TikTok is a video-sharing social media app. The Beijing-based app allows users to take, edit, and share 15-second videos that have filters, music, animation, special effects, and many more. Just like a host of other social media apps, users of this app can like, follow, and comment on every video.
Users can respond to videos they find by filming their responses with the original video; or duet. The social media app is compatible with iOS and Android operating systems. The great thing about this app is that it gives users creative control over their video content.
With TikTok, users can also share and discover short music videos. You can call it modern-day Karaoke! As a user, you can express yourself by singing, dancing, comedy, and lip-syncing.
This social media application also has a For You feed that showcases a long list of personalized video recommendations. These videos are chosen according to the preference of viewers.
How did TikTok grow so popular?
This social media app has been growing tremendously since it was launched in 2017. In October last year, it became the most-downloaded video and photo apps in the Apple store, on a worldwide scale. At that time, the app was reported to have garnered over 500 million monthly active users. Most of TikTok users during that time were mainly from the United States, with over 80 million downloads.
How TikTok works:
- The first thing you should realise is that the app is available for people aged 13 and over. Just like other age-restricted platforms, parents should make sure their kids are of the appropriate age to use the TikTok app.
- Once you download the app, you can proceed to create your own videos or watch other content created users.
- Also, know that the videos are of varying topics and niche, including food, comedy, pets, arts, sports, travel, music, as well as games. Once users like the videos they enjoy, theyll automatically begin to see similar or related videos.
- Besides, everyone can participate in hash tag challenges. All you need to do is to click the Discover button, and youll find fresh challenges that are updated every week.
- You may think that creating videos on this app is complicated, but thats far from it. Its pretty simple, and you have a wide range of effects, stickers, and filters to opt for.
- Users of this fun app have the liberty to share their content on other social platforms, like Facebook or Instagram.
Why Do Youngsters Love it?
The answer is quite straightforward. TikTok is a fun app that allows teens to create and share videos with their followers and friends.
Moreover, lip-syncing has always found favor among teens. Since the baby days of social media, especially on YouTube, lip-syncing videos have long become a popular form of user-generated content among the young generations. This led to the popularity of shows like the Lip Sync Battle, which also contributed to the increasing interest of this app.
Moreover, teenagers love competing in the various challenges available on the app. One can enter these challenges with the help of trending and top hash tags on the social media app. The video posting and sharing platform have a dedicated, young community of users.
Their commitment is so genuine that many of these users have prioritized gaining likes, acquiring numerous followers, and getting their posts featured on the app. All these show that with TikTok, teens are slowly moving from online views to content creators. It has also given youngsters a fun platform to express themselves.
What makes TikTok unique?
The fact that the social media app allows people to post and share videos is no strange thing on the internet. However, there are some unique underlying attributes that the Chinese-owned app posses.
Per ByteDance’s website, it’s “one of the first companies to launch mobile-first products powered by machine learning technology.” ByteDance is the owner of this fun app. The company also shared that the application was created in a bid to incorporate the capabilities of artificial intelligence and the rapid growth of mobile internet to revolutionize how people accept and consume information.
How does this AI incorporation work? The owners of TikTok have utilized different forms of artificial intelligence. One of such instances is the use of facial recognition for filters. The application also makes useful and customized recommendations for its users.
Is it possible to earn money on TikTok?
Of course, it is. But this does not happen like Instagram, where influencers can earn so much money. So how does monetization work? To do this, you have to monetize your live stream. Users of the application can fill in their credit card details to buy emoji for their best live-streamers. These live streamers can later convert those emoji rewards to cash.
