engaged naturally through sharp pacing and relatable rhetoric.
Over a 4-month period, this account became my personal testing ground. I focused heavily on optimizing hooks and viewer retention, but I set strict creative boundaries: no manipulative editing (like cutting mid-sentence to force a fake, seamless loop). The challenge was to keep viewers engaged naturally through sharp pacing and relatable rhetoric.
Over a 4-month period, this account became my personal testing ground. I focused heavily on optimizing hooks and viewer retention, but I set strict creative boundaries: no manipulative editing (like cutting mid-sentence to force a fake, seamless loop). The challenge was to keep viewers engaged naturally through sharp pacing and relatable rhetoric.
The Hard Data and Result
The Hard Data and Result
The Hard Data and Result
The experiment proved that genuine storytelling scales once the code is cracked. After an initial three week calibration phase of trial and error, I successfully isolated the winning variables. Once this formula was locked in, the results became consistent and replicable with every upload.
Across roughly 70 videos, the account generated 2.1 million organic views, 90,000 likes, and 10,000 shares. About 96.8% of all traffic came directly from the "For You" page, demonstrating a consistent ability to capture and retain completely cold audiences.
The experiment proved that genuine storytelling scales once the code is cracked. After an initial three week calibration phase of trial and error, I successfully isolated the winning variables. Once this formula was locked in, the results became consistent and replicable with every upload.
Across roughly 70 videos, the account generated 2.1 million organic views, 90,000 likes, and 10,000 shares. About 96.8% of all traffic came directly from the "For You" page, demonstrating a consistent ability to capture and retain completely cold audiences.
The experiment proved that genuine storytelling scales once the code is cracked. After an initial three week calibration phase of trial and error, I successfully isolated the winning variables. Once this formula was locked in, the results became consistent and replicable with every upload.
Across roughly 70 videos, the account generated 2.1 million organic views, 90,000 likes, and 10,000 shares. About 96.8% of all traffic came directly from the "For You" page, demonstrating a consistent ability to capture and retain completely cold audiences.
2.1 million organic views
2.1 million organic views
2.1 million organic views
90 000 likes
90 000 likes
90 000 likes
10 000 shares
10 000 shares
10 000 shares
70 videos
70 videos
70 videos
Short-form videos (<10s)
Short-form videos (<10s)
Short-form videos (<10s)
The shorter formats had on average a retention rate of around 80%, with the best clips exceeding 100%. A tightly packed narrative naturally drove viewers to rewatch the content, completely without the need for forced editing tricks.
Long-form videos (15–40s)
Long-form videos (15–40s)
Long-form videos (15–40s)
These videos consistently maintained a 65–75% retention rate, peaking at 80%. The data proves that precise pacing, word choice, and editing are all it takes to keep an audience deeply engaged.
Sidenote: With the mass-reach formula proven, I recently archived all the content to make room for a new project. In this project I will be testing the limits of abstract aesthetics and cognitive dissonance. The focus has now shifted from broad viral reach to hyper-niche community building.
Sidenote: With the mass-reach formula proven, I recently archived all the content to make room for a new project. In this project I will be testing the limits of abstract aesthetics and cognitive dissonance. The focus has now shifted from broad viral reach to hyper-niche community building.
Sidenote: With the mass-reach formula proven, I recently archived all the content to make room for a new project. In this project I will be testing the limits of abstract aesthetics and cognitive dissonance. The focus has now shifted from broad viral reach to hyper-niche community building.