TikTok Takeover: Why TikTok is exploding in popularity

TikTok has been downloaded more than two billion times globally, with over a billion active users. It is available in 155 countries and in 75 languages.

There's no doubt that TikTok is one of the hottest new social media platforms on the scene. In just a few short years, the app has gone from being unknown to having over a billion active users. So, what is it about TikTok that has made it so popular?

The TikToks Algorithm

How this AI sifts through content to show you what it thinks you'll like - is a big part of the answer. The algorithm is designed to keep users engaged on the app for as long as possible, and it does this by showing them a never-ending scroll of short videos that are algorithmically determined to be interesting or entertaining.

TikToks algorithm is different from those that has come before it. On apps and social media sites like Snapchat, Instagram and Twitter they are centred around showing people their friends, networks of people and groups/businesses that a person follows and engages with. These social media are built around what is known as a “social graph”, which is a map of all the connections between people.

TikTok, on the other hand, has what is known as an “interest graph”. This means that rather than being based around who you know, it is based around what you are interested in. The algorithm sifts through content and shows you videos that it thinks you will like. The AI considers how long you view a video, comments and share, and what the video is about. TikTok can do this so accurately because videos take up the entire screen, so there are no other distractions.

The algorithm is designed to keep users engaged on the app for as long as possible, and it does this by showing them a never-ending scroll of short videos that are algorithmically determined to be interesting or entertaining. The result is an addictive experience that has people coming back for more.

The algorithm is so effective that users spend an average of 52 minutes on the app each day. That’s more time than people spend on Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram.

The Power of the Gen Z User Base

Another big factor in TikToks success is its user base. The app is extremely popular with Gen Z, who make up a large portion of its active users. This is significant because Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with social media as a part of their everyday lives.

They are also the most diverse and open-minded generation, which is likely why they have taken to TikTok so quickly. The app provides a space for them to be creative, express themselves and connect with others who share their interests.

Being a generation that is so comfortable with social media, Gen Z is also quick to adopt new platforms and trends. TikTok has been able to capitalise on this by being one of the first social media apps to really focus on short-form, mobile-friendly content, that anyone can easily make.

Not only does it focus on short form content, it also makes it easy to edit and add filters, music and effects to videos for users to create short term content. This means that users can create engaging content without any prior experience or knowledge of video editing. The result is a platform that is full of creative, original content that is unlike anything else out there - because everyone is using TikTok to create content in their own unique way.

But, isn't TikTok just a dancing app?

The app has been accused of being a “dancing app”, but that’s not the whole story. Yes, there are a lot of videos of people dancing, but there is also a wide range of other content. There are cooking videos, makeup tutorials, pranks, challenges and more.

Fewer people are getting their news from traditional sources such as television and newspapers, and more people are turning to social media for their news. This is especially true for Gen Z, who are the most active users of social media. For millions of people across the planet, TikTok is now the prime place for news - whether that be from profiles set up from the BBC, CNN or other news organisations, or from everyday users who are posting videos about current events in their local communities.

The app has also been used to raise awareness of social and political issues, with many users using the platform to post videos about things that matter to them. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has been used millions of times on TikTok, and the app has become a space for people to educate others and start important conversations. When users can find news and information that is relevant to them, all in one place, it’s no wonder the app is so popular.

The 'Dark Side' of TikTok

Like any social media platform, TikTok has its fair share of problems. With headlines like 'TikTok May Be More Dangerous Than It Looks', 'How Pro-Eating-Disorder Videos Reach Teens on TikTok' and 'TikTok Faces Algorithm Related Lawsuit After Child Dies From Viral ‘Blackout’ Challenge' it's no wonder people are concerned about the app.

The biggest concern seems to be for users, especially young users, who are impressionable and can be easily influenced by the content they see on the app. Because TikTok is so popular with Gen Z, there is a worry that children and teenagers are being exposed to harmful content. The founder of Protect Young Eyes described the app as 'toxic'.

This concern for young users isn't without merit. According to a study by child protection charity Thorn, around half of American children between the ages of 9 and 17 use the app at least once a month. According to eMarketer, 400,000 British children aged 11 and younger are on TikTok, with 7.1 million children aged 12-24 on the app as well.

This is a huge number of young people who are using the app, and it's important that they are aware of the potential dangers. While TikTok does have some age-restricted content, such as videos with swearing or violence, this isn't enough to protect young users.

There are also concerns about data privacy, as TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance. This has led to some countries, like India and the US, raising national security concerns over the app. As a result, TikTok was banned in India earlier this year and there is currently an ongoing investigation into the app in the US.

So, there you have it! The answer to the question 'Why is TikTok so popular?' lies in its algorithm and creative content. With a personalized experience and original videos, it's no wonder the app is taking over the social media world. As a new app TikTok does have some flaws, but only time will tell if these will be fixed.