Does the Douyin/TikTok algorithm tend to create viral hits, or does it also foster a healthy long-tail content ecosystem?

Regarding the TikTok algorithm, this is a particularly fascinating topic. Many people view it as just a "hit-making machine," but the reality is far more complex.

My perspective is: This is a classic case of "both...and..." — and TikTok's genius lies precisely in excelling at both aspects. It aggressively spawns viral hits while meticulously nurturing a vast long-tail content ecosystem.

We can break this down into two parts:

1. Creating Viral Hits: The Platform’s "Public Facade" and "Megaphone"

This is what users experience most directly. You’ve likely seen it: a specific BGM, dance challenge, or meme suddenly floods your feed, as if the whole world is participating. This is the algorithm’s "hit-making" in action.

Think of its workflow as a "traffic sampling" experiment:

Initial Traffic Pool: When you post a video, the system first shows it to a small test group (e.g., a few hundred users). Like offering free samples of a new product in a supermarket.
Data Feedback: The algorithm closely monitors "tasting" results. Do people enjoy it (high completion rate)? Are they liking, commenting, or sharing? Did viewers follow you after watching?
Snowball Effect: Strong engagement signals the algorithm: "This resonates!" It then pushes the content to a larger pool (thousands, then millions). Sustained performance escalates exposure further.
Becoming a Hit: Through repeated filtering and amplification, an ordinary video can explode into a viral phenomenon.

Why does the platform do this?
Hits drive trends, conversations, and user acquisition. A viral challenge makes even non-users wonder, "What is this?" and download the app. Thus, viral hits serve as TikTok’s "public facade" and "marketing engine."

2. Cultivating the Long Tail: The Platform’s "Core" and "Glue"

This is the algorithm’s subtler, more sophisticated side.

The "long tail" refers to less popular content with deeply engaged niche audiences. Examples:

An artisan restoring an antique clock.
A historian analyzing obscure ancient clothing.
A programmer coding an animated cat.
A grandma teaching traditional pickling methods.

These may never go viral, but they form the bedrock of content diversity. TikTok’s algorithm excels at precisely matching these "niche passions" with the right viewers.

How does it work?
Like an tireless, intuitive concierge, it obsessively tracks your micro-interactions:

You lingered 3 extra seconds on a "mortise-and-tenon joinery" video.
You finished that "carpet deep-cleaning" tutorial.
You liked a "succulent care guide."
You searched for "how to pour-over coffee."

Through these cues, the algorithm tags you with highly granular "interest labels." Your For You Page (FYP) becomes a personalized stream, continuously surfacing niche content you love — even if you follow no one.

Why does the platform do this?
Retention. Hits lure users in, but precision-targeted long-tail content creates addiction. It makes users feel "This app gets me," helping them find communities and belonging. This dramatically boosts user time and loyalty.

Conclusion: How Do Both Work Together?

TikTok’s strategy can be summarized as:

It builds a massive, thriving "long-tail ecosystem" as its foundation — supplying the algorithm with vast, diverse "raw material." Like a hyper-efficient talent scout, the algorithm then mines this ocean of content, identifies promising candidates, and propels them toward virality using its "traffic pool" mechanism.

This creates a self-reinforcing loop:

For the platform, hits attract new users while long-tail content retains existing ones.
For creators, niche content finds its audience (long tail), while viral potential (head) fuels ongoing creation.
For users, they discover trending topics and indulge deeply in tailored niches.

Thus, the ultimate answer is: TikTok’s algorithm isn’t an either-or choice but a masterful dual strategy. It captivates you with the depth of the long tail and breaks barriers with the power of hits — each indispensable to the other.