The thing that makes TikTok special is its algorithm, tailor-made for each user’s interests. And now, it’s becoming more bespoke than ever, as the app is allowing users to signal more precisely what they want on the “For You” Page (FYP) with “topics.”
As first reported by The Verge, users can now tell the app what kinds of topics they’re interested in. These topics include “creative arts,” “current affairs,” “humor,” and, most unsurprisingly, “dance.”
How do TikTok topics work?
All of these TikTok topics have their own “slider,” which is meant to indicate how much or how little users want to see it on their FYP. The further you toggle the slider, the more that topic will show up on your FYP.
To access these sliders, users need to go to their profile to find the ‘Settings and Privacy’ tab on the app. Then, users can navigate to ‘Content preferences’ and ‘Manage topics.’ It’s currently unclear how effective these sliders will be, but presumably, it will make users’ FYP more personalized.
This update comes as the app prepares for a make-or-break legal battle with the US government. Previously, there were rumors that ByteDance was preparing to sell TikTok without its infamous algorithm. But with these new updates from the app, it’s clear it’s not going down without a fight.
Further reading:
- TikTok Group Chats Are Here — And It’s About Time, Too
- TikTok Spotlight Tool Offers Movie Marketing Magic
- How To Make A Sound on TikTok: A Guide To Working The System
- TikTok Shuts Down Its Lite Rewards Program in the EU
- Want more coverage of the creator ecosystem? Sign up for Passionfruit’s newsletter!
