As a TikTok user, you may have wondered whether the views on your own videos count towards your overall view count. It’s a common question among content creators who want to understand how TikTok’s view counting system works. In this article, we will dive deep into this topic and reveal the truth behind TikTok’s view counting algorithm.
Understanding TikTok’s View Counting System
To understand whether TikTok counts your own views on your videos, let’s first take a closer look at how TikTok defines a view. Unlike other platforms like Instagram and YouTube, TikTok keeps it simple. A view on TikTok is counted as soon as your video starts playing. It doesn’t matter if the viewer watches the entire video or skips to another one – a view is registered right at the beginning.
Does TikTok Count Your Own Views?
Unfortunately, TikTok does not count your own views on your videos. Even if you watch your video multiple times to check for perfection, your account will still show zero views. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t interact with your own videos in other ways. You can still like, comment, and respond to comments on your own videos to engage with your audience.
What Counts as a View on TikTok?
As mentioned earlier, a view on TikTok is simply your video being watched. As soon as the video starts playing, a view is counted. Whether someone watches the full video or just a few seconds of it, it still contributes to your view count. Unlike other platforms, TikTok doesn’t have a minimum watch time requirement for a view to be counted.
How to Check Your TikTok Views
To see the number of views your TikTok video has received, follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app on your device.
- Tap on your profile icon located at the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Scroll through your videos and find the one you want to check.
- In the lower left corner of the video, you will see a play icon.
- The number displayed next to the play icon represents the total views your video has received.
It’s important to note that if you have a private profile, only your followers will be able to view your videos, which may result in lower view counts. Additionally, if you set a specific video to “Friends Only,” only your mutual followers will be able to see it, further limiting the number of views.
Do Views Count If You Don’t Have a TikTok Account?
If you are not logged into your TikTok account or you don’t have an account at all, your view will not be counted. To increase someone’s views, you need to be logged in and have an account. Simply watching a video without being logged in or having an account will not contribute to the view count.
TikTok Views on Other Platforms
If you come across a TikTok video on other platforms like Snapchat, Twitter, or YouTube, watching it there will not increase the view count on TikTok. TikTok views are only counted when the video is watched through the TikTok app or website. However, if you watch a TikTok video shared via an Instagram DM, it will count towards the view count since Instagram opens the TikTok app when you click on the link.
The Impact of Repeat Views on TikTok
Repeat views play a significant role in increasing the view count on TikTok. If someone enjoys your video and decides to watch it multiple times, each replay will count as an additional view. This means that the more engaging and shareable your content is, the higher the chances of getting repeat views.
Even accidental repeat views contribute to the view count. If someone leaves their device unlocked and your video keeps playing, each time it restarts, another view is counted. This is why some creators recommend making shorter TikToks, as they are easier to watch multiple times compared to longer videos.
Rewatching a Video on TikTok
Every time you rewatch a video on TikTok, it counts as an additional view. Let’s say you found a great recipe video and keep going back to it whenever you crave that meal again. Each time you revisit the video, it adds another view to the count. The time interval between each rewatch doesn’t matter – even if it’s a year later, it will still count as a new view.
Creators may notice older posts getting additional views when someone rewatched them. However, TikTok doesn’t provide data on who is watching the video, only that it has been viewed again. Therefore, your total view count represents the number of times your video has been watched, not the number of individual viewers.
Duration of Watching a TikTok Video
With the recent introduction of the ten-minute feature on TikTok, you might be concerned that longer videos will receive fewer views due to their length. However, TikTok counts a view as soon as the video starts playing. Whether your video is a few seconds or ten minutes long, a view is registered right from the beginning. You don’t have to worry about viewers watching the entire video for it to count as a view.
Conclusion
Understanding how TikTok counts views on your videos is crucial for creators who want to gauge the popularity and reach of their content. While TikTok doesn’t count your own views on your videos, you can still engage with your content through likes, comments, and responses. Remember that a view is counted as soon as the video starts playing, regardless of its length or whether it is watched in full. Repeat views and rewatching a video both contribute to the overall view count. So keep creating engaging TikToks, and watch your view count grow!
