When TikTok burst onto the social media scene back in 2018, it was impossible to predict what a dominating force it would become. But what is TikTok, exactly?
Today, with over 2 billion downloads globally (and counting!), TikTok is the world’s seventh-most popular social platform, but because it’s the app of choice for the hyper-influential Gen Z, it’s got an outsized influence on the cultural zeitgeist. TikTok is to thank (or blame, depending on your perspective) for culinary trends, a new wave of famous dogs, 2000s nostalgia, and Addison Rae’s acting career.
In other words? It’s a force to be reckoned with — and one that’s constantly evolving.
TikTok recently increased the maximum video length from one minute to ten minutes, which has proved to be a smash hit: TikTok videos over a minute long have received more than 5 billion views globally in total. (Fun facts: according to TikTok, “Longer videos are most popular in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan while TikTok users in the US, UK, and Brazil engage with longer videos the most.”)
Not only is TikTok experimenting with longer content, it’s also experimenting with larger content. Among TikTok’s other recent innovations? TikTok TV, an app for SmartTVs that puts TikTok videos into a big-screen context so the whole family can enjoy someone trying to clean his car with a leaf blower from the comfort of the sofa.
Meanwhile, beta-testing for TikTok Shopping is in full swing (hot on the tail of Instagram Shops), allowing select brands to sell directly through their TikTok accounts.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves: all these updates don’t mean much if you don’t know what TikTok is in the first place. So let’s apply a metaphorical reverse effect and get back to the basics, shall we? Your crash course to TikTok begins…. now!
What is TikTok?
TikTok is a social media app centered around short-form videos.
In some ways it’s a bite-size version of YouTube, with videos ranging between five and 120 seconds in length. TikTok calls itself “the leading destination for short-form mobile videos” with a mission to “inspire creativity and bring joy.”
(Audacious! We love to see it.)
@allieent Questions I would love to ask Tony Hawk #tonyhawk #tonyhawkproskater #vancouver #thrasherskatemag
Creators have access to an assortment of filters and effects, as well as a massive music library.
Tracks on TikTok have high meme potential, and it’s turned the app into something of a hitmaker.
Lil Nas X’s jam “Old Town Road” is the best example of this. While lassoing some near 67 million plays on TikTok, the single trotted to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for a record-setting 17 weeks.
Critically, TikTok makes content discovery central to its experience. The For You Page delivers a bottomless stream of videos curated by the TikTok algorithm. The video feed plays the minute the app opens, instantly sucking viewers in.
While users can follow their favorite creators, they don’t have to for the feed to be filled automatically with curated clips. It’s a bottomless buffet of content.
No wonder 70% of users spend an hour or more on the app every week. Can’t stop, won’t stop!
What is a TikTok account?
A TikTok account allows you to log in to the TikTok app to create and share short-form videos using filters, effects, and music clips.
Earn enough attention and engagement, and you could be eligible for TikTok’s creator fund one day. (Cue up a “Show me the money!” sound clip for when the time comes.)
If you need some help getting started, here’s our beginners guide to making TikTok videos. Please don’t forget about us when you’re TikTok famous.
Logged in with your TikTok account, you’ll be able to interact with other users’ videos, by commenting, sharing, and liking content. You can also follow other creators to see more from them on the For You Page.
Your behavior as you use your account will impact the TikTok algorithm, dictating what kinds of videos from other users pop up on your For You Page.
Searching for “cute dogs vids”? Commenting on content tagged with #skateboarddads? You’ll start to see more of the same in your feed.
TikTok vs. Musical.ly
A little history lesson: TikTok is the international version of China’s Douyin app, which was launched by ByteDance back in 2016 as a short-form video social media platform.
Also in the market at the time was another Chinese short-form video tool, Musically, which was thriving thanks to a fun library of filters and effects. Between its launch in 2014 and 2017, Musical.ly managed to amass more than 200 million users, with a strong foothold in the U.S.
ByteDance acquired the company later that year to merge with TikTok and create one short-form video superstar app to rule them all.
RIP, Musical.ly; long live TikTok.
What is the most liked video on TikTok?
TikTok is an app where new creators and surprising content can go viral, thanks to an algorithm that promotes discovery and fosters a universe of unique challenges and trends.
At the time of writing, a lip-synching video by creator Bella Poarch holds the title of Most Liked Video. Posted back in August 2020, earned 55.8 million likes.
@bellapoarch To the 🐝 🐝 🐝 #fyp
On a platform with millions of videos of fresh-faced people mugging for the camera to music, why did this particular video pop off?
It’s impossible to say for sure, but the combination of a pretty face, impressive tongue-twisting lyrics, and hypnotic camera tracking sure caught users’ attention.
Bella parlayed this fame into a whole career as a TikTok star, with 88 million followers and a record deal. Not a bad outcome from a 12 second clip of someone bored and goofing around at home.
The second-most popular TikTok video is a montage from artist fedziownik_art, with a jaw-dropping 49.3 million likes. Van Gogh would’ve given his other ear for that kind of exposure.
@fredziownik_art 😳This is one of my best drawings #dlaciebie #tiktokart #drawing #fyp
The content of other most-liked videos ranges wildly, from dancing to comedy to animals, but what most have in common is that they’re fun, memorable, and engaging.
Study up on what it takes to become TikTok famous here.
How does TikTok work?
TikTok serves up a medley of personalized videos to each user via their For You Page: a mix of videos from accounts you follow and other content they think will appeal to you.
It’s a grab bag — one that’s usually full of Doja Cat. Here’s how to get involved.
What can you do on TikTok?
Watch and create videos: Videos are central to the TikTok experience. They can be uploaded or created in-app with stop and start recording, timers, and other tools.
Live streaming is also an option. Users can add visual filters, time effects, split screens, green screens, transitions, stickers, GIFs, emoji, and much more.
Add Music: TikTok’s extensive music library and integration with Apple Music is where the app edges out all other social platforms. Creators can add, remix, save, and discover songs and sounds via playlists, videos, and more.
Interact: TikTok users can follow accounts they like, and give hearts, gifts, comments or shares on videos they enjoy. Videos, hashtags, sounds, and effects can be added to a user’s Favorites section.
Discover: The Discover feed is all about hashtags, but users can also search for keywords, users, videos, and sound effects. People can add friends by searching their username, or scanning their unique TikCode.
Explore profiles: TikTok profiles show a tally of follows and followers, as well as an overall total of the number of hearts a user has received. As on Twitter and Instagram, official accounts are given blue checkmarks.
Spend virtual coins: Coins can be used to give Virtual Gifts on TikTok. When a user buys them, they can convert them into diamonds or emoji. Diamonds can be exchanged for cash.
How do people typically use TikTok?
Dancing and lip-synching: Since TikTok was born from the DNA of Musical.ly (you did just read the history of TikTok above, right?) it’s no surprise that musical activities like lip-synching and dancing are huge on the platform.
@audaamar I will dance until there is 1M 🙏🏻 Я буду танцевать, пока не будет 1М 🍋
TikTok Trends: Also known as TikTok Challenges, these memes typically involve a popular song or hashtag. Trending songs and tags like #ButHaveYouSeen and #HowToAdult act as prompts for users to attempt dance moves or create their own variation on a theme.
TikTok Duets: Duets are a popular collaborative feature on TikTok that allows users to sample another person’s video and add themselves to it. Duets can range from genuine collabs, remixes, spoofs, and more. Artists like Lizzo, Camila Cabello, and Tove Lo have used the format to promo singles and connect with fans.
@gordonramsayofficial #duet with @thatveganteacher Beef #burgers were consumed while making this tiktok #ramsayreacts #fyp
Green Screen effects: Though TikTok features a huge selection of filters and effects, one of the most-used tool is the green screen. This effect makes it easy to place yourself in an exotic setting or share your hot take in front of a relevant image. Dive into our guide to editing TikTok videos here for details on trying this trick for yourself.
@sarahramosfanclub It’s Totally Raining Teens Part 2 #greenscreen
TikTok Stitching: TikTok’s Stitch tool allows you to copy and add on to other users’ videos (if they have Stitching enabled, of course). This function lends itself to reaction videos or responses — just another way TikTok fosters conversation via content creation.
What are some unique ways that people use TikTok?
The quick-and-easy editing features and interactive nature of TikTok create prime conditions for creativity, and as a result, the app has been used in countless ways that the developers themselves could’ve never imagined (though “Ratatouille the Crowd-Sourced Musical” does sort of feel like it’s a fever dream, no?)
Collaborations: The Duet feature allows users to remix and respond to each others’ content — which can lead to surprisingly delightful collaborations like sea shanties or the production of a digital Broadway show.
@tomrosenthalmusic #duet with @sguerraandre here’s me getting involved with sea shanty Tiktok
Creative editing: TikTok easily allows you to combine multiple clips, making multi-scene stories (even short-and-sweet ones) a breeze, and offering the opportunity to get creative with transitions, smash cuts, and effects. Take a peek at our list of creative TikTok video ideas here to get the wheels turning.
@mattchessco I hope she sees this @avani #fingersnap #jonasbluefingersnap #art #foryou
Getting interactive: Using the TikTok live stream feature to broadcast in real time is a surefire way to engage with your followers. Give ‘em something to talk about as the thrill of anything-could-happen live video fills their feed… like the time cup-maker Mrs. Dutchie accidentally used dark glitter instead of light glitter.
(Talk about breaking the internet!)
But even in a regular, pre-recorded TikTok post, hosting a Q&A or responding to FAQs is a great way to show your fan club you care.
TikTok demographics: who uses TikTok?
More than 160 million hours of video are watched on TikTok in any given minute of the day… but who is actually making and viewing this content?
Of the more than 884 million people who are active on TikTok, 57% are female, while 43% are male.
There are 130 million U.S. users over age 18. The second highest adult population of Instagram users is Indonesia (92 million users), with Brazil coming in third (74 million).
The majority of the TikTok audience is Gen Z, with 42% of the audience aged 18 to 24 years old. (The second-biggest generational cohort on the platform? Millennials, accounting for 31% of users.)
Click here for more fascinating TikTok statistics that marketers need to know in 2022.
How to use TikTok for business
TikTok is the hot place to be for brands of all stripes. You’ll find everyone from Oreo to ASOS on TikTok these days… and even old-school names like Le Creuset are getting in on the game.
@theoreoofficial @therealsourpatchkids really tried stealing our spotlight #oreo #oreocookies #oreotok #birthday @theofficialchipsahoy @officialnutterbutter @theritzcrackersofficial @therealtridentgum
Pop over to our guide to TikTok for businesses to learn how to set up your own business account, and then try out these strategies for optimizing the potential of the platform.
Get to know the app
Before you can thrive on TikTok, you’ve gotta understand it. Spend some serious time on the For You Page to learn what other people and brands are doing, and familiarize yourself with the editing features and effects so you can hit the ground running.
(Psst: we’ve got a primer on TikTok video editing right here to get you started.)
Get to know your TikTok audience
Before you can execute a winning TikTok strategy, you’re going to need to know who exactly you’re talking to. See our breakdown of TikTok’s user demographics above, and then explore your own TikTok analytics to see just who is following you, so you can adjust your content, tone, and goals accordingly.
Weigh in on trending topics
While originality is always a good thing, the TikTok algorithm rewards accounts that tap into trending topics, so it pays to pay attention. Using trending sounds can allegedly help your reach, too (at least that was the conclusion we came to in our 7-second video experiment). Hop on that bandwagon! Share your #dailyroutine, just like Mango the seal does here!
@oceanconnections Ever wonder what Mango’s morning routine is? #oceanconnections #nonreleasable #YesDayChallenge #dailyroutine #fyp #mango #sealtok
Go live!
Experiment with TikTok live streams for a chance to show off just how authentic your brand is: try streaming a Q&A, host a live shopping event, or build some buzz around a new product launch. Here’s our step-by-step guide to going live on TikTok.
Get creative
The short-form, quick-and-dirty vibe of TikTok makes it ideal for experimentation. Play around with editing tools and trending sounds to create high-energy short-form videos that represent your business.
Create a branded hashtag challenge
So far, branded hashtag challenges seem to be the most popular approach for brands on TikTok. Several musicians and companies like the NFL, Sunsilk, and Universal Pictures have run campaigns. Even TurboTax is getting in on the action.
These campaigns encourage users to create videos around a specific hashtag, often using a specific song or set of dance moves.
Partner with influencers
A lot of brands have teamed up with influencers to promote hashtag challenges, or simply to promote products. TikTok even provides lists of potential creators to brands.
@karencassssss #ad ✨Link in Bio!✨ 💤 @pluto #ad #sponsored #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #mom #asmr #tiktokcomedy
Invest in advertising
All of these organic options can lead to success… but obviously, nothing is ever guaranteed. (Social media is more of an art than a science, you know?) If you’ve got a little budget to work with, TikTok offers a variety of advertising options, from promoted videos to branded lenses to brand takeover ads. TikTok also introduced custom sound partnerships this year, so brands can develop bespoke tracks.
Congrats on making it through TikTok 101! Toss that cap in the air (just make sure to record it and apply a cool trending song to really make the moment pop). Ready to further your education? Dig into our full library of TikTok how-to guides and experiments over on the Hootsuite blog.
Set up a TikTok Shop
Do you have a Shopify store? Consider setting up a TiKTok shop to promote and sell your products.
With TikTok Shopping, you can add a shopping tab to your TikTok profile. The tab will pull products from your Shopify product catalogs, allowing other TikTok users to browse products without leaving the app and easily navigate to the creators’ online stores for checkout.
If you have a TikTok store, you can also tag products in your regular TikTok posts using dedicated product links.