If you’re a frequent TikTok user, then you already know how addictive the “For You” feed can be when you’re looking to kill some time. While the “Following” feed is a terrific way to catch up with friends and preferred creators, “For You” is where avid TikTok users find new content to love, all recommended by TikTok’s magical algorithm, of course.
But what happens when “For You” starts feeling a little stale? Have you ever wished there was an easy way to reset things? If so, then you’ll be thrilled to know TikTok has just begun rolling out a refresh feature that allows users to do exactly that.
How Does “Refresh” Work?
To be crystal clear, TikTok’s new Refresh feature is not the same as the standard pull-down refresh function that lets you reload your feed. It’s a lot closer to a full-scale do-over for users that feel content in their feed is getting repetitive or simply isn’t relevant to their interests anymore.
Should you decide to activate the Refresh feature, you’ll be treated to an entirely virgin feed, just like the one you had when you first signed up for TikTok. To kick things off, you’ll be shown some content proven to be popular with a wide range of users.
Then, as you interact more with what’s shown to you, your brand new For You feed will eventually evolve into something more in step with what you’re currently into. Think of it as a complete reboot for one of TikTok’s most effective features for discovering new content to love.
Does “Refresh” Affect Other Settings?
Choosing to enable the Refresh feature only affects your For You feed. It doesn’t wipe your inbox or get rid of your notifications. It doesn’t affect your follow lists, your profile, or any of your content. It doesn’t change or undo any of your current settings, either.
It’s designed to be a more robust version of the “Not Interested” feature you already have for letting TikTok’s algorithm know when you’re not into something it shows you. Because while “Not Interested” is great, it’s easy to feel like it’s just not doing the job sometimes. That’s when Refresh represents an attractive option.
How Do You Access Refresh?
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If you think Refresh sounds like just what the doctor ordered for your TikTok, you can find it by entering your settings. From there, click through to content preferences. If Refresh is available for your profile, you’ll see an option that reads “Refresh For You Feed.”
TikTok will ensure you know Refresh can’t be undone if you click it. But once you proceed, your For You feed will quite literally be as good as new.
What Are the Benefits of Using Refresh?
So, why would a particular TikTok user decide to use Refresh instead of waiting for the For You feed to evolve naturally over time?
It’s faster
If you’ve used TikTok for long, then you know that it can take a while for your For You feed to respond to differences in how you interact with the platform. It’s not unusual for people to be really into something specific one day but entirely over it the next.
In other words, sometimes a person’s likes and dislikes undergo a swift and complete overhaul. Refresh allows them to apply one to their For You feed to match.
It cuts down on repetitive content
Sometimes, it’s less that TikTok is showing you too much content you’re not into and more that it’s being too repetitive. TikTok itself has stated that part of what it hopes to accomplish with Refresh is enhanced discoverability.
The platform already tries to avoid showing consecutive videos from the same user, content that utilizes the same sound, and so forth.
How Might Refresh Impact Marketing Strategy?
TikTok has already been ahead of the game for a while because of how quickly its algorithm learns. It’s not as reliant on manual actions users might choose to take while using the app. Instead, it tracks the nuances of how users behave while using TikTok and recommends content based on that.
Refresh is a sign that TikTok is confident enough in the effectiveness of its algorithm that they don’t mind allowing users to throw out their entire interaction history on a whim.
Digital marketers should respond by focusing on what works on TikTok and creating content to match. Use hashtags wisely. Keep track of the latest viral TikTok trends and figure out ways to get your brand involved. And most of all, have fun with your TikTok presence, as that’s what users respond to most.
In conclusion, TikTok Refresh is the platform’s latest way to help users connect with the content they want to see. Brands should respond in kind by continuing to create stellar content that turns heads and gets attention.
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