The question of whether TikTok is a superior platform to other social media apps and sites emerged not that long ago when other platforms like Instagram and YouTube implemented features that resemble TikTok. TikTok was initially developed as an educational app, but due to the audience’s preference for short videos containing entertaining elements, the platform’s creators decided to change the concept and redesign the app.
Through a chain of events with mergers of different platforms and companies, was established the current version of TikTok. Despite having an unusual work mechanism that consists of simple swiping gestures, TikTok entirely fits the criteria of social media networks. As the primary definition of social media implies a technology that allows quick exchange of electronic content, other definitions require creating personal profiles. Although it may seem that TikTok is predominantly focused on short videos, the app features individual profiles and comment sections and allows direct message exchange between users.
By analyzing the app’s experience, one could say that what makes TikTok dramatically different from other social media is the close involvement of algorithms in the working process of the app. Moreover, it includes a camera feature with different filters and special effects that could be used to film a video. The app provides the ability to save videos from other users on a device and then share them on other platforms. In a sense, the app provides the resources necessary for people to be heard without making it a cacophony of voices (Livingstone, 2015).
Additionally, the videos have a watermark that provides the user’s name to ensure that the viewers can find the initial source and author. The watermarks created a marketing opportunity for companies to increase their audience through viral videos. The features in the app allow its users to create and share content without any forced frameworks, which is why I can see myself continuing to use it.
Reference
Livingstone, S. (2015). Why label out time and life digital? The London school of economics and political science. Web.