With apps such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram already well established, it seemed that any newcomer has their work cut out for them. However, once TikTok entered the conversation, it turned the whole world on its head in no time. To some, the app appeared to be goofy, silly, and generally intended for a younger audience, but it quickly became apparent that it is here to stay.
Just how amazing the growth of TikTok has been? It’s easy to answer this question by taking a look at some of its competitors. The rise of this app was truly startling. While TikTok was able to reach 800 million active users in just under 3 years, for Instagram, that took 6 years. Prior to that, Facebook was considered as the Holy Grail of the fastest growing apps, but compared to TikTok, it reached the same number of users one full year later, nearly 4 years after it was founded.
What are the reasons behind the TikTok’s popularity, and what is the “it“ factor that sets it apart from the rest? Read the article below and find out.
It was unapologetic and energetic right from the start
Most apps try to please everybody in hopes that they will capture the widest possible number of users. Unfortunately for them, the opposite happens. Because they are watered down, no one bats an eye on them and they sail off into the sunset. For TikTok, this was never an option.
Intended as an app for young people, it broke all the barriers without ever looking back. Fortunately for the creators, teenagers are a very tech-savvy bunch, and it didn’t take long before the popularity of this app virtually skyrocketed.
With its insightful AI that learns the interests of users after just a couple of minutes, fresh and entertaining videos, that would keep their attention for hours, could be delivered right to their screens. As time moved on, adults also started to flock to TikTok, wanting to see what the fuss was all about. Soon, the entire world was hooked. The app served as an instant way to share some laughs with friends, so why would anyone delete it after finding that out?
People had to find a way to have fun while stuck at home
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus, billions of people were forced to chance their everyday habits. When staying at home was paramount in order to keep everyone safe, people developed a need for an immediate source of fun during the difficult times. What better way to force the boredom away than by communicating with your favorite people in the world through a brand new exciting app?
Users fell in love with wild animations, GIFs, reaction videos, and the challenges were just an icing on the cake. Each of these details put TikTok on the map, and judging by their continued success, it is here to stay. Here are some of the reasons why:
∙ Users spend 52 minutes every day in the app on average
∙ TikTok has as many as 800 million active users and counting
∙ Businesses are noticing huge chances for marketing
∙ It managed to stay fresh and relevant after 4 years of existence
∙ Influencers can use it as a primary source of income
Unlike YouTube, for instance, that always kept on focusing on making their videos longer, TikTok thrived on short doses of in-your-face content. People loved it. So much so that even YouTube and Facebook had to admit defeat and introduce their own versions of short videos, but to no avail, TikTok already took that spot.
Everyone can join in on the fun, right from their living room
On Instagram, users love to feast their eyes on content comes from celebrities, as well as travel and food vloggers, who document their every step. For people who are sitting at home, it is practically impossible to join in on that conversation, as they simply do not have access nor the resources to the remote destination or the extremely expensive 3-star Michelin restaurants.
However, what they can do is dance along and follow the popular hashtag challenges, right from the comfort of their living room. Even Friedrich Nietzsche famously said that “We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.” By bringing joy to millions of people around the globe through the power of entertainment, TikTok has cemented its place among the most used apps in a very short amount of time.
It turned out to be a marketer’s dream
Finding a fun way for potential clients and customers to interact with your brand is always the number one challenge in marketing. With TikTok, that was achieved right from the get-go. Through the use of fun challenges and by employing influencers, brands have found a golden egg and a direct path that leads that straight into the customers’ head.
Best of all, it’s a win-win situation, as the users get a chance to interact with millions of others through challenges, and as far as the brands are concerned, it provides them with a platform to promote their products.
By having a team of professionals by your side, you can also turn your brand into a global hit and reap the rewards of your hard work afterwards. We keep an eye open for the latest trends so that you don’t have to and we are always ready to pounce on the next great idea. Join us and we can conquer the digital world together! Contact us now!
