TikTok is an incredibly popular short-form video app. It’s created a huge platform of users and watchers from all around the world, sharing content and collaborating through its user-friendly features. So who made TikTok?
History Of TikTok
TikTok was first launched in 2016. It was created by Chinese tech company, ByteDance, which is based in Beijing. In 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, a popular lip-sync video-sharing app, and merged its technology into the TikTok app. This integration allowed TikTok to become the worldwide hit it is today.
ByteDance’s CEO & Founder, Zhang Yiming
At the helm of ByteDance, and the creator of TikTok, is CEO and Founder Zhang Yiming. Zhang graduated from Nankai University in Tianjin, China in 2005 with a degree in Computer Science. After college, he worked at Google until 2007, then started his own business working on search engine optimization and big data analysis.
In 2012, Zhang founded ByteDance. Since then, he has identified many potential opportunities for ByteDance to expand its business. He’s responsible for the development platforms such as TopBuzz and BuzzVideo, as well as the international versions of Toutiao, including TikTok.
Growth of ByteDance
Since its founding, ByteDance has grown at an incredible rate and become one of the most valuable tech companies in the world. In 2018 it became the world’s most valuable startup, surpassing Uber. ByteDance is now valued at over $100 billion.
According to the New York Times, ByteDance has been growing at a rate that’s faster than other Western technology companies such as Facebook, Google and Amazon. ByteDance has also developed technology such as algorithms to personalize content, and acquired other companies, like Flipagram and NewsDog, that expand their offerings beyond just TikTok.
TikTok’s Expansion & Popularity
After the acquisition of Musical.ly and its integration into TikTok, the app’s popularity skyrocketed. TikTok quickly became a global sensation, with over 1.5 billion active users. The app is available in more than 150 markets and 75 languages.
TikTok has been credited with creating new stars, such as 15-year-old American performer Charli D’Amelio, who has over 3.5 million followers. The app is also popular with celebrities like Will Smith, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande.
TikTok also has developed a strong corporate presence. According to Forbes Business Insider, the company has partnered with over 100 advertisers and the cost of an ad on the app can cost thousands of dollars.
TikTok is a social media phenomenon taking over the world because of its user-friendly features, diverse global user base, and entertainment. It was created by ByteDance and its CEO and Founder Zhang Yiming, who combined the dynamics of web search optimization and big data with one of the most successful tech companies of today. With its massive international presence, celebrity endorsements, and top-notch advertisers, there is no question that TikTok will remain an incredibly influential app for many years to come.