Hello, community! Many affiliates absolutely love TikTok — and not because of the content. Actually, that’s the least of it. The main reason TikTok is so popular in the affiliate world is because of the insane potential to drive massive volumes of free organic traffic. But to do that, you need to land in the TOP. So how does that happen? Let’s figure it out.
Before we dive in, here’s a reminder: we’ve already published a full guide on what free organic traffic (UОT) is and how it differs from paid traffic. Worth a read!
Where Do the Numbers Come From?
We’ll be referencing a lot of data today, so let’s clarify the source right away. This overview is based on a study by Metricool.
They analyzed nearly 90,000 accounts and over a million videos to not only summarize last year’s trends but also predict what will drive views in 2025.
With that out of the way, let’s jump into what really matters.
What Do We Know About TikTok Algorithms?
Let’s start with the core question: do we *really* know how TikTok’s feed algorithm works? Of course not. Just like with Google or YouTube, the mechanics are hidden to prevent users (like us) from gaming the system.
However, there are clear patterns that help us increase our chances of making it to the TOP feed.
First, it’s easiest to get those *initial views*. To get there, stick with basic “best practices”: trending hashtags, popular music, relevant content. But once your video starts gaining traction, it gets harder. That’s when TikTok evaluates more complex factors — like retention, engagement, and overall viewer behavior. If your video nails those, it gets pushed to the top.
Also, don’t forget: warmed-up accounts with real followers perform better.
And here’s a question to consider: have you noticed how many *almost identical* videos hit the top on TikTok? That’s not a coincidence. Metricool’s research basically gives us the blueprint for a perfect viral video. Let’s explore it.
What Did Metricool Find?
Let’s begin with length. No jokes about size — those are reserved for our Telegram community. There’s long been debate over the ideal video duration: ultra-short 15-second clips or longer formats? Metricool says the sweet spot is 2–5 minutes. Videos lasting 1–2 minutes come second, and 5–10 minute ones follow. See the chart below for details:
Metricool also explored how duration correlates with follower count. For example, on channels with over 50,000 followers, 2–5 minute videos hit 170k+ views. In contrast, videos under 30 seconds rarely cross the 100k threshold.
So much for the gurus who swear by 15-second posts, right?
The study also challenges assumptions about upload frequency. See below:
They found a link between channel size and posting frequency. Metricool recommends that large accounts (50k+ followers) upload 7+ videos per week, while smaller creators can see success with just 2–3 posts weekly.
As for *where* views come from, the “For You” page (TikTok’s personalized recommendations) dominates. No contest.
It’s not even close — users are 7x more likely to view your content through recommendations than via following or search. “For You” drives 63%–78% of views. In contrast, subscriptions bring in just 1.3%–10%, and search accounts for ~5%.
That said, *search* delivers a steady baseline of views regardless of your follower count — so optimizing for search is smart, especially for newer accounts trying to build momentum.
One more critical factor: **timing**. When should you post to get the most views? Of course, timing varies by GEO. But according to Metricool, peak viewership happens for videos posted:
- Between 2 AM and 5 AM on Mondays,
- and at 3 AM on Saturdays.
Of course, you can still get solid results outside these windows — but those are the peaks.
Conclusion
Metricool identified a ton of patterns that help maximize your TikTok reach. Even if you don’t hit full virality, you’ll definitely generate far more free traffic than if you simply relied on guesswork.
And we’ve barely scratched the surface here. To dig into the full study (which we generously translated using the most random translator we could find — because hey, time is money), check it out below:
And remember — if you want to discuss the latest in affiliate marketing, you’re always welcome in our Telegram community. Even rookies become traffic pros there.
Respectfully yours, as always — Geek!