Tik tok growth non existent?

So I made a video saw something called promote? Used it to test had like 12k views then the next video I posted I didn’t use it and had 100 views? But it was a similar video. So basically all tik tok is now is a place where they use people for money in order for you to gain any traction? I did everything right with the other post hashtags timing etc but nothing? How do people even blow up on tik tok organically anymore! I’m at a loss