TikTok's Algorithm: Does Negativity Boost Success?

TikTok's Algorithm: A Double-Edged Sword for Creators May 13, 2025 - A recent TikTok video by creator Maggie May (@metaphysical.af) has sparked discussion about the platform's algorithm and its impact on content creators' success. May claims that TikTok rewards engagement regardless of its nature, meaning that even negative comments can unexpectedly boost a video's visibility. This is because increased engagement, even from negative comments, translates to more watch time, a key metric for the algorithm. "TikTok sees that people are engaging with your videos," May explains in her video. "And on videos where you've clearly triggered people and they're going off in the comments...TikTok rewards you." While May's observations are compelling, they are based on personal experience. Further research is needed to verify the extent to which negative engagement consistently boosts video performance across different TikTok accounts and content types. However, her video highlights an important question about the balance between fostering positive online interactions and maximizing reach on platforms like TikTok.