Blog #6: Why is TikTok so popular?
By: Saul Arias
Tiktok is an application that was released in September of 2016 and is a video-sharing social networking service owned by Chinese company ByteDance. It was the predecessor of a previous app of the same concept named Musical.ly which had been shutdown prior to the release of TikTok.
Although TikTok was released in 2016 it had not begun to get traction around two years later in 2018 when people began to use the app. At first, the app was used to lip sync and dance to songs and not much else but as time progressed people began using the app to create other forms of entertainment. These included comedy, food videos, satire, and many others.
A reason I think that many teenagers and young adults such as myself and my peers are drawn towards this app is because it provides quick bursts of entertainment and something new with every swipe. Since the app is limited to one minute videos it allows the user to watch them and obtain all the information the video has to give in a short amount of time so they don’t end up getting bored.
What do you think sets this social media platform apart from the others?
Saul, very interesting subject! I would like to add to the mix the topic of the pandemic. I know the site has been around a while (as you mention), but this past year has really seen a HUGE influx of new users--especially in older age groups like 30+. I know that I got hooked this summer to escape boredom and seek out those 'bursts' of entertainment, as you say.
ReplyDeleteI really like the more educational/instructional side of the app. I know it gets a reputation for kids dancing with their hands ;) Still, there's so much more to TikTok. We're always looking for the next best thing, and this app provides a slightly different 'experience' than the others. I wonder what will come next, though...
A lot of people enjoy this app because they wanted an app that could fill the void that went black when Vine died. The age demographic of viewers and creators are those that enjoyed that app heavily. There obviously is a lot of differences with the apps, but it still has the same feel. The new people on the app do the dancing videos, I haven’t seen a dancing video since I’ve had the app because it’s not for me. I think that is why a lot of people like this app, because your “for you page” is literally for you. I get a lot of comedy, some skits, clips from movies, television, YouTube. Along with drama that you wouldn’t think you needed to know but its just enough to keep you in the loop of things. With the start of the pandemic and with everyone being at home it was a way for them to communicate, spread the message of staying safe, and escapism. For months, my screen time for TikTok would be 30+ hours a week because there was nothing else to do. Now that school has started and just finding was to get out of the house, my screen time dropped to one hour a week. It is also reaching the older generation, my father has been on the app for sometime and we were talking about it last night that it there and so you can scroll aimlessly and then realize you’ve been on it and its 3 o’clock in the morning. I don't think that there could be an app that replaces it and that it'll take a while for it to die.
ReplyDeleteThe reasoning on why TikTok is different from the other social media platforms is because TikTok is always bringing new videos filled with comedy, information, and entertainment into your "for you page". The videos help others become informed and safe within the TikTok community. TikTok is also a good way to promote small businesses especially during the pandemic. Overall, TikTok focuses more on videos that keep up with comedy, news, and explorations rather than looking at pictures or selfies like other social media platforms. It is a good way to become inspired and relaxed.
ReplyDelete-Natalie Munoz
I agree with your statement about why tiktok is so popular. I believe it’s an app that has had much of an influence on its users because it has taught us so much. Tiktok has allowed many cultures and people to connect to each other. We are allowed to see each other in our personal lives and see how we are all so similar. This app has changed a lot of how the word works nowadays from the way news can travel so fast.
ReplyDeleteTikTok has set itself apart from other platforms because of all the sides it has to it. Besides entertainment, you can learn so much from fashion to personal care, to cooking, to business, etc. there's so much on there for you to learn and the fact that it is one minute videos makes it quick and easy to learn new information. Its used by people of nearly all ages because of the stuff you can learn and how you can learn it in an abrupt manner. Using the app is also a way to relax and put yourself at ease, because every swipe is something new. It grabs your attention which is great for people who want to clear their minds of anything else.
ReplyDelete-Ikenna Onyegbule
I think that it gained so much traction because it was already a tried and tested method. Vine was the innovator of short comedy or singing videos, but they failed as a company because they could not properly monetize their idea. Tik Tok essentially copied their platform while updated their business model in order to grow and make more money. Another reason that it is so popular is because of the amount of time and science the creators put into the app. They made a very effective algorithm that can make people borderline addicted to the app and just showing ads every few minutes can net them millions and hour most likely.
ReplyDelete-Sean Lynch
I think TikTok gained a lot of popularity because of the fact there something new everytime you go onto the app yourself. This can range from a new dance move, a new food or some type fact/information that you can. Since quarantine started, a lot of people downloaded the app to deal with the boredom of staying inside and connected with new people or friends and family on the app itself. Recently, a close friend of mine has been watching a little bit of astrology on her "for you page" and sometimes poetry. I also recently discovered some mangas on the app that I never heard of before.
ReplyDelete~Rameek J Blake
I really liked that you included that TikTok videos can't be more than 60 seconds. I think that plays a big role in why the app is so popular. If the videos were able to be longer(like Instagram Reels and IGTV) I don't think the app would be as popular as it is today. We live in a fast paced society, we want fast paced entertainment!
ReplyDelete-Brianna Torres
I think one of the main reasons as to why TikTok has become so popular over the past year and a half is because of how relatable it is for teens in today's society. The videos that you see on the app are filtered to your interests on the "For you Page," which is why it's so popular among everyone and all interests. Also, like you said, the videos have a time limit of one minute which makes it so much easier to spend so much time on the app.
ReplyDelete- Olivia Reina
I believe tik tok is popular because of there "for you page" it is an algorithm based structure that allows the user to view content to there liking. The more videos you like the more the app pushes similar videos. Two people can have two completely different for you pages and not view the same videos. We as teens always have an app the becomes viral out of no where. An example of this is vine from 8 years ago which blows my mind that its that old.
ReplyDeleteTiktok is unique from the other social media apps because of its simple purpose of allowing anyone to upload and share quick little videos of entertainment across the world.
ReplyDelete-Franco Jimenez
I love Tik Tok and I recently started watching and being active on the app recently. It kinda reminds me Vine but's most similar to Musically. I think it's a perfect mix between the two. I think it became more popular due to the quarantine and people having nothing to do at home during those times. The app is full of trends, new music, informational vids and much more. I really find it useful.
ReplyDelete-Jessica Mongare
I personally think the reason because anyone can do anything on the platform and get famous off of it, but there's also a downside to it. Because anything is allowed on the platform there have been many allegations of people CP on the platform, and catching it unlike many other media sites. in the continuously need or creators to post everyday to be up-to-date is exhausting.
ReplyDelete-Kemi Akanle
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