If you’re new to TikTok or only use it to scroll mindlessly through funny videos, you may have not heard of the term FYP. Or maybe you’ve come across this term before, and never paid too much attention to it.
Don't worry, you don't have to remain in the dark. Here's an explanation of what FYP means on TikTok and how it's relevant to the app...
What Does FYP Mean?
When it comes to TikTok, FYP stands for the "For You Page". This page is actually the thing that defines most of the user experience, so it’s something worth knowing more about, and understanding.
When you open TikTok on mobile (or you can use TikTok on your desktop), the FYP is the first thing that you’ll be presented with. This is basically your primary feed on the app.
You will see the words For You written at the top of the screen, indicating that you have indeed landed on the FYP.
In TikTok, the FYP is the default home screen. Right next to it, you'll see Following, which is another feed you can switch to. This feed includes posts from every account that you’re following.
What Does the FYP Do on TikTok?
While other social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, show you posts from people and pages that you have to actively follow and like, TikTok's FYP is completely algorithm-based. This means that when you first sign up for TikTok, your For You Page may look quite generic and maybe even a little bit boring.
However, after scrolling for some time, the app will start learning your watching behaviors and present you with content tailored to your interests. You can find some equivalents to this with the Instagram Explore page, which shows you content similar to what you’ve liked and clicked on in the past.
But TikTok takes this to a whole new level.
What Will You Get on Your FYP?
There are very few common denominators between one FYP and another since they are personalized to your app usage. For example, you may have heard that dance routine videos are a big trend on TikTok, but your FYP is completely filled with Call of Duty videos, and nothing else. This is because you were probably shown a few dance videos in the past, and you were simply not that interested.
The FYP relies on what you like. This includes videos you’ve made the effort of liking, watched all the way through, watched several times, commented on, shared with your friends, or any other algorithmically significant actions. All of these factors help curate a deeply personal experience.
The uniqueness that comes with each individual user experience has created numerous TikTok subcultures. This includes communities like Gay TikTok, Lesbian TikTok, Bi TikTok, Black TikTok, Frog TikTok, Plant TikTok, Cosplay TikTok, and so many others.
Based on your behaviors (and on those of users similar to you), you may find your FYP dragging you into a rabbit hole without you even noticing.
What Is #FYP?
The videos on your FYP can be from creators and accounts you’ve never heard of. This means that even anonymous accounts can have a viral video if enough people get exposed to it on their FYP.
But this also leads to the common use of #fyp. People who wish to get more exposure and likes on their videos will usually add this hashtag in their video description, or as a comment. Another spin on this is #foryoupage.
However, getting onto as many For You Pages as possible is not that simple. Much like in other platforms, the TikTok algorithm is not really transparent. If we’re talking about videos that are shown universally on every FYP, the company claims that its employees curate them.
As for others that manage to get on the page, there are numerous tutorials with theories and assumptions on how they got there. Some suggest different times of the day to post, while others talk about trending sounds. TikTok also published a blog post in June of 2020, trying to shed some light on the algorithm.
How to Personalize Your FYP
The FYP is just that: there for you, to provide you with hours of viewing pleasure. So the best way to have it show you exactly what you want is simply to interact with it as much as you can.
Like videos, comment, and rewatch, and you’ll get to see more of that content in no time at all.