TikTok Drama vs. Educational Content: The Algorithm's Dilemma

TikTok's Algorithm and Content Strategy: A Case Study of Apparel Educator Mallory Brooks Mallory Brooks, a US-based apparel educator and TikTok influencer (@plzdontbuythat), recently addressed a viewer comment criticizing her content as being solely focused on drama. In a video posted on May 29th, 2025, Brooks clarified that while she does participate in occasional drama videos with other creators, this only represents a small fraction of her overall content. "The drama stuff does tend to get more views," she admitted, highlighting the algorithm's preference for engagement. The majority of her content, she explained, focuses on educational videos about fabrics and garment construction, along with personal vlogs about her life as a single mother. This highlights a key challenge for content creators on platforms like TikTok: balancing audience engagement with maintaining a consistent brand identity and producing diverse content. Brooks's experience offers a valuable insight into how the platform's algorithm rewards engagement, potentially influencing creators to prioritize certain types of content over others. Ultimately, her video underscores the complex relationship between content creators, algorithms, and audience preferences.