TikTok's 'Not Interested' Button Helps But Requires Constant Use to Work

TikTok users have less control over their For You Page (FYP) algorithm than they commonly believe, according to new findings. While the platform does offer tools like the 'Not Interested' button to help shape content recommendations, these features do not work passively on their own. Users must actively and repeatedly engage with these controls to meaningfully influence what content appears on their feed. Without consistent and intentional curation, TikTok's algorithm tends to revert to its default recommendation patterns. The findings highlight a gap between user perception of algorithmic control and the reality of how the platform's recommendation system actually functions.