Search
Showing results for “TikTok”
Jump to a topic
TikTokTikTok is a social media platform that’s signed up more than half of the US population as users and is owned by the Chinese technology company ByteDance Ltd.—a relationship that has raised significant national security concerns.
The app saw supercharged growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, with users seeking social connections during lockdowns. It was downloaded more than 850 million times in 2020 alone. TikTok’s algorithm is its defining feature, powering the app's addictive nature, though its inner workings remain a closely held secret. Estimates suggest more than 90% of consumed content comes from the algorithmic feed.
In 2024, US lawmakers passed a requirement for parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the country, which the company challenged in court. In 2025, ByteDance agreed to sell the company's US branch to a group of US investors, including Oracle, which will oversee the app's security and cloud computing.Explore TikTok
What we've found
Billie Eilish and TikTok helped inspire a bossa nova resurgenceEilish's 2021 song "Billie Bossa Nova" along with a handful of other younger artists, like Laufey and Beabadoobee, have inspired Gen Z's interest in the genre, with the music soundtracking tens of thousands of videos on TikTok. ChartmetricThe TikTok sale went through in January 2026The app's ownership is now majority American, though TikTok CEO Shou Chew, who is Chinese, remains on the board of directors. It's unclear what, if anything, has changed for American users, as the company has historically kept the specifics of its algorithm a secret. ABC NewsTikTok isn’t factored into a song’s rank on the Billboard charts, but it can have an impactBillboard ranks a song’s chart position based on its radio airplay, its physical sales, and its streaming numbers (across Spotify and other platforms), but doesn’t include user-generated content, meaning it doesn’t include TikTok videos. Keith Caulfield, Billboard’s managing director of charts and data operations, notes that TikTok still has an impact, though, because listeners will often stream the app’s most popular songs on other platforms. Billboard on the RecordTikTok's 'sonic logo' imprints the app's identity across platformsAs the app's popular videos spread to other platforms like Instagram and Reddit, the company sought a way to alert viewers that the content originated on TikTok. They decided on the sonic logo that now acts as a bumper on all of its shared videos, to attract users. Planet MoneyTikTok's personalized algorithm activates the brain's reward systemA 2025 Washington Post study found that 75% of the TikTok users it studied nearly doubled the amount of time spent on the app within a month. Experts in design and psychiatry say that's due to the app's interface and algorithm, which feed on the brain's desire for dopamine. The Washington PostTikTok is transforming the English languageLinguists like Adam Aleksic have argued that the way internet slang—especially the kind that thrives on TikTok—enters the real world isn’t so different from how English evolved in its earliest days. Literary HubTrump has extended TikTok's sale deadline three timesIn 2024, US lawmakers passed a requirement for parent company ByteDance Ltd. to sell TikTok or face a ban in the country, which the company challenged in court. In early 2025, the law took effect, though President Trump paused it three separate times, affording the company more time to sell. ReutersTikTok is resurrecting sampled songsRapper Doechii's song "Anxiety" has become a bona fide chart hit. Interestingly, its popularity on TikTok propelled Gotye's "Somebody I Used to Know" (the song Doechii's song samples) and Sleep Hallow's "A N X I E T Y" (a song that samples the Doechii song) onto the charts as well. ScreenRantThe 'Ratatouille' musical started as a joke on TikTokIt all started as a meme: What if “Ratatouille” were adapted for the stage? Just a few months later, though, it was an actual production, featuring genuine Broadway stars. The Ringer'Dirty soda' took off in Utah before exploding on TikTokThe concoction is a combination of Diet Coke, coffee creamer, and citrus. This Eater article delves into the history behind the sugary drink, pinpointing its start as a Mormon-friendly alternative to alcohol and caffeine. The explainer also explores why the drink became so popular on social media and offers helpful hints for crafting your own recipe. EaterTikTok is obsessed with weird cottage cheese recipesCottage cheese “cookie dough.” Pizza cottage cheese bowl. Cottage cheese queso dip. TikTok influencers are suddenly posting nonstop cottage cheese recipes. It might be echoes of the 1990s weight-loss obsession, when diet culture encouraged the consumption of questionably tasty low-fat foods and not much else. Now, cottage cheese’s high protein content has made it an intriguing prospect for online fitness gurus who say that it’s the key to building muscle. EaterWhat Trump's second 75-day extension means for TikTok saleAfter President Trump took office in January 2025, he offered TikTok the opportunity to find a US company to buy the app within 75 days. In the meantime, the app continued operating. In April, Trump extended that deadline by an additional 75 days. This BBC article breaks down what that means for the company's potential buyers and for its users. BBC NewsTikTok is changing the building tradesPlumbers, welders, and general contractors are meeting their customers on TikTok. This article delves into the growing group of tradespeople documenting their work (and advertising their services) on the popular app. The profiled workers are convinced this is the new way to sustain a life in the trades. DwellExplore Wikipedia, but TikTok-styleWikipedia's vast trove of information can be a bit dull to navigate. This homemade website takes real Wikipedia pages and places them in a swipeable format similar to TikTok, so you can learn about very random things in a similar mode as the culture-shifting TikTok app. Check it out here. WikiTokHow to read the news on TikTokThere's plenty of news on TikTok, but that doesn't mean it's all reliable. This guide, written by a communication technology professor, breaks down the ways the app's algorithm delivers news. It also covers how users can determine whether or not a story is factual or misleading. Most strikingly, the professor warns readers that if they didn't search for a TikTok video, then "it probably found you." The ConversationWhat Trump's executive order provides TikTokJust a few days into his second term, President Trump paused the US law banning TikTok through an executive order. While that may sound like an all-out reversal, it's more of a time out, granting ByteDance an additional 75 days to find a US-based seller. This resource breaks down what Trump's executive order provides the Chinese company and what it might mean for the future of the app. NPRTikTok explained: how the app became a global phenomenonSince 2018, the short-form, video-sharing app TikTok has gone from launching in the US to becoming a habit-forming cultural force that’s signed up more than half of the country's population as users. 1440TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew on its futureTikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew dives into how the trendsetting video app and cultural phenomenon works, from what distinguishes its algorithm and drives viral videos, to the challenges of content moderation and digital addiction in this wide-ranging conversation with the head of TED, Chris Anderson. TED TalksIn 2019, videos on TikTok convinced children they had Tourette syndromeRight before the COVID-19 pandemic, an "outbreak" of Tourette syndrome was attributed to videos from a German TikToker who documented his life with the condition. The children experiencing the symptoms all had the same tics, which experts say was a case of mass sociogenic illness, also referred to as mass hysteria. Big ThinkThe TikTok ban isn't just for TikTokThe Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act makes it unlawful for any “foreign-adversary controlled” entity to distribute, maintain, or update any “website, desktop application, mobile application, or augmented or immersive technology application” within the US. The DebriefLess than half of TikTok's US users have posted a videoLike most platforms, content is driven by a small number of active users—in TikTok's case, 25% of accounts are responsible for an estimated 98% of content posted. Pew Research CenterUS lawmakers banned TikTok in 2024 for security purposesAfter years of concerns about ByteDance Ltd.'s affiliation with the Chinese government, Congress passed a bill banning TikTok in the US. The main argument favoring the ban is that Beijing could use the wildly popular app to run foreign influence campaigns. Americans opposed to the ban say the law will negatively impact the livelihoods for TikTok shops and influencers. TIMEThe average TikTok user spends 95 minutes on the app per dayAccording to HubSpot, the average TikTok user spends 95 minutes per day using the app, and an estimated 90% of users access TikTok daily. TikTok also has the highest average session length among social media platforms: Its users spend almost 11 minutes per session. HubSpotTikTok's algorithm is likely driven by what you linger onTikTok’s algorithm is the powerful engine driving the vast majority of the app’s engagement. While its inner workings remain a secret, the key ingredient is how long a user lingers on content. Experts believe the app develops user profiles in as little as two hours. Wall Street JournalRoughly 62% of US adults under 30 say they use TikTokA Pew Research Center publication reports that most members of Gen Z use the app. That's significantly more than other age groups: 39% for those ages 30 to 49, 24% for those 50 to 64, and 10% for those 65 and older. Pew Research CenterTikTok doesn't exist in ChinaTikTok is owned by the Chinese company ByteDance Ltd., yet only the platform’s sister app Douyin is available in China. That's because the Chinese government regularly censors Douyin—something ByteDance likely believes would degrade TikTok, its international app. CNN BusinessTikTok's algorithm has changed the way hits are madeSongs aimed at TikTok's algorithm—designed for viral dances or soundtracking common experiences—often find success on the Billboard charts. An early example was Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road," which used his memes and a country-trap beat from the Netherlands to rise to the top of the Billboard charts. The New York TimesTikTok can turn everyday users into starsTikTok is such a cultural force, it’s now a platform for turning ordinary users into stars. This "Planet Money" podcast episode performs a deep dive into how Tai Verdes went from working a day job and dreaming of becoming a successful musician to using TikTok to gain a following. Planet MoneyTikTok's top 10 users have over 1B followersInfluencers like Charli D'Amelio and MrBeast, as well as more traditional stars like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, produce content that keep people scrolling. Social BladeHow to catch a TikTok thiefSomeone took a 10-second clip of a parody video made by Hugh Clegg and posted it to TikTok, where it racked up millions of views. The uncredited clip meant viewers assumed it was owned by the uploader, an assumption Clegg was eager to rectify. His messages and comments had no real effect outside of earning him temporary bans for "spamming." So he decided to moonlight as a private eye. The New YorkerMost memes now begin on TikTokThe website Know Your Meme looked at the data for 700 to 1,400 memes uploaded to the platform each year from 2010 to 2022. In 2010, a majority of memes began on YouTube (34%) or 4chan (28%), but by 2022 most were starting on TikTok. Know Your MemeHow TikTok ate the internetTikTok is now deeply integrated into American culture, thanks to the app’s powerful algorithm and focus on entertainment which have influenced popular trends and social media content consumption in the US. This immersive piece highlights TikTok’s role in helping shape everything from music to fashion and even politics in the US—while its connection to China has also drawn scrutiny and raised national security concerns. The Washington PostIs TikTok owned by China's Communist Party?The U.S. and its allies have addressed fears the social media site could be a national security risk, with China seeking to peddle influence or harvest data. This article explains who owns the company and how it has responded to the Chinese... NewsweekTikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms of all timeCentered around user-generated short videos, the platform was created by the Chinese technology company ByteDance Ltd. With over 1.8 billion users, the app has become a global force. AcquiredUnderstanding TikTok-owner ByteDance's business modelByteDance has ridden TikTok's major success to become the world's most valuable startup. This deep dive showcases some of the company's smartest moves and tactics, and where it's headed next. SubstackTikTok boasts nearly 1.8B monthly usersThe app has surged in popularity recently, with usage surging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those users have generated high revenues, too, with over $23B in 2024. Business of AppsA timeline and visuals on TikTok's rapid growthThe app that would become TikTok is known as Douyin in China, and this article recounts its history, acquisition of rival Musical.ly, and rebranding ahead of its lightning growth. One visualization shows how quickly TikTok reached 1B users. Influencer Marketing HubSiblings surprise their parents with a recreation of a 1980s childhood photoThe three sisters and one brother recreated a professional photo taken of them in classic 1980s garb. They captured a TikTok of their parents' hilarious reactions that went viral. ABC NewsThe opening chapters of bestselling novels are thousands of words shorter than they were in the 1950sNovels like "The Catcher in the Rye" and "Lord of the Flies" averaged opening chapters with about 4,500 words. Titles from the 2020s, on the other hand, including "Fourth Wing" and "Lessons in Chemistry," are closer to 2,500 words. The TimesMusic today is often intended to circulate on social mediaArtists are increasingly using TikTok and other short form video platforms as a space to promote their music. One scholar notes this emphasis, and connect it to Taylor Swift's early use of social media to promote her own work and brand. University of Chicago NewsChanel faced major backlash in 2021 over its $825 Advent calendarChanel’s $825 Advent calendar drew millions of views on TikTok after shoppers unboxed items like stickers, string bracelets, and a standard dust bag—products many felt didn’t match the luxury price. The viral controversy made the calendar one of the year's most criticized holiday releases. Business InsiderDeepfake videos impersonating real doctors are spreading false medical adviceMore than 100 videos, found primarily on Instagram and TikTok in August 2025, promoted products related to beauty, wellness and weight loss. While TikTok removed 94% of content violating its policies on AI-generated content, these deepfakes were watched and shared before removal, undermining public trust in medicine. CBS NewsTemu was ordered to pay a $2M fine for alleged FTC violations Specifically, Temu allegedly violated the INFORM Consumers Act of 2023 by failing to provide its customers with information and tools to help them avoid and report stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe goods. CSISIn 2025, ByteDance agreed to sell the app's US branchIn 2024, US lawmakers passed a requirement for parent company ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in the country, which the company challenged in court. After several extensions granted by President Trump, ByteDance agreed to sell the company's US branch to a group of US investors, including Oracle, which will oversee the app's security and cloud computing. CNBCMeta has added video features to attract more young users to FacebookAmid an aging userbase and competition from newer social networks like TikTok, Facebook has seen its perceived relevance and cool factor progressively decrease. The Local tab and dating features are among several efforts to counter this perception. ReutersHere is a visualization of the creator economy as an ecosystemFrom social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, to major advertisers paying influencers to promote their brands, to the consumers watching online content, quite a few engines have to keep firing to make the creator economy run smoothly. Columbia UniversityA creator economy timelineLong before anyone memorized a TikTok dance, the creator economy began with regular people blogging about their personal lives. Eventually, it snowballed into the creator economy we know today. The Washington Post created an interactive timeline to help visualize how the creator economy got from point A to point B. The Washington PostDeepfake Tom Cruise goes viralTom Cruise isn’t on TikTok. But you might think that he actually does have an account on the service if you came across the TikTok deepfakes of the actor that have gone viral. They’re the work of a visual and AI effects artist named Chris Umé and a Cruise stand-in, actor Miles Fisher, who already bears a vague resemblance to the actor. Watch what happens after Cruise’s face is superimposed onto Fisher’s. TikTokDouyin is a dominant channel for government propagandaDriven by strict censorship rules, ByteDance Ltd. spun off TikTok from its sister app Douyin—the version available in China—in order to flourish in international markets. This “60 Minutes” report compares the apps side by side. 60 MinutesExamining self-diagnosed synesthesiaA growing number of people on social media claim to have a perceptual condition that lets them smell colors, see music, or taste sounds. But do they really? Wired
Try another search?