How to get more followers on TikTok: 9 underrated tips the algorithm favors

If you’ve ever Googled “how to get more followers on TikTok,” you already know how overwhelming the advice can be. From trendy sound clips to endless hashtag hacks, it’s hard to know what works—especially when the TikTok algorithm keeps evolving.

For TikTok users—whether you’re an independent creator or a growing brand—the path to follower growth isn’t about chasing virality. It’s about understanding what makes people follow, not just watch. This guide breaks down nine underrated strategies that align with how the platform works—especially if you’re trying to figure out how to get more followers on TikTok for free.

We’ll keep it real, tactical, and actionable tips—for creators, marketers, and anyone looking to grow their TikTok presence in a sustainable way.

🧠 Start with strategy, not shortcuts 

Getting more followers isn't about luck or copying others. It’s about mastering repeatable actions that keep your audience engaged—and using smart tools like Birdeye Social media management to help you scale.

Why it’s important to grow your follower base on TikTok

Whether you’re an individual creator or a brand building your online presence, growing your TikTok followers does more than boost vanity metrics. It impacts your discoverability, credibility, and long-term success on the platform.

Here’s why building a strong follower base matters in 2025:

• The TikTok algorithm rewards retention. The more followers you have consistently engaging with your videos, the more likely your future content will get pushed to For You feeds.
• Stronger follower count = better first impressions. New visitors often judge your TikTok account based on how many people already follow you—and how active your TikTok presence looks.
• It unlocks features for monetization and visibility. Features like Creator Fund access, live videos, or brand partnerships often require a minimum follower count.
• Followers give you free reach. Unlike ads, real followers boost your content organically. If you’re wondering how to get more followers on TikTok for free, growing your base slowly and strategically is your best bet.
• Brands look for influence, not just content. A solid follower base attracts brands and other TikTok creators for potential collaborations or UGC reposts.

If you’re serious about using TikTok for growth—personal or business—your follower count is more than just a number. It’s a gateway to visibility, trust, and traction.

Key strategies to get more followers on TikTok in 2025

Now that you know why follower growth matters, let’s walk through the TikTok strategies that work best in 2025. These nine tips focus on sustainable follower growth, so you can build a lasting TikTok presence, no matter your niche:

1. Hook TikTok users early by creating follow-worthy content  

2. Build a TikTok strategy tailored to your niche and audience  

3. Create content formats the TikTok algorithm currently loves  

4. Post consistently and develop a smart TikTok content rhythm  

5. Use relevant hashtags and trending challenges to expand reach  

6. Collaborate with other creators to tap into new TikTok audiences  

7. Keep your audience engaged through interactive video content  

8. Avoid common mistakes that silently slow follower growth  

9. Cross-promote your TikTok content on other social media platforms

Let's discuss each of these in detail. 

1. Hook TikTok users early by creating follow-worthy content

The TikTok algorithm doesn’t reward random reach—it rewards retention. If you’re only chasing views, you’re missing the point. Real growth comes from creating TikTok videos that feel personal, relatable, and engaging content enough to make people think, “I want to see more from this account.”

Start by shifting your focus from viral moments to repeatable value. Your goal? Become someone worth following, not just watching.

Here’s how to create high-quality content that earns loyalty:

• Deliver value fast. Open with a strong TikTok caption that will hook the viewer in the first 2 seconds.
• Stick to a niche. Teach, entertain, or inspire in a way that aligns with your identity or brand.
• Stay on a theme. Build consistency so your content feels familiar—even when the format changes.

For example, a fitness creator who posts a few videos breaking down one move per day is more followable than someone posting random gym clips. 

The same applies to a dental practice sharing short-form video content that busts oral health myths in 15 seconds—often turning their most popular videos into a consistent format.

Now that you’re building content people want to follow, it’s time to align it with your niche and the right audience.

2. Build a TikTok strategy tailored to your niche and audience

A scattered approach won’t grow your follower count—it’ll confuse your viewers and the algorithm. Whether building a personal brand or managing content for a business, you need a clear, consistent TikTok strategy tied to your audience’s interests.

Start by identifying your target audience:

• Are they Gen Z students looking for humor or aesthetics?
• Millennial parents searching for quick tips?
• Business owners searching for value-led advice.

Once you’ve defined your target audience, shape your TikTok content around what that group wants to see more of. Keep it thematic—don’t jump between trends that don’t align with your niche.

For example, TikTok creators in the food niche often gain traction by doing recipe series or local restaurant reviews—because their viewers know exactly what to expect. Similarly, a skincare brand may focus on debunking product myths or sharing before/after.

If your audience knows what you’re about and why you’re different, they’re far more likely to follow—and stick around. Here’s an example of that:

Once your strategy is aligned with your audience, it’s time to choose content formats that perform best on TikTok.

3. Create content formats the TikTok algorithm currently loves

If you want more TikTok followers, you must create content the algorithm loves to push. And in 2025, that means leaning into formats that drive watch time, engagement, and shares—not just one-off views.

Here are a few formats gaining traction with both creators and brands:

• Series-based storytelling (e.g., “Part 1 of my brand’s glow-up”)
• Day-in-the-life or “unfiltered” content that adds personality
• Educational carousels or step-by-step explainers
• Challenge videos that invite response or participation

Pay attention to your video lengths, too. While TikTok now supports up to 10-minute uploads, the sweet spot for short-form video is between 15 and 60 seconds—especially for new creators or brands testing what works. You can also remix your existing video into new formats, test different video lengths, or post similar clips based on trending videos to capitalize on what’s already working.

Example: A local coffee shop that did “Behind-the-barista” clips with trending songs saw more reach than its polished brand ads. Relatability and format matter more than production value.

Now that you know which formats are performing, let’s talk about staying consistent without burning out.

4. Post consistently and develop a smart TikTok content rhythm

Consistency builds trust—and TikTok trains the algorithm to recognize your presence. But that doesn’t mean you need to post five times a day. You need a schedule that helps you post consistently—because consistency trains the algorithm to recognize your presence.

Start by defining how often you can create high-quality content without burning out. For some creators, that’s 3–4 posts a week. For brands, 2–3 well-planned videos may be more effective than daily content with no strategy.

To stay consistent:

• Batch shoot 1–2 days a week
• Use TikTok’s built-in scheduler
• Repost older videos in new formats when relevant

Your TikTok presence improves when you show up regularly, not sporadically. And the more you post, the more signals the algorithm has to learn what your audience likes.

Example: A small business that commits to 3 themed videos per week—like customer reviews, behind-the-scenes videos, and product how-tos—sees better follower growth than one trying to post daily without a plan.

Once you’ve found your rhythm, let’s talk about how to reach even more people using hashtags, ads, and timely trends.

5. Use relevant hashtags and trending challenges to expand reach

To grow beyond your current audience, tap into how TikTok surfaces new content. One of the most effective ways to do that is by using relevant hashtags for business and joining trending challenges—especially ones aligned with your niche.

Hashtags help the TikTok algorithm understand what your video is about and who might like it. But it’s not about stuffing 30 random tags. Instead:

• Mix 1–2 broad hashtags (e.g., #tiktokfashion) with 2–3 niche ones (e.g., #momstylehacks)
• Use campaign or location-specific tags if you’re a brand
• Stay current with trending hashtags, but only when they align with your content

Joining TikTok trends or community challenges can also introduce your content to new circles. Even better? You can create your own branded challenge with a clever sound or angle. You can amplify top-performing posts with TikTok and in-feed ads to reach a broader audience that may not organically find you.

Example: A wellness brand launched a “morning reset” challenge, encouraging social media followers to share their routines using the same sound clip and tag. This boosted engagement, saved posts, and increased followers in just one week.

Now that you’re reaching a broader audience, let’s talk about partnerships—and how collaborating with other creators can double your exposure.

6. Collaborate with other creators to tap into new TikTok audiences

One of the fastest ways to grow your reach and get more followers on TikTok is by teaming up with people who are your desired audience. Collaborating with other TikTok creators means you’re not just creating content—you’re cross-pollinating communities.

These partnerships work because they:

• Build trust through association
• Tap into existing credibility
• Trigger the algorithm to surface your content to other TikTok users with similar interests

Some easy ways to collaborate:

• Duet or stitch another creator’s video
• Co-create a challenge or skit
• Feature each other in a Q&A or series

This works for brands, too. Teaming up with nano- or micro-TikTok influencers can help you reach a larger audience without spending too much on ads.

Example: A sustainable clothing brand worked with a thrift-flipping creator to launch a “1 week, 1 outfit” style series. It brought in hundreds of potential followers they weren’t reaching through their own posts. 

This proved collaborations can be a smart shortcut if you're wondering how to get more followers on TikTok fast without spending on ads.

With collaborations bringing in new viewers, the next step is turning that attention into lasting engagement—by keeping your audience involved.

7. Keep your audience engaged through interactive video content

Getting a view is easy. Keeping your audience involved? That’s what drives real follower growth. The TikTok algorithm favors creators who build community, not just visibility—and that starts with interaction.

Here’s how to keep your audience engaged beyond the scroll:

• Reply to comments with follow-up videos
• Pin the most relatable or funny responses
• Ask direct questions in your captions
• Invite viewers to share their own takes

🎯 Brands can encourage audience participation through behind-the-scenes challenges, “this or that” polls, or mini-contests. Resharing user-generated content (UGC)—and remembering to share user-generated content across platforms—adds credibility while building trust.

Repurpose your own content that’s already performed well, and remix it into fresh formats. If one of your older posts worked, revisit it using a new hook or visual approach.

Example: A dog groomer went viral with a “guess the breed” series. They then used video content replies to fan comments to extend the series—and their existing followers loved the interaction.

While interaction builds loyalty, avoiding the common mistakes that silently limit your growth is just as important.

8. Avoid common mistakes that silently slow follower growth

Sometimes, what you stop doing is as important as what you start. If your videos aren’t getting traction—even when you’re doing “everything right”—you might be making silent mistakes that are holding back your growth.

Let’s address a few common missteps:

• Ignoring TikTok analytics. You’re missing critical data if you’re not tracking which videos get shares, saves, or rewatches. Use analytics to identify your best performers, ideal video lengths, and when your audience is most active.
• Deleting multiple videos too quickly. Removing underperformers too often resets your TikTok account momentum and confuses the TikTok algorithm.
• Inconsistent or forced content. Posting just for the sake of it—especially if it doesn’t align with your tone or audience—can hurt your follower count and drop your engagement rate.
• Low-effort, non-strategic trends. Jumping on trending music without a strong hook or original twist can blend your content into the noise.
• Skipping comments or replies. The algorithm favors creators who engage, so don’t ghost your audience.

The most common issue for brands is applying a corporate digital marketing playbook that doesn’t match TikTok’s casual, native vibe. If you’re running TikTok marketing like LinkedIn ads, it won’t land.

Remember to share user-generated content from happy customers. This boosts your credibility and improves your content’s visibility across TikTok’s For You Page.

Now that you’ve eliminated the habits that hold you back, let’s explore how to use other platforms to fuel your TikTok growth even faster.

9. Cross-promote your TikTok content on other social media platforms

Want to grow your TikTok faster? Start sharing your content where people already follow you. Cross-promoting on other social media platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, or even Pinterest can bring in new followers who might not discover you on TikTok alone.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Repost your TikTok videos on platforms like Instagram or YouTube—just remove the watermark for better reach
• Use teaser clips or behind-the-scenes shots to drive traffic back to your TikTok
• Add your TikTok profile link—and even your TikTok username—in bios and linktrees across your social media platforms so new users can instantly follow your account.
• If you’re on YouTube or IG Stories, mention your TikTok account when posting a new video

Brands and creators who cross-promote with a consistent voice and clear CTA see better engagement across the board and unlock growth beyond TikTok’s in-app reach.

💡 Pro tip: Introduce your TikTok in email footers, blogs, and physical packaging. The more visibility your content has across other platforms, the faster your audience will grow.

FAQs on how to get more followers on TikTok

How to get more followers on TikTok with less stress? Leave that to Birdeye Social

The truth is, there’s no overnight trick to growing on TikTok. But these nine strategies give you a sustainable, proven framework for attracting the right audience—whether building a personal brand or scaling a business presence.

If you’re ready to get more followers on TikTok without stretching yourself thin, let Birdeye Social do the heavy lifting.

From generating content ideas to replying to comments in seconds, Social AI helps you stay active, creative, and consistent. It will help you focus on how to get more real followers on TikTok who engage, stay, and convert.

✨ Start using Birdeye Social and grow your TikTok presence with more confidence.