Getting a TikTok video onto the For You Page (FYP) is one of the biggest goals for creators looking to reach new audiences. Yet two videos with similar content can have completely different results. One might attract thousands of views within hours, while the other struggles to gain attention.

A study published by Bulkoid examines whether early engagement could help explain these differences.

Based on more than 25,000 TikTok account-level scenarios, the analysis explores how initial views, likes, comments and engagement timing relate to a video’s estimated FYP potential.

The findings suggest that early audience activity may be an important part of a video’s growth trajectory, particularly for smaller accounts.

What Is the Bulkoid TikTok FYP Study?

The Bulkoid TikTok FYP study investigates the relationship between a video’s early engagement profile and its potential to reach a wider audience.

Rather than examining views or likes individually, the research compares combinations of engagement signals across different account sizes and timeframes.

The analysis focuses on five main variables:

  • Early views: How much initial exposure a video receives.
  • Likes: How frequently viewers respond positively.
  • Comments: Whether the content generates audience participation.
  • Engagement timing: How soon interactions appear after publication.
  • Account size: Whether follower count changes the relative importance of initial activity.

Using these variables, Bulkoid developed an internal model to estimate differences in FYP likelihood between engagement scenarios.

The study does not use an official TikTok ranking dataset. Its results should therefore be understood as modeled estimates rather than confirmed measurements of TikTok’s recommendation algorithm.

Key Findings From More Than 25,000 Scenarios

Bulkoid’s analysis identified three notable patterns involving engagement combinations, timing and follower count.

1. Combined Engagement Showed the Strongest Results

The clearest difference appeared when videos received several types of engagement instead of getting more TikTok views alone.

Early engagement profile Relative FYP likelihood
Very low early activity 1.0x
Stronger early views 1.8x
Views + likes 2.7x
Views + likes + comments 3.9x
Strong combined early engagement 5.1x

The strongest profile reached 5.1 times the estimated FYP likelihood of the lowest-activity baseline.

The progression suggests that looking at several engagement metrics together may provide a more useful picture of discovery potential than concentrating on a single number.

2. Engagement Timing Made a Difference

The analysis also examined how the timing of engagement affected estimated outcomes.

Engagement timing Relative FYP likelihood
Early launch window 5.1x
Later the same day 4.2x
24–48 hours later 2.9x
More than 48 hours later 1.7x

Videos receiving engagement shortly after publication had stronger modeled results than those attracting similar activity later.

However, this does not establish a strict deadline for reaching the FYP. TikTok can continue recommending content long after its original publication date.

3. Smaller Accounts Had the Largest Relative Differences

Follower count also influenced the results.

Account size Strongest relative FYP likelihood
Under 1,000 followers 5.1x
1,000–10,000 followers 4.4x
10,000–50,000 followers 3.6x
Over 50,000 followers 2.8x

The largest relative difference appeared among accounts with fewer than 1,000 followers.

One possible explanation is that established creators already have an audience capable of generating initial engagement. Smaller accounts have fewer followers available to provide that starting activity, making the contrast between a quiet launch and an active one more noticeable.

This interpretation does not mean TikTok automatically favors larger creators. Smaller accounts can still reach viewers beyond their existing followers through the recommendation system.

Why Views Alone Don’t Tell the Full Story

A video receiving thousands of views might appear successful at first glance. However, view counts reveal only part of its performance.

Consider two videos that each receive 5,000 views.

The first collects a handful of likes and very few comments. The second generates hundreds of likes, questions from viewers and an active discussion.

Although both videos have the same reach, their engagement patterns tell different stories.

Views show exposure, while likes and comments provide additional information about audience response.

This distinction matters because content performance involves more than attracting attention. Creators also need to understand what happens after someone encounters their video.

For example, a tutorial that encourages viewers to ask follow-up questions may reveal an opportunity to create an entire content series. A humorous video receiving a large number of shares might indicate that its format appeals to a broader audience.

By examining these patterns, creators can identify what their viewers respond to and use that information when planning future uploads.

Where Watch Time Fits Into TikTok’s Recommendation System

Although Bulkoid’s research concentrates on early engagement metrics, watch time remains an important part of the broader discussion.

According to TikTok’s official explanation of its recommendation system, the For You feed considers several categories of information, including user interactions, content details and user information.

These interactions can include watching a video in full, skipping content, liking a post or sharing it.

TikTok also explains that user interactions, including time spent watching, are generally weighted more heavily than other factors for most users.

This means that generating initial attention is only one part of a video’s performance.

If viewers immediately scroll away, a high view count may not reflect sustained interest. On the other hand, a video that keeps people watching and encourages relevant interactions can provide stronger evidence that its content resonates.

Creators should therefore consider retention metrics alongside visible engagement.

An effective opening, clear storytelling and a satisfying ending can help maintain attention throughout a video.

The goal is not simply to convince someone to press play, but to give them a reason to continue watching.

How Creators Can Apply the Findings

The research offers a useful framework for planning, publishing and evaluating TikTok content.

Prepare Content for Its Initial Audience

Before uploading, creators should consider who is most likely to enjoy the video.

A gaming tutorial, for example, should quickly establish which game it covers and what problem it solves. A technology review should introduce the product and communicate why viewers might care.

Clear positioning helps the intended audience recognize relevant content.

Build Engagement Around Genuine Interest

Creators can introduce new uploads to followers and communities already interested in the subject.

Sharing a useful video with an existing audience, responding to relevant comments and encouraging discussion can help create meaningful interactions.

Questions should also fit naturally into the content. Asking viewers about their experiences with a product or inviting opinions on a specific topic can generate more useful conversations than generic requests for likes.

Track Performance Beyond the View Count

TikTok analytics can help creators identify which videos attract attention and which maintain it.

Useful metrics include average watch time, completion rate, shares, comments and follower activity.

Comparing these measurements across similar videos can reveal strengths and weaknesses that total views might hide.

Use Repeated Results to Guide Content Decisions

A single successful upload does not establish a reliable growth strategy.

Instead, creators should compare results across several posts to identify recurring patterns.

If short tutorials consistently attract strong retention and relevant comments, producing more content in that format may be worthwhile.

This approach turns performance data into practical information for future planning.

How Bulkoid Connects the Research to TikTok Growth

Bulkoid operates in the social media engagement market, offering services for platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

Its TikTok services cover views, likes, comments and followers, with packages designed around different engagement quantities.

For creators exploring ways to increase visible activity on their posts, the company provides a TikTok views service alongside other engagement options.

The research offers context for why different engagement metrics attract attention in discussions about social media growth.

However, it is important to distinguish purchased engagement from organic audience response.

Increasing a visible engagement count does not establish that viewers are genuinely interested in the content, nor does it guarantee that TikTok will recommend a video more widely.

The study’s modeled estimates cannot be used as proof that purchasing views or interactions causes increased organic distribution.

For creators considering any form of promotion, understanding that distinction is essential.

What the Study Can and Cannot Establish

Bulkoid’s analysis provides a comparison of engagement profiles, but it does not reveal the exact mechanics of TikTok’s recommendation algorithm.

TikTok does not publish an official FYP probability score for individual videos. As a result, the figures in the research are relative estimates generated by Bulkoid’s model.

The study also cannot establish a direct causal relationship between adding engagement and receiving more organic recommendations.

Other factors, including video quality, audience preferences, watch time and content relevance, may contribute to the differences observed between scenarios.

These limitations do not make the findings irrelevant. They clarify how the research should be interpreted.

The results provide a framework for examining early engagement patterns, not a guaranteed formula for viral success.

What This Means for TikTok Creators

Bulkoid’s research highlights the value of looking beyond individual engagement metrics when evaluating TikTok performance.

For creators, the practical opportunity lies in developing a more deliberate publishing process. Understanding the intended audience, preparing content that holds attention and reviewing performance across multiple uploads can support better decisions.

Early engagement is worth monitoring, but it works best as one part of a broader content strategy.

The videos most worth studying are not necessarily those with the largest numbers. They are the ones that reveal why viewers chose to watch, interact and return for more.