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Yopie Widianto Prabowo
Yopie Widianto Prabowo

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How I Finally Reached a US TikTok Audience from Outside the Country

When I first tried to grow a TikTok audience in the US from outside the country, I ran into a bunch of frustrating roadblocks. The app is very region-sensitive, so even if you post in English and target US hashtags, TikTok often just shows your content to people in your local region. I experimented with VPNs, but quickly realized that while they help with viewing US content, they don’t always trick TikTok’s posting algorithm. It can still detect your SIM card or local signals, which means your videos might stay “stuck” in the wrong region. Some creators even end up thinking they’re shadowbanned, when in reality it’s just TikTok’s regional distribution system at play.

I tried a few of the common tricks—like swapping SIM cards, using US-based proxies, even tweaking my phone’s time zone—but most of those methods were inconsistent and sometimes even got my engagement throttled further. What finally worked for me was finding a tool that bypasses these issues more cleanly. I recently tried TokPortal and it worked better than anything else I had used. It let me push my content toward the US audience without the constant hassle of switching devices or juggling SIM cards.

If you’re outside the US and serious about reaching viewers there, just know you’re not alone—it’s a common struggle for creators. TikTok’s algorithm is powerful, but it can be frustrating when your content is locked to one country. My advice is to avoid shady hacks that risk account bans, and instead use tools or strategies that are built for this exact purpose. It makes the whole process less stressful and gives your videos a real shot at reaching the audience you’re aiming for.

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