The Rise of TikTok

TikTok has emerged as a major player in social media, particularly among younger audiences, with around 170 million monthly active users in the United States. It originated from a Chinese app called Musical.ly, which was acquired and rebranded by ByteDance in 2017. Initially seen as a platform primarily for dancing and lip-syncing videos, TikTok has expanded its content significantly, attracting diverse creators and fostering various niches, including education, social commentary, and commerce. Its unique algorithm facilitates rapid content discovery, allowing videos to go viral quickly without the need for user followings.