Shares are often the biggest algorithmic factor for your video to go viral, with engagement coming in second.
If your content is good and hooks the viewer, it will mechanically trigger him go to check out the comment section.
This applies across platforms, not just TikTok.
In most cases, you want to ensure that an engagement hook is baked into the video to kickstart this comment section.
The typical approach is to use content that’s highly controversial as it naturally triggers engagement.
If you don’t have super controversial content, there are other ways to do so (or to stack on top of controversial content).
Here are 13 engagement farming strategies that i’ve seen crushing on TikTok:
1. Don’t mention the name of the app
Show off the app, but don’t mention its name or any other way to find it. This is a classic strategy and one of the most straight-forward.
The idea behind keeping the app’s name a mystery is that when the video blows up, it triggers massive FOMO. Goal is to get people to comment “what’s the app?”.
+ because you don’t mention the app, the video doesn’t feel like a direct “promotion”.
Let them FOMO.
2. “Forgetting” the link
Say “link below” and “link in bio” but don’t actually post any link to the app.
When the video starts getting traction, everyone will go crazy asking for the link and telling you it’s not there and they can’t find it.
Let them cook, then drop the link.
3. User input for customized app output
Color Analysis (tt@coloranalyses) did this recently, and did it really well.
In this micro-strategy, you post specific combinations of answers within the app to deliver a targeted result.
Viewers can’t see their combo which triggers their desire for personal recognition and will automatically comment to ask the creator to do their own (e.g. here: A – blue eyes, A – blonde hair, C – pale skin = AAC = “Bright Summer Palette”).
Let them be ego-centric.
4. Intentionally saying something wrong
In one of the WhatColors (tt@whatcolors.fashion) video, the guy says that “Billie Eye-Lash” is wearing a green shirt when she is wearing a blue one.
This strategy triggers an instant compulsion to correct, tapping into the viewer’s desire to showcase his knowledge.
Everyone went to correct him.
Let them show-off.
5. Writing with typos
Similar to making a “mistake”, you spell some word wrong on purpose.
It’ll trigger the same behavior as in the previous strategy.
Again, people love to correct and fix others and they will engage in comments.
Let them be grammar purists.
6. Adding an “irrelevant” detail on the video
TogetherKeys’ (tt@togetherkeys1) videos are meant to showcase keychain holders, but they intentionally use Ferrari and Porsche car keys to subtly trigger you.
This approach pushes the watchers to notice and point out the insane “detail.”
Clever tactic, especially when paired with a consistent posting format.
They found this format that continuously performs, and further optimize by adding smart, eye-catching details like this one.
Let them be detectives.
7. Self-categorization
Color Widgets (@color.widgets) uses a slideshow post to showcase different app aesthetics, asking, “Which one are you?”
This triggers self-identification with categories like zodiac signs, aesthetics, color palettes, etc.
You can see similar behavior with astrology slideshows, where viewers comment on what resonates with them personally.
This self-categorization also encourages a sharing effect. If you know someone with the same sign, you’re likely to share it with them.
Let them identify.
8. Share an exclusive, non-available feature of your app
SUSH app (tt@sush_app) is executing this strategy really well.
They post a feature for the app that requires a code, but don’t share the code.
It leads people to get impatient and flood the comment section asking for the code.
Let them cook more.
9. Cognitive challenge
Question AI (@question.ai.mathworld) posts math quizzes for people to solve.
It’s pushes users to showcase their skills, gain social recognition, and engage in debates about the correctness and reasoning behind their answers.
Let them create discussion.
10. Forget a category
Like “forget the link” strategy, you can forget an entire category.
It’s done repeatedly in those astrology slideshows, removing one or two categories on purpose. In their case about 1 out of 12 people will be affected and likely comment:
«What about me?»
Let them feel left out.
11. Replying to:
Replying to user comments in following posts. This is big on TikTok.
People see you replying to others and comment with their own requests, hoping to be answered next.
Let them ask for it.
12. Referral code
Glam Up recently tried this strategy: they launched an app where users can earn free credits with a referral code.
Since they’re targeting teenage girls who might not have much to spend, this effectively drives them back to the video.
There, they post their referral codes.
Some of them are sharing their codes on every video from the account.
Let them ask for free stuff.
13. Waitlist or gated app
Multiple apps ran this strategy successfully.
Especially ones with a waitlist or running pre-launch viral strategies.
They show a crazy new app on TikTok, people get excited, go to the App store, see the waitlist, come back to the video and comment that it’s not yet live or that they need a code to get in.
It can also work with a non-crazy/exciting app. As long as the video goes viral and the FOMO is triggered.
So let them FOMO even more.
Until next time
Adapt each one to fit your product and context.
Creating a viral video or post is like designing a viral product: details can make all the difference.
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