TikTok algorithm showing old videos on FYP today? You aren't alone

TikTok is essentially a time machine right now and not in the way that makes you feel nostalgic. If your feed is currently a graveyard of posts you liked two months ago, you aren’t alone.

It seems like hundreds of users are reporting that their For You Page is stuck in a loop of recycled content. Affected individuals say they’re seeing posts from October and November popping up as if they were uploaded five minutes ago. This isn’t just a few stray videos.

Users on Reddit are describing feeds that are completely filled with videos they’ve already watched or even reposted weeks ago.

Some are even noting that their normally politically active, news-focused feeds have suddenly switched to random videos that have nothing to do with their interests, and a barrage of gambling ads. The shift was so dramatic that many suspect this isn’t just a typical glitch.

People in the threads are connecting the dots to TikTok’s recent ownership deal. The platform recently signed binding agreements with Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX to form a new US joint venture. While the deal isn’t expected to officially close until January 22, the work to transition US operations could be the reason behind the issues. At least that’s what some users suggest, but we’d take this with a grain of salt.

There is also plenty of chatter on Reddit suggesting that the algorithm is being manipulated to suppress news about President Donald Trump or recent events involving Lake Michigan. But again, it’s nothing more than baseless rumors at this point.

Don’t bother clearing your cache or reinstalling the app. I’ve seen enough of these algorithm hiccups pop up now and then to know this is a server-side failure.

No amount of standard troubleshooting on your phone is going to fix a broken recommendation engine on TikTok’s end. It’s a backend glitch that requires a fix from the engineers, not a settings tweak from you.

I’m hoping this is just a temporary technical snag. We’ve seen the algorithm struggle before, but it usually recovers within a few days. If you’re curious about the mechanics, we have a full breakdown of the reasons why TikTok ‘For You’ page sometimes shows old videos on our sister site, Tech Issues Today.

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