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From viral-video-master
Provides detailed breakdowns of TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook algorithms for 2025-2026, including signals, cold starts, optimization strategies, and platform comparisons.
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/viral-video-master:viral-video-platform-algorithmsThe summary Claude sees in its skill listing — used to decide when to auto-load this skill
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Complete guide to understanding and optimizing for TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook algorithms.
All major platforms use similar principles:
Platforms Want:
What Drives Distribution:
| Signal | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | Highest | Total seconds watched |
| Completion Rate | Very High | % of video watched |
| Replays | High | Video watched multiple times |
| Shares | High | Direct shares to others |
| Comments | Medium-High | Written engagement |
| Follows | Medium | New followers from video |
| Likes | Lower (2025) | Heart button taps |
2025 Update: Shallow interactions (likes) have reduced weight compared to deeper signals like watch time and replays.
How New Videos Are Tested:
Cold Start Success Factors:
Algorithm Favors:
Algorithm Deprioritizes:
2025 Algorithm Change: TikTok now heavily favors micro-niche over broad appeal.
Benefits:
Strategy:
How Videos Reach FYP:
FYP Success Factors:
| Hashtag Type | Purpose | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Broad/Trending | Reach attempt | #fyp, #viral |
| Category | Topic discovery | #fitness, #cooking |
| Niche | Targeted audience | #beginneryoga, #airfryer |
| Branded | Campaign tracking | #YourBrandChallenge |
Optimal Strategy:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended frequency | 1-4 times daily |
| Views in first 24 hours | 68% |
| Peak window improvement | 30% better results |
| Growth with 2-4x daily | 2.5x higher follower growth |
| Signal | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | Highest | Total minutes watched |
| Audience Retention | Very High | % of video watched |
| Click-Through Rate | Very High | Clicks / Impressions |
| Session Time | High | Time viewer stays on YouTube |
| Engagement | Medium | Likes, comments, shares |
| Subscriber Actions | Medium | New subs, bell clicks |
| Signal | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Watch Time | Highest | Per-video and cumulative |
| Completion Rate | Very High | Essential for short-form |
| Engagement | High | All interaction types |
| Swipe-Away Rate | High | Inverse signal (lower = better) |
Shorts + Long-Form Connection:
Where Videos Are Discovered:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Home Feed | Personalized recommendations |
| Search | Keyword-based discovery |
| Suggested | After/alongside other videos |
| Browse Features | Trending, playlists |
| Notifications | Subscriber alerts |
| External | Google search, social shares |
Ranking Factors:
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Watch time | Most important |
| Click-through rate | Very important |
| Engagement | Important |
| Keywords (title, description) | Important |
| Closed captions | 94% of top videos have them |
| Video length | 8-9 minutes best for search |
SEO Statistics:
| Day | Best Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6-9 PM | Peak performance |
| Wednesday | 6-9 PM | Peak performance |
| All weekdays | 12-3 PM | Good secondary window |
| Friday-Saturday | Afternoon | Broader engagement window |
Key Strategies:
Maximize Watch Time
Optimize CTR
Increase Session Time
| Signal | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Topic Clarity | Very High | Clear content categorization |
| Engagement | High | Saves, shares, comments, likes |
| Watch Time | High | Duration viewed |
| Follows from Reel | High | Audience growth signal |
| Audio Usage | Medium | Trending audio preference |
Key Change: Topic Clarity Emphasis
Instagram now prioritizes content that can be clearly categorized by topic.
Impact:
Instagram's content evaluation framework:
| Time | Checkpoint | Algorithm Action |
|---|---|---|
| 3 seconds | Hook evaluation | Continue or abandon |
| 8 seconds | Interest deepening | Engagement prediction |
| 12+ seconds | Value delivery | Distribution decision |
New Feature (2025): Test content without risking engagement metrics.
Benefits:
2025 Shift: Instagram moving from hashtags to keyword-based SEO.
New Strategy:
| Day | Best Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM - 6 PM | Peak engagement |
| Wednesday | 11 AM - 6 PM | Peak engagement |
| Thursday | 11 AM - 6 PM | Peak engagement |
Best Practices:
| Signal | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | Very High | Facebook's core mechanic |
| Comments | High | Discussion generation |
| Watch Time | High | Completion rate |
| Reactions | Medium | Emotional responses |
| Saves | Medium | Bookmark behavior |
Content Preferences:
| Time | Performance |
|---|---|
| Late Friday night | Highest views |
| Midnight into Saturday | Peak performance |
| First 1-2 hours | Critical for reach |
Key Insight: Facebook Reels timing is notably different from other platforms.
When to Cross-Post:
When Not to Cross-Post:
| Platform | Time for 1 View |
|---|---|
| YouTube | 30 seconds |
| 3 seconds | |
| 2 seconds | |
| 3 seconds | |
| TikTok | 3 seconds |
| Platform | Short-Form | Long-Form |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 15-30 seconds | N/A |
| YouTube Shorts | 50-60 seconds | N/A |
| YouTube Long | N/A | 8-15 minutes |
| Instagram Reels | 7-30 seconds | N/A |
| Facebook Reels | 15-30 seconds | N/A |
| Platform | Top Priorities |
|---|---|
| TikTok | Watch time, replays, shares |
| YouTube | Watch time, CTR, session time |
| Topic clarity, engagement, watch time | |
| Shares, comments, reactions |
| Platform | Strategy |
|---|---|
| TikTok | 3-5 hashtags, mix niche + category |
| YouTube | Keywords > hashtags, max 15 |
| 3-5 relevant, keyword optimization | |
| Minimal hashtags, focus on shares |
Hook Optimization (All Platforms)
Retention Optimization (All Platforms)
Engagement Optimization (Platform-Specific)
Discovery Optimization (Platform-Specific)
Consistency (All Platforms)
| Content Type | Best Platform | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | TikTok | Shortest attention, discovery-focused |
| Educational | YouTube Long | Depth valued, search discovery |
| Product/Commerce | TikTok | Shop integration, buying intent |
| Professional | B2B audience, career focus | |
| Lifestyle | Visual-first, aesthetic-driven | |
| News/Trending | TikTok | Speed of trend adoption |
Across All Platforms:
Platform-Specific:
| Platform | Expected Changes |
|---|---|
| TikTok | More shop integration, niche refinement |
| YouTube | Shorts/long-form synergy, CTV optimization |
| Continued keyword SEO shift | |
| Meta AI integration, Reels priority |
Monitor:
TikTok:
YouTube:
Instagram:
Facebook:
npx claudepluginhub josiahsiegel/claude-plugin-marketplace --plugin viral-video-masterOptimizes short-form videos for TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Reels with platform lengths, 1.3s hooks, algorithm insights, captions, hashtags, schedules.
Provides platform-specific tactics for Twitter/X and LinkedIn including algorithm understanding, content formats ranked by engagement, posting strategy, and growth tactics.
Develops social media strategies, creates platform-specific content, and optimizes engagement across LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.