TikTok is a world-renowned short-form video platform that has successfully garnered a loyal audience with the help of engaging content, music, visuals, challenges, and girth aspects tied to it. This social media powerhouse originated in China as Douyin and then experienced a rebranding to appeal to international users. Ever since its inception in September 2016, TikTok’s journey to international recognition has been nothing short of incredible, as it now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with global social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Whether you’re adding TikTok to your social media strategy or simply wondering where TikTok stands in the global market, these statistics will help you reach your ultimate goal. Rest assured, each statistic has been well-researched and backed to help you get the most accurate information related to TikTok’s standing in 2023. Let’s dive in!
Total Number of TikTok Users Worldwide
Ever since the pandemic, the popularity of TikTok has only skyrocketed, and the numbers are proving the same thing. According to the latest TikTok statistics analyzed, the platform has a total of 1.08 billion monthly active users in the world. This makes TikTok the sixth-most popular social media platform in terms of users, leaving behind other popular social media networks like Snapchat, Twitter and Pinterest (DataReportal)
It’s interesting to note that this user statistic does not include the app’s native users in China because it operates in the home country with the name Douyin. Douyin, on its own, has garnered 730 million active users in China only. When combined, both TikTok and Douyin together have over 1.8 billion active users worldwide.
While not many Chinese apps have been able to survive outside of the home country, notably Tencent’s WeChat, TikTok has miraculously managed to pave its way in the international market through the merging of Musical.ly in November of 2017. Since then, the app has remained one of the fastest-growing apps in the world and successfully passed 1 million users in 2021, at the peak of the pandemic (BusinessofApps).
Number of TikTok Users by Country
According to current statistics provided by TikTok, the United States wins the title for having the majority number of TikTok users worldwide, with numbers reaching up to 122.1 million (DataReportal).
Before the famous TikTok Musical.ly acquisition, TikTok had a mere 10 million monthly active users on the platform. However, the merging of both companies created a rapid surge in app popularity in the US, leading to exponential growth during the months that followed. Interestingly, the majority of the most-followed people of TikTok also hail from the US, which only proves how influential the platform has been in the States (TechCrunch)
Moving on, Indonesia makes its mark by holding the second-highest number of TikTok users in the world. Known as one of the most populous country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia garnered a total of 99.8 million TikTok users. Even a temporary ban placed by the Indonesian government in 2018 couldn’t stop the popularity of TikTok from spreading all over the country.
Third on the list, followed closely by 83.3 million active TikTok users, is Brazil. Mexico follows behind with 62.8 million TikTok users. This might seem unexpected, but TikTok has also been predicted to be the fastest-growing social media platform in Latin America in 2023. Analysts are expecting TikTok to have 13.4% user growth in 2023, leaving Snapchat behind in the dust.
Here’s a look at numbers six to 10 on the list ranking TikTok users by country:
No. of Active Users | Country |
Vietnam | 44.8 million |
Pakistan | 38.9 million |
Philippines | 38.4 million |
Thailand | 36.5 million |
Turkey | 32.2 million |
Total Number of Downloads on TikTok
Back in February 2019, TikTok hit a major milestone—it reached a billion downloads! That’s a big deal, considering it only started in 2016. And get this: in less than eight months, it added another half billion downloads. Talk about taking off!
Now, fast forward to April 2020. TikTok was on fire, hitting over 2 billion downloads worldwide on both the Apple App Store and Google Play (SensorTower). That’s double the downloads in just a bit over a year. Impressive, right?
And here’s the kicker: in the first quarter of 2020 alone, TikTok got a whopping 315 million downloads globally. That’s a crazy 58% jump from the previous quarter and a record for any app in a single quarter. TikTok was breaking records left and right!
A big cause behind this sudden and unexpected surge was the increasing interest in people all over the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. When we were all stuck at home, TikTok became the go-to app for entertainment and connecting with others. It adapted like a pro, proving it’s not just a trend but a real favorite.
TikTok App Downloads on the Apple App Store
Guess what happened in Q2 2022? TikTok nailed it as the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store, with over 60 million users picking it for their iPhones and iPads. Yep, it left big shots like CapCut, Google Maps, YouTube, and even Instagram in the dust (SensorTower Q2).
On the Android side of things, TikTok rocked the third spot on Google Play, just behind Facebook and Instagram. But here’s the kicker—still scored a hefty 125 million downloads among the Android squad in the same quarter.
And the global scene? TikTok wasn’t messing around. It proudly gained around 187 million downloads, beating out Instagram, the second runner-up, which clocked in at about 170 million downloads. The best part is that it’s the eighth time in the last ten quarters that TikTok has owned the top spot.
TikTok Ad Revenue in 2023
According to the latest data, TikTok anticipates its ad revenues to reach an impressive $13.2 billion in 2023, marking a substantial 33% increase from the preceding year. This has only cemented TikTok’s position as the most engaging social network as of now, experiencing rapid growth (Oberlo).
2023 is rolling in, and while TikTok’s still on the upswing, the pace is taking a breather compared to the incredible surge we saw in 2022. Back then, TikTok’s ad revenue shot up to a mind-blowing $9.9 billion—a whopping 155% jump from the year before. That’s more than 2.5 times the growth rate.
But, hold up—there’s a bit of a reality check. The rosy prediction of hitting $18 billion in 2023 got a little downgrade. Why? Well, there are worries floating around about potential bans on TikTok, especially in the United States and a few other places like India and Australia.
Let’s rewind a bit. In 2021, TikTok’s ad revenue was a modest $3.88 billion—less than a third of what’s expected in 2023.
So, what’s been fueling TikTok’s money train? Two words: widespread popularity. Especially among teens. Plus, TikTok’s been putting the pedal to the metal on in-app shopping and social commerce, and it’s paying off big time.
Now, about the crystal ball predictions. Even with this expected slowdown, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, is still set for growth. Analysts are throwing out a 30.7% increase in ad revenue for 2024—hitting $17.2 billion. And brace yourself, by 2025, they’re saying we could be looking at a cool $22 billion, with a 28% annual increase.
Let’s sum it up: From 2021 to 2025, TikTok’s annual revenue is gearing up for a more than five-fold jump, rocking an average annual growth rate of 61.7%. The big boost came in 2021, and while there might be a small dip in 2025, TikTok’s financial journey is still looking pretty strong.
The Influence of TikTok on US Youngsters
Alright, let’s break it down. TikTok is like the superhero of social media, especially for the younger crowd in the US. No surprise, really. Get this: a whopping two-thirds of teens aged 18 to 19 are all about TikTok. They’re in the game, making it a major player in their world. But here’s the flip side—only 16% of folks aged 60 to 64 are jumping on the TikTok train. Seems like as age goes up, TikTok love goes down (Oberlo).
So, what’s the secret sauce? TikTok knew what it was doing right from the start. It’s like they cracked the code to appeal to the younger crowd. They designed the app to match the preferences and habits of these young guns, setting them apart from the rest. Smart move!
Why do teens dig TikTok so much? It’s all about the creative vibes. The platform is a playground for self-expression. You’ll find these young minds belting out songs, pulling off slick dance moves, or nailing lip-sync performances to their favorite tunes. It’s like a free zone for creativity, and that’s exactly what the younger generation wants. By appealing to the younger generation, TikTok has strategically made its place in the hearts of billions of youngsters in the US and around the world. This popularity is definitely going to keep TikTok’s popularity going for years to come.
Effectiveness of TikTok Ads
Advertising on socialAdvertising on media is an incredibly powerful tool for brand exposure and engagement, and TikTok’s popularity makes it a significant platform to consider for marketing strategies.
Openness to Advertising
According to the latest Statista report (2023), 38% of TikTok users are willing to tolerate the seemingly annoying pop-ups and ads in exchange for free access to certain services. This openness is 4% higher than the general internet user population. This actually shows the willingness of people to use TikTok despite the ads interrupting their usage of the app. Additionally, nearly 15% of TikTok users find it challenging to distinguish between advertising and other content (SocialShepherd).
Millennial Engagement
Our favorite millennials on TikTok are 2.3 times more likely to create a post or tag a brand in their reels or videos. This involvement suggests how much millennials are really invested in this platform and are looking for ways to interact with various brands or share other content they find interesting. Gen Z follows soon behind, being the only generation that is 1.2 times more likely to send a direct message to a brand after making a purchase. Talk about being direct!
Emotional Appeal in Ads
When it comes to TikTok ads, here’s the inside scoop: emotions rule the game. Ads that tug at the heartstrings or stir up feelings? Those are the winners. TikTok spills the beans that emotional messages perform the best, creating a connection that gets people engaged and taking action. It’s all about hitting them right in the feels to make an impact.
Immediate Communication in Ads
Now, here’s a gem of wisdom from TikTok: keep it snappy. People’s attention spans are like shooting stars: here one moment and gone, the next. TikTok found that a whopping 63% of successful ads on the platform hit users with their message straight away. Get to the point, grab attention early, and you’ve got a better shot at keeping them hooked for the whole show.
Top-View Ads Preference
And speaking of shows, TikTok’s got a menu of ad formats to choose from—like in-feed ads, brand takeovers, and branded hashtag ads. But guess what’s stealing the spotlight? Top-view ads. Users love them. Having these options means brands can pick what suits their vibe and audience best. It’s like a buffet of ad goodness, giving flexibility and customization for killer campaigns.
Average Time Spent on TikTok: A Global Overview
Globally, TikTok commands a significant share of users’ daily routines, with the average user spending approximately 52 minutes on the app every day. Impressively, about 90% of TikTok’s worldwide user base accesses the platform on a daily basis, underscoring its widespread and consistent usage across different regions (SearchLogistics).
Average Session Length
TikTok isn’t just a regular player in the social media game—it’s a heavyweight when it comes to keeping users hooked. The magic happens in the average session length, and TikTok takes the crown with an impressive 10 minutes and 51 seconds. To put that in perspective, it’s almost double the session length of the runner-up, Pinterest, which clocks in at 5 minutes and 36 seconds.
Exceptional Engagement Growth
In 2019, TikTok pulled off a jaw-dropping 210% year-over-year increase in engagement time. Users collectively spent over 68 billion hours scrolling, liking, and creating on TikTok. And here’s the kicker—despite its explosive growth, TikTok keeps those engagement stats strong, making it a top-notch platform for user interaction.
Strategic Business Marketing
Now, for businesses eyeing an expanded reach, TikTok is like a golden opportunity. Why? Because people stick around! Users spend more time on TikTok compared to other social media spots, making it a sweet deal for marketers looking to capture attention.
Exceptional Engagement Rate
But wait, there’s more. TikTok flexes its engagement muscles with an exceptional rate of 5.3% on accounts with over 100,000 followers. To put it plainly, that’s almost five times higher than Instagram’s 1.1% and way beyond Twitter’s modest 0.30% engagement rate. If you’re a business or a content creator, TikTok’s got your back for building a dedicated and involved audience.
Predictions for TikTok’s Future Growth and Competition
The future looks bright for TikTok as it continues to skyrocket in popularity, especially among the younger Gen-Z crowd. One of the key secrets to TikTok’s success is its groundbreaking algorithm, shaking up the social media game by tailoring video suggestions to users’ interests. Experts are betting on TikTok’s growth to persist, thanks to the expanding global access to smartphones and the internet, setting the stage for a broader user base.
Behind TikTok’s curtain is ByteDance, its parent company, pouring resources into enhancing the app’s features. Think live streaming and e-commerce. But, and it’s a big but, TikTok is in a showdown with social media heavyweights. Instagram is throwing down with its Reels feature, a nod to TikTok’s short-form video vibe. Facebook and Snapchat are also jumping into the ring, intensifying the competition.
Yet, TikTok stands tall. Why? It’s got that special sauce—its algorithm. This not only makes users love it but positions TikTok as a potential leader in the social media scene. The secret sauce? Continuous innovation and staying on top of what users want. As long as TikTok keeps this momentum, it’s looking like a major player in the social media world for a good while.