5 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About TikTok

Discover 5 interesting facts about the viral social media platform

From viral dances and creative challenges to dueted videos and memes, in only a few years TikTok has become a household name, serving up a steady stream of viral videos with some of its top creators earning millions of dollars.

To get an idea of just how popular the app has become, TikTok, spelled with and without a space, is the third most common search query on Youtube.

But even if you spend hours at a time on the app, there’s always more to discover. Like, do you know the secret to making a successful TikTok? Or how can you use the app to make money? Or how are viral trends sparking larger social change? Discover those answers and more in this video.

5 Interesting Facts About TikTok

1. Every second counts

Here’s a recommendation that comes from TikTok itself: If you want your videos to get engagement, you need to use an interesting hook in the first seconds of your video.

Viewers scrolling through their For You page make split-second decisions about what to watch, so it’s important to lead with content that will grab their attention immediately, versus slowly lead into it or leave the best for last.

2. TikTok is both global, and local

With 689 million global active users as of January 2021, it’s safe to say that TikTok has taken over the world. But despite its global reach, one of the keys to the app’s success is actually its localized content. Through different hashtags and challenges with content creators, TikTok helps promote content that it thinks will be more engaging for a local audience, with For You pages often featuring content not just based on your interests but also your location. TikTok’s success in breaking into major markets like India, for example, can be credited to the way the app blends global trends with regional interests like Bollywood.

3. TikTok is literally addictive

Have a hard time breaking away from TikTok? You aren’t alone. Most social media platforms are designed to feed the pleasure centers in your brain so that you stay on them longer and keep coming back for more. Because of the way that it’s designed, TikTok’s endless scroll of short, recommended videos makes it even easier to fall into those reward-seeking loops as your brain seeks out its next dopamine rush.

4. TikTok is being used to spark social change

TikTok's cultural impact goes beyond viral videos, dance trends, and relatable memes. The platform has been used to spotlight campaigns related to the LGBTQ+ community, mental health awareness, and supporting minority-owned businesses. It’s also turned into a place where many go to be informed, with one survey finding that three quarters of Gen Z said TikTok has helped them stay up to date with the news and learn about social justice and politics.

5. You can make money from TikTok

TikTok isn’t just a place to have fun, for some people it’s serious business. In 2020 TikTok launched a $200 million Creator Fund, paying out eligible creators depending on metrics like views and engagement. Brands and creators can also form advertising partnerships through the TikTok Creator Marketplace, and fans can buy “coins” using real money to give to their favorite creators during Lives.

If you'd like to learn more about how to use TikTok to create engaging content that gains followers and helps grow your brand, check out That Icelandic Guy's online course Introduction to TikTok for Creatives.

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