Platform Rules

Ch15 Platform Rules & Publishing: Making the Algorithm Work for You

Great content with poor publishing strategy delivers nothing. Every platform has its own algorithm logic, content review rules, and audience culture. Publishing identical content across all platforms simultaneously is one of the least efficient approaches. This chapter breaks down the core rules of China's three major short-form video platforms — and maps out the strategic differences that determine which content reaches millions of viewers and which gets buried.

Douyin: China's Largest Short Drama Platform

Douyin has 700M+ daily active users and leads all domestic platforms in short drama penetration rate and paid conversion. Understanding its distribution mechanism is the prerequisite for getting any meaningful reach.

Douyin's Four-Tier Distribution Pool

[Douyin Traffic Pool Model]

Tier 1: Initial pool (~200-500 impressions)
  Source: Followers + random system recommendation
  Evaluation window: first 2 hours after posting
  Advance criteria:
    Completion rate > 40%
    Engagement rate > 3% (likes + comments + shares)

Tier 2: Expanded pool (~1,000-5,000 impressions)
  Advance criteria:
    Completion rate > 45%
    Comment rate > 1%

Tier 3: Recommended pool (~10,000-100,000 impressions)
  Video enters "trending candidate" status
  Advance criteria:
    Completion rate > 50%
    Save rate > 2%

Tier 4: Viral pool (100,000+ impressions)
  Algorithm pushes massively — video becomes a hit
  May appear in local recommendations, trending topics

DOU+ Promotion Strategy

[DOU+ Usage Guide]

When to use:
  ✓ Video has 3,000+ organic views with completion rate > 45%
  ✗ Never boost videos with completion rate  **[CAUTION] High-risk content (immediate deletion/ban risk):**
> Sexually suggestive clothing or dialogue / Political content / Claiming AI content is real / Any romantic/suggestive content involving minors / Unauthorized copyrighted music / AI characters clearly resembling specific real celebrities


      

> **[WARNING] Medium-risk content (shadowban/limit risk):**
> Clickbait titles / "Like to unlock next episode" calls-to-action / Batch identical content across multiple accounts / Unlabeled AI-generated content


      

## Optimal Publishing Windows


      

| Platform | Weekday Best | Weekend Best | Avoid |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Douyin | 12:00-13:00 / 18:00-20:00 / 21:00-22:30 | 09:00-11:00 / 20:00-23:00 | 01:00-06:00 |
| Kuaishou | 11:00-12:00 / 20:00-22:00 | 10:00-12:00 / 19:00-22:00 | 06:00-09:00 |
| WeChat Channels | 12:00-13:00 / 20:00-22:00 | 10:00-12:00 / 20:00-22:00 | 00:00-07:00 |


      

## Multi-Platform Publishing Cadence


      

**[Release Schedule Template]**


      

Day 1: Douyin first (largest pool, validates content quality) Day 2: Kuaishou (if Douyin performs well, expand) Day 3: WeChat Channels (pair with Official Account article)

Content adjustments: Douyin: Suspense-focused title, bold subtitle emphasis Kuaishou: Emotional/colloquial title, slightly less polished aesthetic Channels: Longer title OK, add Official Account CTA

Rules:

• Wait 24+ hours between platform postings
• Never reference other platforms in title/description
• Share Channels post to Moments immediately after publishing

      

> **[TIP] Chapter Action Checklist:**
> 1. Define your primary target platform based on your audience profile;
> 2. Complete real-name verification and creator identity setup on your chosen platform;
> 3. Study the platform's creator guidelines (available in each platform's Creator Academy);
> 4. Plan your first batch publishing schedule aligned to this chapter's time windows;
> 5. Set up a DOU+/Magnetic Bullet account, deposit ¥100 for your first test campaign.


      
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