1. TikTok was the most downloaded app globally in 2020 and 2021.

TikTok had 656 million downloads during 2021, with Instagram being second place at 545 million downloads.

TikTok is used by more than 1 billion users around the globe. Combined with Douyin, the user base is upwards of 1.5 billion. This is huge, because other apps, such as Instagram, took around six years to reach the billion-user mark. Similarly, it took Facebook four years to reach this figure.

2. TikTok is called Douyin in China.

The original app of TikTok was launched in 2016 and created by Bytedance in China.

Douyin is exactly the same app as TikTok however, in China, it attracts a slightly older demographic, with users ranging from children to middle-aged adults.

The apps look exactly the same, but the two platforms do not interact and users can’t see each other’s posts. Douyin also has a few extra features such as photo search and in-app stores.

3. Around 41% of TikTok users are between the ages of 16-24.

4. TikTok is now the seventh most popular social media platform in the world.

5. TikTok was originally called Musical.ly.

Musical.ly was launched in 2014. On November 9, 2017, Chinese company Bytedance, TikTok’s founder purchased Musical.ly for $1 billion USD. However, this changed to TikTok when the two merged in 2017.

6. In 2019 TikTok introduced advertisements encouraging users to take breaks from the app.

In an attempt to prompt users, TikTok created advertisements to remind users to take a break from the app.

This was a response to research into the effects of the app on the mental wellbeing and brain development of the users.

Some studies have shown that watching short videos on a loop can reduce attention span, especially on a developing brain.

7. TikTok is Available in 154 Countries.

Despite its ban in India, TikTok is still available in 154 countries across the globe. The app has also been translated into more than 75 languages.

8. The average total time spent on TikTok per day is 52 minutes.

Users will on average open the app eight times per day and spend around 6-7 minutes on the app.

Statistics from Businessofapps revealed that in 2019 the average total time spent by a user on TikTok was 52 minutes per day.

Instagram users spend around 53 minutes per day on the app.

9. More Than 1 Billion Videos Viewed Daily

TikTok makes it easy for the average content creator to create unique content, with an array of video effects, filters, and music choices. It is highly probable that this figure has increased dramatically due to the effects of the pandemic.

10. TikTok Was the 17th Most-Searched YouTube Query

The app’s success has permeated other platforms as well. TikTok was the 17th most-searched YouTube query, according to Ahrefs, with many looking for inspiration and ideas. YouTubers often compile TikTok videos and put them on YouTube, which is a common way of repurposing content from the app.

11. As of 2022, TikTok is worth around $75 billion.

TikTok more than doubled its annual revenue in 2019. By the end of 2018, it was worth $7.4 billion and reached $17 billion by the end of 2019.

TikTok became the world’s most valuable privately-owned company in early 2020.

However, as of 2021, it reached an incredible worth of around $75 billion USD.

12. More Than a Third of TikTok’s Users Make $100k+ Annually

In 2019, 37% of all TikTok users had a median household income of $100k or higher; by March 2020, that number had risen to 40.2%. Whereas adoption is incredibly high amongst households that generate less than $25k per year, you should know that a vast majority of TikTok’s users are affluent.

Preview photo credit: TikTok