Why can small accounts get big views on Reels and Shorts?
Short answer
Because both platforms recommend videos based on how viewers react, not only on who follows the account. A video people watch gets shown to more people.
When a short is posted, it is shown to a small group. If they watch, rewatch or share, the platform shows it to a bigger group, and so on. Followers help with the first push, but they are not required for the rest.
This is why follower count is a weak signal for short video. A strong edit from a small account can outperform a weak one from a large account.
Pomera pays publishers per verified view for this reason. See why Pomera does not pay per follower.