Creating and preparing accounts

In the previous article we covered video generation. Now let’s move to the next stage — setting up accounts and preparing the infrastructure to reach an audience abroad.

The main goal is to make the profile look consistent, get used regularly, and show no signs of mass automated activity.

Social networks analyze many signals at once. So an account’s stability doesn’t depend on one specific parameter, but on the combination of settings, user behavior, and content quality.

What signals platforms track

TikTok, Instagram, and Threads can analyze several groups of data:

• device and installed app;
• login history;
• network connection;
• country and interface language;
• in-app activity;
• speed and frequency of actions;
• profile data;
• email and phone number;
• connections to other accounts;
• reports and violations;
• quality of published content.

Problems usually come up when behavior looks inconsistent.

For example: an account is created in one country, appears in another a few hours later, immediately publishes a large batch of videos, mass-follows users, and barely engages with the regular feed.

That kind of activity can be read as automated or spammy.

So it’s better to build up the account in stages:

If you already have an old, active profile with a good history and no violations, you can consider it for growing a new direction. Just don’t abruptly change the topic, language, and style of posts if the existing audience formed around completely different content.

Setting up the device

A modern smartphone that reliably runs current app versions is enough to run an account.

There’s no hard requirement to buy a specific iPhone model. What matters far more is:

• the app working correctly;
• an up-to-date OS version;
• no malware;
• a stable internet connection;
• enough storage;
• a properly working camera;
• the ability to publish content regularly.

A dedicated device is convenient for organizing your workflow. It’s easier to store materials, track notifications, and avoid mixing personal accounts with work ones.

That said, simply owning a new phone does not automatically reduce reach. Platforms don’t publish an exact trust formula, so claims that you must “age” a phone for several months before use should be treated with caution.

How many accounts to run on one device

There is no public universal limit that reliably works across all platforms.

In practice, it’s more convenient to run a small number of profiles, so you can:

• avoid mixing up posts;
• avoid login mistakes;
• avoid uploading the same material to different accounts;
• avoid creating excessively frequent activity;
• reply to comments in time;
• keep track of analytics.

At the start, it makes sense to focus on one account per social network.

Once the process is stable, you can add new profiles — as long as each one has its own concept, content plan, and audience.

Privacy settings

Before you start, check the device and app settings.

On iPhone, you can open these sections:

• “Privacy & Security”;
• “Location Services”;
• “Tracking”;
• “Analytics & Improvements”;
• “Apple Advertising”.

On Android, the exact labels depend on the manufacturer, but you’ll usually find:

• app permission management;
• advertising ID;
• ad personalization;
• location history;
• diagnostics and usage-statistics sharing.

Turn off the permissions the app doesn’t need to function. That said, disabling every single feature does not guarantee better reach.

For instance, location can be used for local recommendations, music, events, and regional content. Choose your settings based on your actual needs and privacy requirements.

Network connection

For stable operation, it’s best to use a consistent, good-quality connection.

Key recommendations:

• don’t switch networks several times a day;
• avoid frequent logins from different countries;
• don’t use overloaded public servers;
• turn on two-factor authentication;
• don’t hand account credentials to a large number of people;
• monitor your list of active sessions;
• end unfamiliar connections.

If a team spread across different countries manages the profile, agree on an access process in advance and use official collaboration tools wherever they’re available.

Masking your location does not guarantee reaching the audience you want. The geography of recommendations also depends on:

• content language;
• on-screen text;
• subtitles;
• music;
• video topic;
• the first viewers;
• engagement;
• posting time;
• the account’s audience history.

So if you’re targeting the US, Germany, Italy, or another country, focus your attention on language, cultural context, and the interests of local users.

Choosing a region

When choosing a market, evaluate:

• audience size;
• level of competition;
• language;
• advertising cost;
• purchasing power;
• monetization restrictions;
• available payout methods;
• popular formats;
• cultural specifics;
• legal requirements.

The “fewer creators, more viewers” principle sometimes helps you find an open lane, but it’s not enough on its own.

A small market may have less competition, but it also has a smaller audience and weaker commercial potential.

It’s better to compare several countries on specific metrics and test content on one primary market.

Registering accounts

Use an email address you have permanent access to for sign-up.

It’s a good idea to:

• set a strong password;
• turn on two-factor authentication;
• add a backup recovery method;
• save backup codes;
• verify the email address;
• avoid disposable email services;
• never hand verification codes to third parties.

Creating extra accounts on YouTube, X, or Snapchat does not, by itself, make an email address more trusted for TikTok or Instagram. Platforms don’t disclose mechanisms like this.

It only makes sense to create linked accounts when you genuinely plan to run them and use them as part of an overall content strategy.

Creating a TikTok account

After signing up:

1. pick a suitable username;
2. write a clear profile description;
3. set a photo or avatar;
4. set the app language;
5. study content in your niche;
6. follow a few relevant creators;
7. prepare your first clips in advance;
8. turn on account protection.

There’s no need to artificially stretch profile setup over several days. What matters is not performing dozens of identical actions in a short period.

If the platform asks for a phone number, use your own number or another legitimate verification method you’ll be able to keep using going forward. Disposable numbers create a risk of losing access to the account.

Creating Instagram and Threads

Instagram and Threads can be linked into a single ecosystem.

When setting up the profile:

• fill in the name and description;
• add a quality avatar;
• pick a suitable category;
• switch to a professional profile if you need advanced analytics;
• connect Threads through Instagram;
• configure security;
• confirm access to the email and phone number.

A professional account can be set up as either Creator or Business.

Creator generally suits bloggers and influencers, while Business suits companies, stores, and brands.

Which profile type to choose depends on the features available in your region, so check the platform’s current terms before switching.

Initial account activity

The so-called “warm-up” period is best understood as a period of naturally getting acquainted with the platform.

There’s no need to mechanically repeat the same set of actions every day. It matters far more to behave consistently:

• watch content in your niche;
• save useful posts;
• follow interesting creators;
• read comments;
• analyze popular videos;
• note which formats do well;
• gradually start publishing your own material.

A sudden burst of mass activity can trigger restrictions regardless of the account’s age.

The first days on TikTok

During the first days, study the recommendations feed and collect references.

Pay attention to:

• the length of popular videos;
• the first seconds of a clip;
• on-screen text;
• editing;
• music;
• comments;
• recurring scripts and formats;
• how often niche leaders post.

You can publish your first videos once the profile is set up and the content is ready.

There’s no mandatory rule to wait 7 or 14 days. Some new accounts get high reach from their very first posts, others grow gradually.

What matters most is audience reaction and clip quality.

The first days on Instagram

Before posting Reels, it helps to set up the profile and post a handful of content pieces:

• a photo;
• a carousel;
• a few stories;
• a short character description;
• pinned posts.

This helps a viewer who arrives from Reels understand the account’s concept.

That said, don’t create dozens of posts all at once. It’s better to put together a cohesive visual profile and publish material gradually.

How the platform tests videos

New clips are usually shown to a limited group of users first, after which the system evaluates the response.

Platforms don’t disclose the exact size of that first sample. So the claim that every clip is always shown to roughly 300 people should not be treated as a universal rule.

Distribution can depend on signals such as:

• retention;
• watch-throughs;
• rewatches;
• skips;
• likes;
• comments;
• saves;
• shares;
• profile visits;
• reports;
• fit with audience interests.

The first seconds really do matter a lot. If a viewer swipes away immediately, further distribution can slow down.

Why reach can stay low

Low numbers don’t always mean hidden restrictions.

First, check the content itself:

• is the opening frame clear;
• is there a reason to watch the clip to the end;
• does the video match the chosen niche;
• is the text readable;
• does the music fit;
• does the action develop fast enough;
• is there an emotional response;
• does the video stand out from others;
• does the clip’s language match the target market.

Problems can also be tied to the account itself:

• rule violations;
• reports;
• frequent deleting and reposting;
• mass actions;
• identical clips posted on several profiles;
• use of copyrighted content;
• unsafe logins;
• losing access to the email or phone number;
• unstable sessions.

In account settings, check for violation notices and post status.

How to tell a content problem from an account problem

Prepare several clips in different formats and post them one after another.

For example:

• a talking-head clip;
• a trend;
• a cosplay clip;
• a short emotional scene;
• a video with a text hook;
• a clip on a popular topic within the niche.

If every video gets a similarly weak result, check the profile setup, account status, and audience quality.

If one format clearly outperforms the rest, the reason is most likely the content itself, not the profile’s technical parameters.

Working with an audience abroad

To reach a foreign market, adapt not just the language but the whole context.

Take into account:

• local memes;
• cultural references;
• time zone;
• date format;
• currency;
• popular brands;
• sporting events;
• music;
• local influencer trends;
• the tone people use in comments.

A plain translation of Russian-language content rarely performs well. You need real localization.

The description, subtitles, visual details, and the character’s behavior all need to feel natural to the chosen audience.

AI-generated content

Platforms are gradually rolling out rules for labeling synthetic and manipulated content.

Before publishing, check the current requirements of TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and other services. In some cases the system can automatically detect the use of generative tools or prompt you to add the relevant label.

Don’t try to hide a clip’s origin by stripping metadata or re-compressing the file. Tricks like that don’t guarantee a change in classification and can degrade image quality.

It’s far more durable to build the project around:

• an original character;
• your own script;
• quality editing;
• clear labeling;
• compliance with platform rules;
• properly licensed source material;
• transparent communication with your audience.

Don’t copy content outright

References are useful for analysis, but directly copying someone else’s clip creates several risks:

• copyright complaints;
• post removal;
• account restrictions;
• weak recognizability;
• dependence on other people’s ideas;
• monetization issues.

Use a source clip as a basis for studying its mechanics:

• what hook it uses;
• how the editing is structured;
• why the viewer keeps watching;
• what emotion it’s built around;
• what drives comments.

Then create your own version with a different storyline, text, visual approach, and character context.

The core principle

Realistic expectations

There is no way to guarantee 5–15 million monthly views for a single model in advance.

Results like that are achievable for some projects, but they depend on:

• production quality;
• posting frequency;
• the chosen market;
• catching trends;
• budget;
• team skill;
• account stability;
• level of competition;
• lucky experiments.

It’s more realistic to set goals in stages:

1. get to a stable posting rhythm;
2. find a working format;
3. improve retention;
4. get your first profile visits;
5. build a core audience;
6. scale up what works;
7. test monetization methods.

In the next article, we’ll cover growing your social media presence: finding trends, building a content strategy, and ways to systematically increase reach.

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*Instagram and Threads are owned by Meta, a company that is banned in Russia.