TikTok has taken over the world with its short and engaging videos, which the platform doesn’t seem to run out of. With hundreds of thousands of creators, multiple videos are added daily, but only a handful become viral. Why is it so?
One of the reasons is TikTok’s algorithm and the way it works, particularly how the platform counts video views which is quite different from other social media.
For YouTubers, a video counts as a view if viewers watch for at least 30 seconds. But how does it work on TikTok? Keep reading to find out the details.
What Is a “View” on TikTok?
The moment someone opens your video, TikTok instantly counts it as a view—even if they skip it after just a second. Hence, gaining views is quite simple compared to other social media platforms where content creators have to be extra creative.
Moreover, if your follower watches a TikTok video on the loop, each next loop is counted as a new view, skyrocketing your view count. That’s why many content creators join TikTok due to its low barrier of entry for what is counted as views.
How Does TikTok Count Views?
Growing your TikTok account is quite simple since the platform counts views from every user who lands on your video. What is especially beneficial is if your video is one auto-play, every time a person rewatched it, you gain a new view.
Unlike YouTube, where a viewer has to stay for at least 30 seconds, TikTok needs a viewer to spend 1 second on your video to count the action as a view. However, if your TikTok video is 3 or more minutes longer, users must watch at least the first 3 seconds of it.
Even when users return to watch your video sometime later from the same IP address, TikTok considers it a new visualization.
Does TikTok Count Your Own Views?
While there are barely any requirements for what counts as a view, when you watch your own videos, TikTok does not consider you a unique user. Hence, no matter how many times you rewatch your creations, it won’t help you increase your view count.
How to See the View Count on Your TikToks?
When it comes to TikTok, the way views are displayed depends on your account type—private or business. View counts for videos are handled slightly differently for users with private accounts than for those with business or pro accounts.
Here’s how to check your view count if you’re on a private TikTok account:
- Open the TikTok app on your phone.
- Then, tap on the profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will take you directly to your profile page, where all of your posted videos are displayed.
- From there, you can check each video’s thumbnail to see how many views each video has garnered.
However, there is a catch for private accounts. Once a video reaches 1,000 views, TikTok only displays rounded figures for the view count. So, instead of showing the exact number of views (for example, 1,045 or 2,567), it will simply round it off to the nearest thousand (e.g., 1K or 3K).
This rounding mechanism means that private account holders don’t have access to precise view counts after the 1,000-view mark.
There is a simple solution to this issue: switch to a business account. As a result, you will have a deeper insight into video performance, including exact view counts, audience demographics, and more.
However, if you are not planning to grow your TikTok presence or monetize your content, there is no need to do that.
Switching to a business is quick and straightforward:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Go to your profile by clicking on your tab at the bottom right of the screen.
- There, click on the three dots in the top right corner to access the settings menu.
- Select “Manage Account” and choose the option to switch to a business (or creator) account.
How Does TikTok Count Views on Ads?
TikTok is a great place to promote your brand, and knowing how views are counted is no less important. You will have access to the “View Rate,” where the platform will provide you with insights.
While TikTok measures every time when somebody watches your video as a view, the process is slightly different for ads. The platform shows the metrics that help you see if people are skipping or ignoring your TikTok ads.
It’s calculated by dividing the total number of ad views by the total number of ad impressions. This way, you can measure how well your ad campaign is performing without worrying about people who quickly swipe past, accidental views, or bots.
Wrapping Up
Being a content creator on TikTok is much easier than on any other social media platform, thanks to the low barrier to getting views. If you want to promote yourself as an influencer or advertise your brand, getting exposure is quite easy, even as a beginning content creator.
Boosting your TikTok profile can be quite simple, and even your friends and family can help you reach your first 100 views within days! But if you are looking for consistent and organic growth, we encourage you to check out Bulkoid services and explore how our services can help you get closer to fame.
FAQs About TikTok Views
What counts as a TikTok view?
It’s very easy to receive exposure on TikTok, especially if you are an aspiring content creator, because the platform counts a view whenever someone starts playing your video. And unlike YouTube or other social media platforms, TikTok requires viewers to watch only a second of your video to count it as a view.
Do your own views count on TikTok?
Unfortunately, TikTok does not consider the owner of the video a unique user. That’s why you shouldn’t spend hours replaying your videos to make your content go viral.
Does TikTok count repeated views?
Yes, for TikTok, it doesn’t matter how long users stay on your video. Moreover, if a viewer watches your video on a loop, the system counts each play as a new view.
Do TikTok views include bots or accidental views?
TikTok aims to minimize bot and accidental views. However, views are counted immediately after the video starts playing, even if someone skips quickly. TikTok uses advanced tools to identify fake engagements, but some accidental views may still be counted.
