TikTok is a short-format video sharing app. Having burst onto the social media scene in 2017, it quickly gained popularity among teens and young adults. It’s short video-sharing format was first popularized by Vine, but the concept has stuck. Users can shoot, edit and share their 15-second videos on the app, after they’ve jazzed them up with filters, animations, special effects, music, and more. Still, have you ever felt addicted to TikTok? Here’s 3 reasons why.
3. Short-format
In a world where we’re bogged down by seemingly endless information, the 15-second video concept can offer some relief. It’s in our nature to want to consume media as succinctly as possible, which is partially what gave rise to social media platforms like Twitter in the first place. We don’t have much time these days, so who wants to spend 20 minutes watching a YouTube video, when you could just scroll through your TikTok feed for a few minutes instead. Consumption is fast-paced these days, and other social media platforms are struggling to keep up like TikTok has.
2. Memes
Memes are the currency of the internet. If you’re reading this article, I’ll assume that you’re not a boomer and understand what a meme is, so let’s jump in.
Like it’s predecessor, Vine, TikTok plays host to scores of the most popular memes on the internet at any given time. For many (myself included) memes are a way to connect and engage with content, in a way that doesn’t require much commitment. We’ve come a long way from the early days of Rage memes in the late 2000s (thank god), and short format video platforms like Vine and TikTok are partially responsible.
- Mobile-first product
Ever felt addicted to TikTok? Here’s the number 1 reason of the 3 reasons why. According to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, it’s “one of the first companies to launch mobile-first products powered by machine learning technology.” Furthermore, it was founded as a way “to combine the power of artificial intelligence with the growth of mobile internet to revolutionize the way people consume and receive information.”
Unlike older social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, TikTok grew up in the era of smart phones. Rather than scrolling through our feeds on our computers, most of us use our cellphones to engage with social media – and TikTok is built around that concept. Everything about it is optimized to get users to engage with the platform using their phones, rather than their laptops.
TikTok uses AI (including facial recognition) to provide its users with exactly what they want, and nothing they don’t want. Essentially, TikTok is customizable to the extreme. People want curated feeds that resonate with them – and nothing else.
How to curb your TikTok enthusiasm
Have you ever felt addicted to TikTok? Here’s 3 reasons why:
- Short format
- Memes
- Mobile-first platform
TikTok is the ultimate social media platform – and it’s growing in popularity every day. Curbing your TikTok addiction can be tricky, but certain steps can be taken. Setting a daily limit on your TikTok use (if you have an iPhone) is a great option – or you could just delete the app altogether. Ultimately it’s your choice, but TikTok is definitely here to stay.