As a TikTok creator, one of the most exciting notifications to receive is that your video has been shared. Having your content reshared exposes it to new audiences, racks up more views, and ultimately helps you attract more followers.
Shares have always been a key engagement metric on social media, but they hold particular power on TikTok. According to a Kantar study, TikTok boasts the highest sharing rate of any major social platform, with users reposting videos to other channels and chats at 1.5x the rate of other platforms. TikTok‘s short-form video format is ideal for quick consumption and sharing.
Clearly, shares are a crucial currency for TikTok success. But many creators have one big question when it comes to sharing: Can you see exactly who shared your TikTok videos?
In this guide, we‘ll dive into:
- What TikTok‘s sharing features allow (and don‘t allow) you to see
- How to track your TikTok shares using in-app analytics
- Strategies for creating highly shareable TikTok content
- Expert tips for boosting your share count
Can You See Who Shared Your TikTok Videos?
When you post a video on TikTok, your viewers have multiple options for sharing it. They can:
- Share to their TikTok followers via the For You or Following feed
- Share to other social media platforms like Instagram Stories or Snapchat
- Share via direct messaging on platforms like WhatsApp or SMS
- Share via other TikTok features like Duets or Stitches
With all these sharing options, creators are eager to know: Is it possible to get a list of every person who shared your TikTok?
The short answer is no. TikTok does not give creators access to the specific usernames of people who share their content.
This is a deliberate privacy measure. Many users would likely feel uncomfortable knowing that their activity was being broadcast to creators every time they shared a post.
However, while TikTok doesn‘t provide granular data on individual shares, it does offer useful analytics to help you track your overall share counts and trends.
How to See Your TikTok Share Metrics
To access your TikTok sharing data, head to the Analytics section of your Creator Tools. Here‘s how:
- From your profile page, tap the three lines icon in the top right corner
- Tap Creator Tools
- Tap Analytics
- In the Analytics dashboard, tap the Content tab
Here, you‘ll see a feed of all your posted TikToks along with key metrics for each one, including likes, comments, shares, and total play time.
Tapping on an individual video will bring up even more detailed analytics, including:
- Total shares: The total number of times your video has been shared to TikTok feeds, other platforms, or messages
- TikTok shares: The number of times your video was reposted to another user‘s TikTok feed
- Other platforms shares: The number of times your video was shared to other social networks
- Messages shares: The number of times your video was shared via direct messages on TikTok or other apps
Monitoring these share metrics over time can help you identify patterns in which types of content get shared the most. For example, you might notice that your comedy skits consistently get more shares than your dance videos. You can use these insights to double down on your most shareable content categories.
What Makes People Want to Share a TikTok Video?
To rack up more TikTok shares, it‘s important to understand the psychology behind why people share content in the first place. According to a study by The New York Times Customer Insight Group, there are five key motivations for sharing:
- To bring valuable and entertaining content to others: 94% of respondents said they consider how information they share will be useful to the recipient
- To define ourselves to others: 68% said they share to give people a better sense of who they are and what they care about
- To grow and nourish our relationships: 78% said they share to stay connected to people they may not otherwise stay in touch with
- Self-fulfillment: 69% said they share because it allows them to feel more involved in the world
- To get the word out about causes or brands: 84% said they share to support causes or issues they care about
As a TikTok creator, you can lean into these motivations to make content that‘s highly shareable. This might look like:
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Prioritizing entertainment value: Make content that‘s funny, surprising, heartwarming, or otherwise leaves an emotional impact. People love to share videos that will delight others.
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Getting personal: Sharing vulnerable stories or opinions helps people feel more connected to you. Make content that shows off your unique personality and worldview – it‘ll resonate with like-minded viewers who want to spread your message.
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Jumping on trends: Using trending sounds, hashtags, and formats signals that you‘re plugged into the cultural conversation. This makes your content more relevant and share-worthy, especially to users who want to show their own networks that they‘re in the know.
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Touching on social issues: 61% of people say they‘re more likely to share content about social causes. Don‘t be afraid to take a stance on issues that matter to you; it can make your content meaningful and share-worthy to those who agree.
Highly Shared TikToks: Case Studies & Takeaways
Need some inspiration for your own shareable TikToks? Let‘s analyze some examples of videos that received high shares and extract some principles you can apply to your own content.
1. Bella Poarch‘s "M to the B" lip sync
- Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@bellapoarch/video/6862153058223197446
- Share count: 5.4 million
- Key features: Huge lip sync trend (over 2 million videos used this sound), mesmerizing visual effects and head bobbing, unexpected comedy moment at end
- Takeaways: Hop on major TikTok trends, keep viewers engaged with creative visuals, include an element of surprise
2. Tabitha Brown‘s vegan carrot bacon recipe
- Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamtabithabrown/video/6845985459413412102
- Share count: 230k
- Key features: Unique recipe idea with a twist on a food trend (carrot "bacon"), warm and approachable presenting style, showcases Tabitha‘s personality
- Takeaways: Share content that teaches viewers something new, infuse videos with your unique voice and viewpoint, tap into existing trends in an unexpected way
3. Will Smith‘s Wipe It Down challenge
- Video: https://www.tiktok.com/@willsmith/video/6835451851667877126
- Share count: 1.1 million
- Key features: Participation from a major celebrity, seamless editing to create a "wow" moment, popular challenge format, direct call to action in caption ("I wanna see yall version")
- Takeaways: Collaborate with other creators to cross-pollinate audiences, make content that encourages others to share their own takes, make the most of a viral challenge while it‘s hot
These examples illustrate some key ingredients for TikTok shareability:
- Using sounds and formats that are currently trending
- Putting a unique spin on an existing trend
- Highlighting the creator‘s distinct personality
- Incorporating unexpected, impressive, or satisfying moments
- Encouraging others to share or recreate the idea
Expert Tips for Getting More TikTok Shares
Want to take your TikTok shares to the next level? Here are some pro strategies to try:
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Make the first seconds count. TikTok users decide very quickly if a video is worth watching and sharing. Hook them instantly with an intriguing statement, question, or visual.
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Directly ask for shares. Sometimes a simple call to action is all it takes to get people sharing. Try ending your videos with a quick request like "share this with a friend who needs to hear it!"
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Include text overlays. Many people watch TikToks without sound. Using text on your videos ensures your key points hit home even in silent mode, making viewers more likely to share.
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Find share-worthy sounds. If you‘re not sure what sounds are popping on TikTok at any given moment, check the "Trending" section of the Sounds page. Using these clips boosts your chance of getting picked up by the algorithm.
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Post when your audience is most active. Check your TikTok Analytics to see what days and times your followers are most engaged. Schedule your posts during these peak windows to maximize shares.
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Share your own TikToks on other platforms. Promoting your videos on your other social channels can help generate more shares from your different audience bases. Some creators even post their TikToks on Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts first before sharing to TikTok!
Frequently Asked Questions About TikTok Shares
Why can‘t I see who shared my TikTok?
TikTok does not show creators the specific usernames of people who shared their videos in order to protect user privacy. You can see overall share metrics in your TikTok Analytics, but not details on individual shares.
What counts as a "share" on TikTok?
A share is counted anytime your video is re-posted to another user‘s TikTok feed, shared to another social media platform, or shared via direct message on TikTok or another app.
Should I delete my TikToks if they don‘t get many shares?
Not necessarily. Shares are just one important metric out of many. A video might get more comments or likes than shares, for example, but still be creating valuable engagement. Also, videos can randomly go viral weeks or months after posting, so be patient!
Can I see how many times my video is shared to Duets or Stitches?
Yes, but it‘s a bit complicated. To see Stitch & Duet numbers, go to the Content tab of your Analytics, tap the video in question, then tap the "Reached Audience" button. Then, compare the number under "From your profile" to the number under "Watched full video" – this will tell you how many of your full video views came from Stitches and Duets.
Do shares help you make money on TikTok?
Shares are not a direct factor in TikTok‘s Creator Fund payout formula, which is based more on views and engagement. However, shares are a huge catalyst for getting more views. More shares → more views → more money.
Key Takeaways
Shares are one of the most powerful metrics on TikTok for expanding your reach and finding new fans. While you can‘t see the usernames of specific people who shared your videos, TikTok Analytics provides plenty of helpful data on your share counts and which types of videos are getting the most traction.
To optimize your TikToks for sharing, keep these tips in mind:
- Pinpoint your most shared content categories and double down on them
- Hook viewers in the first 1-2 seconds with a striking visual or message
- Put your own creative spin on trending sounds and formats
- Incorporate an element of surprise, impress, or emotional impact
- Write captions and overlays that make your key points unmissable
- Call your viewers to action by asking them to share with friends
The beauty of TikTok is that any video has the potential to go viral with the right combination of timing, shareability, and luck. Stay consistent with your content, keep an eye on your share metrics, and most importantly, have fun with the process. Your next share-magnet video could be just around the corner!
