How to Change Your Interests on TikTok
TikTok’s algorithm is really powerful - it can know your interests within just a few days, and display content that you will like on your TikTok FyP.
But, if you stop using TikTok for a while, you might want to update interests on the platform.
If you don’t want to see the same content over and over, or want to avoid an addiction cycle on TikTok, then you might need to change your TikTok interests.
However, how do you do it? Controlling the TikTok algorithm at your will is more than possible, which means that you can show or hide videos based on your preferences.
In today’s blog post, we are going to guide you through the following topics:
- How to change your interests on TikTok;
- Things to know before you change interests on TikTok accounts;
- How does TikTok decide your interest and video to show?
How Does the TikTok App Determine Your Interests?
Whenever you open TikTok, interesting content shows up on your TikTok FyP, even if you don’t follow certain accounts or open the Discover tab TikTok feed to look for a particular video.
It appears that TikTok reads your mind, but in fact, there are other key role factors that have a heavy impact on the content that, according to TikTok, you find interesting.
TikTok add interests based on your likes, comments, and new accounts you follow.
But, other than that, your preferred language and watch time also are taken as new data that the app uses to show you new interests on the next video you watch.
So, in such a case that you don’t like, comment, or follow an account on your TikTok profile, they will still know that you are interested in that content if you just watch the video.
How to Use the “Not Interested” Option On TikTok
The “Not Interested” button is a quite simple yet efficient feature that allows you to manage some of your content preferences on the TikTok app.
You can choose to block videos in a particular language (you can also set multiple chosen language options on the Settings Menu), type, trends, and more just by using this button, and this is how you do it:
- Open the TikTok app on your phone and go to your For You Page;
- Wait for a video that you don’t like to pop up;
- Now, when you find such videos, tap the Share icon;
- Here, look for the Not Interested icon, which is a broken heart;
- Tap on it, and repeat it.
The Not Interested option is a great way to determine your interests on TikTok, and the steps mentioned above work on every TikTok version.
Nonetheless, this blocks videos from your For You Page quite slowly, so you have another option that is certainly more efficient and faster.
How to Change Your Interests On TikTok
The Not Interested feature is not always your best alternative, and fortunately, you can change the videos that appear on your For You Page from Settings and Privacy as well.
To do so, you just need to follow five quick steps.
Step 1: Open TikTok and Go to Your TikTok Account Profile
First of all, open the TikTok app on your mobile device as you normally do. Then, at the bottom right corner of the screen, tap on your profile icon.
This will take you directly to your TikTok profile page.
Step 2: Open Settings and Privacy and Scroll Down to “Content Preferences”
Now, look for the Ellipsis Icon at the upper right corner of the screen. This icon is at the top right corner, next to the Edit Profile button, and it shows as three horizontal lines - tap on it.
Here, select Settings and Privacy. Then, on this same screen, scroll down to the Content and Activity section, and tap on Content Preferences.
Step 3: Tap “Filter Video Keywords”
On the Content Preferences menu, tap on the option that says “Filter Video Keywords.” This will take you to another page.
Step 4: Select “Add Keyword”
Here, TikTok will notify you about the changes you are about to make. After reading this disclaimer, tap on the Add Keyword button.
Step 5: Change TikTok Preferences On Following and For You Page
Now, you need to add keywords that you want to filter on your account. For instance, if you don’t want to watch videos about “dogs dancing,” add that keyword, and proceed.
Likewise, you can choose whether these keywords are blocked from your For You Page, or your Following Page.
Then, at the right corner of the screen, you will see the save button. Hit Save option, and your new interests will save on your account.
Wrapping Up: Setting Up Content Preference Settings On TikTok
In conclusion, TikTok does not magically read your mind - they use many different factors to determine whether you will like a video or not.
Nonetheless, sometimes, you might not like what they show you; and, fortunately, you can change it whenever you want. You have two options to do this:
- Use the popular Not Interested icon;
- Or go to Content Preferences and manage your interests at your will.
That’s all you must know for now! Get more relevant TikTok-related content here, at GrowFollowing.
FAQ
What is TikTok Restricted Mode?
TikTok Restricted Mode, according to the TikTok website, is a feature that determines whenever a video shows delicate content so they can automatically hide it from your timeline. The problem with this mode is that you have no control over what appears on your feed - you are letting TikTok decide for you, which is not something that many users like.
Karen is a senior technical writer and copywriter at Hypegrowth. Her area of expertize are social media apps and new media.