Has TikToks algorithm become less reliable for niche/tech content discovery?

[DanielParker01]

Hi everyone,

I wanted to get some perspectives from people here who follow tech-related content, especially around macOS, apps, and productivity.

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed that TikTok’s “For You” feed doesn’t seem as effective as it used to be when it comes to surfacing niche or high-signal content. I still occasionally come across useful clips (like Mac tips or lesser-known utilities), but overall it feels like the feed is getting diluted with recycled trends, short-lived viral content, or posts that aren’t very relevant to my interests.

I’ve tried resetting my feed, engaging only with relevant videos, and even following specific creators, but the recommendations still feel inconsistent.

So I’m wondering:

• Are others experiencing something similar with TikTok lately?
• Do you think the algorithm is shifting more toward mass appeal rather than niche discovery?
• And if you rely on short-form content for learning or staying updated, have you found better alternatives?

Interested to hear how others here are navigating this.

 

[DanielParker01]

Just to add to my original question — I’ve been paying a bit more attention to this over the past few days, and it really does feel like the algorithm is leaning more toward broad, high-retention content rather than niche depth.

Even when I interact mostly with tech-related clips, the feed still drifts back to generic trends after a while. It makes me think TikTok is prioritizing watch time and engagement loops over consistency in interest-based discovery.

I’ve also noticed similar behavior on some TikTok 18-style platforms (came across a few variations via protik18), where the recommendation system feels even more aggressive — it quickly locks you into certain patterns, but at the same time, it can become repetitive fast. So while discovery feels instant at first, it doesn’t always stay relevant long-term.

Curious if others have tested this more systematically or noticed similar shifts, especially with niche topics like dev tools or macOS workflows.

 

[Rodananne]

I think you may be right, Tic Tok is a trivia centric social media platform. Try Reddit. At least they have dedicated forums.