4. The "Sonic Quality" Misconception

Musicians often believe that the algorithm will reward them if their song is sonically pleasing or well-produced. This is a fundamental misunderstanding. The algorithm does not have "ears"; it has data points. The "sonic quality" of your song is entirely secondary to its retentive function within the video. A "good" TikTok sound is one that supports a video's narrative and encourages completion. A lo-fi, distorted vocal might outperform a perfectly mixed pop song if it creates a more compelling or watchable video. Your song is not the product; it is a tool used to enhance the watch time of the actual product, which is the video.