History and Popularity of TikTok
TikTok started as a Chinese app called Douyin, created by Zhang Yiming in 2012 and launched in 2016. The app quickly became popular for its short music and dance videos. One of the earliest viral trends was "The Renegade" dance by Jalaiah Harmon.
In 2020, TikTok user Charli D’Amelio became the first to reach 100 million followers, posting popular dance videos. Other top TikTok stars earn up to $3 million per year. The app features options for adding effects, narration, and streaming live video.
Growth and Impact of TikTok
TikTok launched globally as TikTok in 2017 after merging with Musical.ly, becoming one of the most downloaded apps worldwide. The platform continues to drive viral trends in music, dance, and internet culture. Anyone can create the next popular TikTok craze with some creativity.
TikTok User Statistics
TikTok has over 1.7 billion users globally, with 1.1 billion monthly active users. The United States has over 150 million TikTok users. Marketers looking to reach a global audience can leverage TikTok as a social media platform.