TikTok
TikTok is one of the most widely used popular video-sharing platforms on the web and experienced a meteoric adoption rate among users in a relatively short amount of time.
In September 2016, Chinese-based software company ByteDance launched a video-sharing social media application called Douyin. The following year, an international version was launched for the masses to install on their mobile devices named TikTok. The platform quickly established itself as the most downloaded application in the United States in October of 2018 and has persisted in being a social media powerhouse today.
TikTok’s rise to app store domination can largely be attributed to ByteDance’s acquisition of Musical.ly in November of 2017 for a whopping $1 billion. Musical.ly users were automatically integrated into TikTok’s platform after the buyout, and the majority of those users were from the U.S.
Although the DNA of TikTok’s original content trademark—lip-syncing and dance routine videos—are still largely popular on the platform, the application has evolved in its respective markets to offer a wide variety of clips from its user base. Allowing for more long-form videos has allowed for content creators to upload viral storytimes and, in some instances, mini-documentaries about their daily lives.
TikTok’s user base currently stands at approximately 1 billion. Unlike other social media networks, however, there’s a strong argument to be made that it’s the most culturally significant app. Throngs of folks want to be TikTok famous, and numerous individuals have managed to launch successful branding and influencer careers from the application.
Even so, the platform has also become an integral online space for individuals to share their everyday lives—from Instacart shopper woes to corporate workforce pains, and massive Shein hauls to revolutionary shopper-focused hacks. Here, TikTok exists as an essential view of real-world discourse through a digital lens.
‘Dude tried to save some money’: Chevrolet driver tries to fix his Silverado truck himself. It backfires
‘It is shocking.’
On by Chad Swiatecki
‘You couldn’t even talk to anybody’: Delta Airlines customer says she was stuck at airport for 2 days without her bags
‘People were renting U-Hauls trying to get out.’
On by Vanessa St-Amand
‘Go down to the auto parts store’: Man shares what to do instead of spending thousands on new motor, transmission
‘Great advice, happened to me on a 2014 Jeep Cherokee.’
On by Chad Swiatecki
‘I never saw or talked with him again’: Expert says this is the right way for a woman to break up with a man
‘I’d rather you be a jerk.’
On by Heather Stewart
‘I cannot believe that just happened’: Customer catches nail tech upcharging $45
‘Left the nail salon without tipping for the first time.’
On by Vanessa St-Amand
‘Stila at dollar tree ?! What a time to be alive!’: Shopper says Dollar Tree is hiding prestige beauty products in plain packaging
‘I’m definitely going to pick this up.’
On by Alexandra Samuels
‘Paging Dr Beat’: This remixed club classic from the ’80s is suddenly all over TikTok. Why?
The sound comes from an obscure, underground music genre.
On by Charlotte Colombo
‘I can fit my whole dang finger’: Man buys used 2023 Honda Civic and brings it to mechanic for final inspection. It backfires
‘No way thats mechanical sound’
On by Jack Alban
‘Learn from my mistake’: Woman says she’s been reading the tags on baby clothes wrong this whole time
‘I never paid attention to sizes.’
On by Charlotte Colombo
‘These new vehicles, man’: Brand-new 2025 Honda Civic only has 100 miles on it. So why is the check-engine light on?
‘Why I refuse to get rid of my 2009 accord.’
On by Jack Alban
‘These netradyne cameras suck’: Amazon driver gets flagged simply for touching his eye
‘My buddy works for Amazon and they just put these in’
On by Phil West
‘This is actually insane!’: McDonald’s worker says they were forced to put expired milk into milkshake machine
‘never seen anything like this where are yall working’
On by Jack Alban
‘When you tell your waitress’: Man spends his 20th birthday at Texas Roadhouse. There’s just one problem
‘And that’s why you check anyone who looks under 35, not 25.’
On by Braden Bjella
Loading…
