TikTok has taken the world by storm in recent years, and it’s not hard to understand why. With over one billion active users, the viral video-centric social media app has been a hit with viewers and creators for many reasons.
Why is TikTok good, exactly? We will go over all of the ways TikTok has helped people across all age demographics, interests, and occupations. The tremendous impact this platform has requires a closer look to understand what attracts people to keep coming back.
Why Is TikTok Good?
Whether you have a brand and are looking to leverage TikTok to make money, or are someone who is looking to enjoy quality content, you will be pleased to hear there are many reasons why you should be using TikTok.
Viral Challenges
TikTok became immensely popular at first due to dance challenges taking off on the app. The beauty of TikTok lies in the fact that anyone can start an account with zero followers and see one of their videos blow up overnight to a million views or more. A lot of this is due to viral challenges getting picked up and amplified by the app’s highly-sophisticated algorithm.
What is a TikTok challenge? Here’s how it works:
- A TikTok user creates a unique challenge video that becomes popular on the app
- Other creators start making their own videos related to the challenge
- Duets and Stitches are made by creators collaborating with one another, further magnifying the viral and popular nature of the challenge
Whether you have a dance, comedy duet, or some other challenge you want to create a video for, you are bound to enjoy plenty of views and a high engagement rate.
Helpful Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm is designed so that going viral is much easier than on competing platforms. Likes, views, comments, and shares are all taken into account to determine how much the algorithm will push someone’s content. The higher quality your content, the more the algorithm will help you.
Whether you are just starting out on TikTok or have been on the platform for a while, the app’s algorithm will net you a higher engagement rate than you are used to on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Getting in good with the algorithm helps as well, which means jumping in on viral and popular challenges.
Greater Awareness of Social Issues
Given that TikTok is a place where people from all walks of life and from around the world share their experiences, being on the app helps broaden your horizons. Many social issues that creators are vocal about help spread awareness.
If you are on TikTok, you will become aware of issues you may not have even known were being experienced by people. It will help you develop greater understanding and empathy for those suffering injustices, constraints, or calamities. Becoming exposed to experiences from different backgrounds helps us mature as humans by seeing things from different perspectives.
Greater Sense of Community
Although over a billion people use TikTok, you can feel included when you’re on the platform. This is thanks to communities forming within TikTok based around specific interests. As you connect with others, you will see more people from communities you are in following you and engaging with your content.
The best way to become part of a community on TikTok is to engage with content revolving around specific topics. You can also create your own content on these topics and use specific hashtags popular within that community. Before long, you will have formed close bonds with a community you feel aligned with.
Quality Content for All Ages
You are allowed to use TikTok if you are 13 years old or older. This has led to teens and adults of all ages using and enjoying the platform. Content that interests specific age groups and generations is abundantly available.
While 60% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24 years old and 80% are between 16 and 34, there are also older users. TikTok has traditionally been adopted more by younger people, so most content appeals to them. However, seniors are also on the platform enjoying content relevant to their interests.
Powerful Search Engine
Most people don’t immediately think of TikTok as a search engine, yet it is one of the most popular search engines today for videos. Nearly half of Gen Z users are using TikTok instead of Google for their search needs. This underscores the app’s popularity as a search engine.
Although Google and other search engines will always have their place, TikTok’s role as a search engine means creators should optimize their videos for search engine optimization (SEO) to gain greater discoverability.
Ecommerce Powerhouse
Businesses have a major presence on TikTok because of the ease of reaching their target market. Users regularly discover new products that spur purchases after viewing appealing TikTok videos. Viral hashtags like #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt showcase impressive products and garner billions of views every month.
TikTok Shop, the app’s built-in marketplace, primarily focuses on apparel and beauty products but is growing fast, generating tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. This shows TikTok is becoming a go-to app not only for social media video content but also eCommerce, search engine use, and more. Influencers collaborating with eCommerce brands further boost sales, creating a win-win for creators and businesses.
Brands Express Their Creativity
TikTok videos are expected to be creative, light, entertaining, and uniquely creative. Adding comedy into content has proven effective for attracting followers and increasing engagement with branded content.
Humans value authenticity and connection. Brands can achieve both on TikTok, helping users feel connected and eventually become paying customers. Short-form video content done creatively helps brands stand out in a crowded field.
Increasingly Popular Social Media Platform
Since its inception in 2016, TikTok has grown significantly and continues to do so. It boasts nearly 5 billion downloads on Apple and Android app stores—an impressive feat compared to other apps like Snapchat and Twitter. Short-form video content dominates social media, so TikTok’s rise is unsurprising.
Some perspective:
- Adults in the US spend collectively 73.8 million hours on TikTok annually
- TikTok users are almost 1.5x more likely to purchase new technology products within six months
- Approximately 40% of US adults use TikTok as a search engine, with Gen Z leading this use-case
- TikTok is regularly one of the top 3 most downloaded apps on Apple and Android
Numerous Ad Styles
TikTok helps brands with advertising through many ad formats, including ads within user feeds, branded hashtags, branded effects, and more.
This variety lets brands design eye-catching ads to attract prospects and convert them into paying customers. TikTok shows how it supports creators who contribute to its popularity.
Music Streaming Platform
Music is integral to TikTok videos due to an extensive library of Trending Sounds. Viral videos often include songs from aspiring artists, sometimes reviving old songs.
TikTok also functions as a music streaming platform. Users and brands can browse the vast music library, and in countries like Brazil and Indonesia, TikTok Music is available—offering streaming and download capabilities integrated into the app. This enhances content creation with greater music integration.
News Source
TikTok is becoming an all-in-one app, and a growing number of users get their news from it, especially in the US. About 1 in 4 American adults get news from TikTok videos, mostly aged 18-29.
Legacy news organizations face challenges as internet news consumption grows. Now, they must adapt to a varied news landscape including social media platforms like TikTok. Alternative media and citizen journalists provide perspectives rarely heard from traditional outlets. Short-form videos outperform longer news segments historically popular.
User-generated Short-form Content
User-generated content (UGC) is central to social media. TikTok emphasizes short-form videos, appealing in a world with shrinking attention spans.
UGC benefits brands by reaching wider audiences and leveraging influencer star power. Tips for creating UGC:
- Keep videos on-brand and engaging
- Be expressive and creative
- Tag collaborators
TikTok allows more creative freedom due to its casual content expectations, letting your brand’s personality shine.
No Professional Recording Equipment Needed
The barrier to becoming a TikTok creator is low. Most creators use smartphones to record videos, though laptops, DSLRs, or webcams can also be used.
Some enhance lighting with ring lights or external microphones, but these are optional and affordable if desired.
Small Accounts Still Get Great Engagement
Unlike many platforms, TikTok allows even small or new accounts to get significant engagement if the content quickly captures attention.
Once you hook viewers, they are likely to follow you for more. Finding your style and running with it will grow your audience.
Videos Don’t Need to Include You
Brands don’t have to include a spokesperson in every video. Others can appear to speak or demonstrate products, or animations can be used with voiceover narration.
A dynamic range of content prevents viewer boredom and encourages return visits.
TikTok Analytics Provide Valuable Data
TikTok provides analytics on views, likes, comments, shares, and engagement rates.
Monitoring these helps identify what works and what needs improvement. Encouraging audience interaction increases engagement and offers insights for creating compelling content.
Small Learning Curve
Though TikTok’s interface may seem chaotic at first, users quickly become comfortable with the layout and For You feed.
Creating content is easy, with filters and editing tools readily available.
Unlike other platforms, TikTok does not reduce engagement to force paid boosts. Instead, popular content is pushed further, allowing new accounts to gain millions of views overnight.
Conclusion
Why is TikTok good? We gave you 18 reasons why this popular social media app has taken the world by storm. It is beloved by both regular users and brands alike, and continues to grow.
If you are a content creator or brand looking to maximize your success, TikTok is the go-to platform. Thanks to a nearly non-existent learning curve and a very rewarding algorithm, you should see impressive success very quickly.
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