Keep feeding my delusions 🥲

As a TikTok creator, I’ve often found myself confused and amused by the platform’s analytics. There have been times when TikTok notifies me that I’m outperforming 90% of other creators, yet my video only has 100 views and a handful of likes. This can feel like a strange disconnect between the stats and reality, leading to mixed feelings about what success really means on the app. From personal experience, one thing I've learned is that TikTok’s algorithm values engagement beyond simple view counts. Factors like how long someone watches, if they re-watch the video, or how quickly they swipe away can influence performance metrics. So, even if a video has fewer views or likes, it might still rank well because it’s capturing viewers’ attention effectively. Another aspect is understanding that competition varies greatly across different niches and times. TikTok compares your performance not just by raw numbers but also by the engagement rate relative to the audience size and content type. For creators, this means that sometimes these numbers don’t tell the full story but still reflect meaningful engagement within your community. If you’re like me, it helps to focus less on the numbers and more on the creative process and connection with your audience. Using hashtags like #delulu, which humorously acknowledges that slight disconnect between expectations and realities, can foster community and shared understanding among creators experiencing similar feelings. In summary, while TikTok’s analytics might seem perplexing at first, embracing the nuances can empower you to create content that resonates genuinely rather than just chasing views. Keep feeding your creativity and let the metrics be just one part of your unique journey on TikTok.