Are there still individuals who have not heard of TikTok?
We sincerely doubt it, as it has approximately 1 billion active users, and news about the app spreads rapidly!
Furthermore, users from across the globe have contributed to its achievement of over 3 billion downloads.
It was the most downloaded app during the quarantine period, attracting millions of new TikTok users as its popularity soared.
Due to its immense popularity, we aim to explain the origins and meaning of the TikTok platform. Let’s discuss the meaning of TikTok.
Table of Contents
TikTok Origins
TikTok was founded in 2016 by a Chinese company named ByteDance. The app was launched in China that same year.
Initially, the platform now known as TikTok was called Douyin.
The Douyin app gained approximately 100 million regular users within a year of its launch.
In 2018, the app formerly known as Douyin, now TikTok, became available to users outside of China.
To enhance the TikTok app and make it accessible to users outside China, ByteDance merged Douyin with one of the most popular social media platforms in China at that time, Musical.ly, resulting in the creation of the modern-day TikTok.
By partnering with Musical.ly in August 2018, TikTok became the most downloaded app in the USA.
The initial well-known users of TikTok in the USA were Tony Hawk and Jimmy Fallon.
In 2019, they achieved their first goal by gathering 1 billion users, thereby surpassing Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
In 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine, TikTok’s popularity soared, making it an appealing business partner. As a result, TikTok entered into various agreements with prominent companies such as Oracle, Sony, and Warner Music Group.
Under the agreements, Oracle will offer cloud hosting for data and videos, while Sony and Warner Music Group will supply licenses for music used in TikTok videos.
The aforementioned Douyin still exists, but it operates as a separate version of TikTok, exclusively for Chinese users.
Although TikTok and Douyin have nearly identical interfaces, they differ in that Douyin’s features are more akin to those of social media platforms like Facebook.
On the other hand, users understand that TikTok is solely focused on videos.
TikTok Meaning, Form, and Trends
Meaning
When translated from Chinese, the literal meaning of TikTok (Tik Tok or Tick Tock) is a “vibrating sound.”
Thus, from its name, one can infer that it is closely associated with music, dancing, singing, and acting. Furthermore, it pertains to all humorous and artistic activities.
Indeed, that is true.
The TikTok app provides all users with the opportunity to showcase their talents.
We can define TikTok as a platform for creating, sharing, and discovering content—primarily short videos.
Young people from all over the world use TikTok, but many celebrities, professional artists, actors, singers, and dancers also use the platform to create various videos that showcase their talents and offer glimpses into their private lives.
In addition to ordinary videos where people dance, sing, or talk, one can also create lip-syncing videos.
Every day, an increasing number of videos featuring people lip-syncing are being created.
Many of these lip-syncing videos have gone viral and launched the careers of their previously anonymous creators.
Of course, everyone hopes that their creation will become a trendy and viral video. Thanks to the popularity of TikTok, this idea can be realized.
Form
In terms of its form and features, they align harmoniously with the aim of TikTok.
Specifically, they allow you to select the type of content you enjoy and receive more short videos tailored to your preferences.
Let us begin with the basics.
When TikTok users sign up and access the TikTok home page, they will encounter various shortcuts.
The first shortcut is known as “Home.” When you tap it, you will see two feeds: “For you” and “Following.”
The “For you” feed personalizes the app by displaying a variety of videos based on the content you frequently engage with.
The more time you spend on the app, the better the recommendations will become.
The “Following” page displays only the videos from the TikTok users you follow.
The second shortcut is the “Discover” shortcut.
When you select this section of the app, you will find a variety of videos. The video suggestions provided are based on the trending categories and hashtags.
This section provides you with access to more videos and users than you can imagine.
In the center of the line, you will find the “Create video” option.
If you have ever used the Instagram app, you will have no trouble with this function.
Similarly, as in the previously mentioned app, when you open “Create video,” you are taken to the recording screen.
Upon entering, simply press the record button to create short videos.
The next shortcut is the “Inbox” shortcut.
In the “Inbox” shortcut, a user can view and track all activities related to their videos and respond to messages or comments left by other users.
Finally, there is a shortcut for “Profile.”
Upon entering your profile, you can view your profile picture along with the counts of your TikTok likes, followers, and the accounts you follow.
You can choose to make adjustments and set certain sections of the “Profile” tab to private.
Keep in mind that some of these functions may not be available if you access TikTok through its website.
Trends
As soon as you log in to the TikTok app, you’ll notice that the majority of users are younger.
The reality is that nearly 70% of TikTok users are aged between 13 and 24.
Therefore, this platform appears to be a creative paradise for the young.
When you lose all sense of time while scrolling through TikTok, as we often do, you encounter a variety of trends and videos.
The Tik Tok trends are clearly established by young people who are unafraid to blend different forms of dancing, jumping, joking, acting, and essentially anything you can imagine.
As a result, we have observed many trending topics on TikTok and decided to create a shortlist of the most popular types of short videos and hashtags.
The following hashtags are currently trending:
#illneverforgetyou
This hashtag is dedicated to all the individuals that TikTok users will always remember.
In a video dedicated to a user’s favorite person, other users can view a brief video or slideshow of pictures accompanied by the song “Never Forget You” by Noisettes.
#vhstape
The short videos featuring hashtags like #vhstape evoke a sense of nostalgia for the past.
Thanks to various effects and their own children or cousins, TikTok users are able to recreate their images from the past.
These videos are often accompanied by the song “Watermelon Sugar” by Alisa.
#backtoblack
Although it has been some time since this song was published, users from all around the world continue to create music videos for Amy Winehouse’s song, Back to Black.
If they do not create music videos, users often use this song as a background for aesthetic short videos and simply include the hashtag.
By clicking on the hashtags below the videos, you can discover more videos with similar content.
#gaming
One of the most widely used hashtags of all time.
As you might expect, users who are gamers also use this hashtag.
Of course, the trending list is constantly changing, so we advise you to always check the lists of the hottest hashtags.
TikTok Slang Meaning
Have you noticed that some of your friends use words you do not understand, especially when messaging on your phone?
Well, we have news for you: TikTok slang and terminology have become the new reality!
Specifically, to facilitate faster communication, the internet community has consistently developed various words and abbreviations.
Some of those words became part of everyday communication among friends, while others became useful for news agencies to minimize character usage (i.e., ASAP). Meanwhile, some words still have people searching for their meanings.
However, it is a fact that TikTok introduced a new way of speaking, particularly for those who use it throughout the day.
So, whether you like it or not, here are some of the abbreviations most commonly used by young TikTok users today:
CEO
Have you heard of Michael Le, the CEO of dance?
If someone refers to you as the CEO of a particular skill, such as dancing or singing, it means you are the best!
You can even take on the role of CEO for videos, answers, or comments.
Literally, this business term has entirely different meanings and definitions in the context of TikTok.
It is enjoyable because its definition can encompass the best, the king, the prince… almost anything you appreciate, as long as it signifies someone of great quality.
FYP
If you are encountering numerous short videos with FYP hashtags, it indicates that they are being recommended to you for a specific reason.
Specifically, TikTok develops an algorithm based on user data, which allows it to present additional videos related to the user’s interests.
The meaning of FYP is “For You Page.”
The short videos tagged with #foryou are visible when a user chooses to log in or sign up for their account.
PFP
If you have ever wondered what this abbreviation stands for, the answer is straightforward.
It is a profile picture.
OOMF
If we translate the term literally, OOMF means “One of my followers.”
For instance, TikTokers might mention that OOMF has recommended creating short lip sync videos.
IB
Hashtags such as #IB are primarily found in the video descriptions or the comments section.
The meaning of #IB is “inspired by.”
By using these hashtags, users express their gratitude to the creators of the original videos.
POV
POV is an abbreviation that stands for point of view.
As you can see, it means the same as in real life.
It is often included when users attempt to capture “minute by minute action” during an event or occasion.
DC
When dancers create short videos inspired by a viral dance video, they express their gratitude by using the hashtag #DC, which stands for dance credits.
HEATHER
Heather is a term or hashtag that TikTok users use when they come across a beautiful girl in short videos.
This word has had various meanings and definitions in the past, but today its only meaning is derived from the Conan Gray song.
RATIO
The term “ratio” is not appropriate.
Specifically, this term indicates that more users have commented on your reply in the comments section than have liked it.
We all know that users may not always share your views, so when you create your account, be ready to engage in debates in the comments section occasionally.
CAUGHT IN 4K
The meanings and definitions of this phrase vary.
However, recently, hashtags like Caught in 4K have been associated with videos featuring Pornhub intros, while capturing people’s reactions to them.
ALT TIKTOK
As we know, meme culture has gained significant popularity recently.
As a result, an increasing number of videos about memes have been produced, often featuring hashtags such as #alttiktok.
TikTok and Politics
There are reports that TikTok has strong connections with the Chinese government.
Given the unique market conditions in China, the company that developed the TikTok app, ByteDance, has received significant support from the Chinese government to enhance TikTok’s global popularity.
Due to the aforementioned concerns and suspicions that China employs TikTok as a tool for surveillance, Donald Trump has attempted to ban TikTok and has incorporated this issue into his political speeches during the campaign.
During Trump’s administration, many people felt increased anxiety regarding their personal data on the TikTok app.
Nonetheless, Donald Trump was unable to ban the TikTok app in the USA, but privacy and security concerns continue to persist.
To address the concerns, TikTok agreed to establish a new company—TikTok Global.
Under the agreement regarding TikTok Global, ByteDance will retain 80% ownership, while Oracle and Walmart will hold a combined 20%.
However, that deal remains on hold until Joe Biden and his administration confirm and sign it.
Conclusion
The TikTok platform and app clearly hold significant importance in modern culture.
TikTok has attracted many users because it has become a platform where they can showcase their talents.
Moreover, its hashtags and videos can serve as a powerful tool, promoting whatever TikTok users prefer.
We hope our text has helped you gain a better understanding of TikTok.
