TikTok
The social media platform TikTok was originally known as Musical.ly and is an international version of the Chinese app Douyin. TikTok is known for its short-form videos, evolving from dance and lip-syncing to all genres including comedy and educational videos.
In 2020, President Donald Trump threatened to ban TikTok if the company did not sell to its U.S. business, calling TikTok a national security threat. Today, TikTok features include a "For You" page, which is a feed of videos that are recommended to users based on their activity on the app, and a TikTok Creator Fund, giving influencers the opportunity to earn money on the app.
TikTok Launch Date: August 2, 2018
Most Followed TikTok Accounts:
- Khaby Lame
- Charli D'Amelio
- Bella Poarch
- MrBeast
- Addison Rae
- Zach King
- Kimberly Loaiza
- TikTok
- Burak Özdemir
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
How many active monthly users does TikTok have? As of February 2024, TikTok has a reported 1.1 billion monthly active users. The app has also been downloaded more than 3 billion times worldwide and is available in over 140 countries.
TikTok net worth: $50 billion
Latest TikTok News and Updates
The “6-7” Song on TikTok Is Actually off This Track From an Up-and-Coming Philadelphia Rapper
"Shades on so I roll with the glasses."
The "Red Lipstick Movement" Is Making Waves on TikTok Decades After It Was Introduced
"Day five of wearing red lipstick to school until we get a new president."
TikTok Was Automatically Uninstalled on a User's Phone Because of Automatic App Updates
"It tried to update and it took it off my phone."
Tarot Reader Seemingly Predicts D.C. Plane Crash Before It Happens, Social Media’s Freaked Out
On the same day of the crash, TikToker Tarot Noir stated that she believed there was going to be an attack on a commercial airline and that it'd be an "inside job" from someone on board.
This Man Was on a Plane Two Minutes Behind the Fatal American Airlines and Black Hawk Crash in D.C.
"The man next to me had a daughter who is a flight attendant with PSA and was servicing that flight from Wichita."
Trump Says That Microsoft Is in Contention to Buy TikTok, but Is That True?
Trump suggested that many companies might bid for the platform.
The Phrase "Sign Name Cuff" Is All Over TikTok Because of How It Sounds Backwards
The phrase doesn't mean anything until you manipulate the audio.
Will I Have TikTok If I Get a New Phone? You May, If You Have This Device
"No it will not, I know from experience." — Redditor @whothefudge_
The TikTok Acronym "LOML" Might Just Be the Cutest Thing You'll See on Social Media
"LOML" might just be one of the cutest acronyms out there!
Users Are Scared to Update Their Phones Because They Don't Want to Lose TikTok
Some are worried about the app disappearing if they keep their phone software current.
What Does "Lockjaw" Mean on TikTok? The Song Behind the Unrecognizable Makeup Trend
Just shy of 150,000 videos have been uploaded using the "LOCKJAW" sound clip on TikTok as of January 2025.
TikTok's "Cute Winter Boots" Phrase Has a Meaning That Not Everyone Understands Right Away
Cute winter boots is a code phrase for important topics on TikTok.
Four Suspects Were Detained in Connection to TikTok Influencer Siyah’s Death
Siyah was 17 years old at the time of her January 2025 death.
The Spagetti Method Is Super NSFW, but It's Also Trending All Over TikTok
The method is definitely kinky, but not necessarily dangerous.
TikTok Users Who Deleted the App Might Be Able To Get It Back for a Hefty Price
Some eBay listings have starting prices in the thousands.
What Does CGV Mean on TikTok? About the Notifications Associated With It
"What did I do?"
Here's How To Block Facebook on TikTok and Why Some Users Believe It’s Important To Do
"Using my last breath on TikTok to block Facebook."
The TikTok Algorithm Feels Different to U.S. Users After They Returned to the App
TikTok went down for more than 12 hours for users based in the U.S.
Democrat Hashtags Seem to Be Blocked on Instagram, Prompting Outcry and Concern
"This is actually dystopian scary, I need to know what’s going on."
Reesa Teesa’s Book: From Viral Social Media Series to Page-Turning Book
From viral sensation to author, Reesa wild story, “Who TF did I marry” is completed with a tell-all book.
Attention American TikTok Users: Here Are the People Who Talked Smack About Us During the Ban
"It just feels ... off."
Meta Has Not Bought TikTok, Despite the Rumors You May Have Heard Online
Meta is not buying TikTok, and probably wouldn't be the first option.
TikTok Graveyard Keeps Memories Alive and Lets You Analyze Your App Activity
TikTok Graveyard lets you see how many TikToks you watched and how much time you "lost" on the app.
TikTok Is Back, but Not on Apple’s App Store or Google Play — Here’s Why
Many users who deleted the app on their phones can no longer access it after a 14-hour shutdown.
TikTok's Down Time Swept up a Number of Other Apps, Including Marvel Snap
The app was one of several that got caught up in the ban.
A VPN Might Help Bypass the TikTok Ban, but Additional Steps Are Required
"A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can't use TikTok for now."
Here's How You Can Change the Language on RedNote, If You're a New User
Unless you want to learn Mandarin...
Rednote Is Even More Popular Amid Tiktok’s Ban, but Its Terms and Conditons Are Tricky
RedNote quickly surpassed Meta in app downloads in the week leading to the Supreme Court upholding a new law for TikTok's ban.
Wait, Is Lemon8 the Next TikTok Replacement for Creators To Continue To Make Money?
Lemon8 could replace TikTok for some users after TikTok is banned.
Can a VPN Be Used to Get Around the TikTok Ban? It's Possible, but There Are Risks
VPNs provide additional layers of protection when browsing the web, so it's possible. But there are risks.
What Does “Fine Shyt” Mean on TikTok? The Slang Everyone’s Talking About
What does “fine shyt” mean on TikTok? Here’s the meaning behind the trending phrase that’s all over captions, memes, and videos.
TikTok Users Warn That RedNote Could Be Banned in the United States Next
RedNote is a China-based app similar to TikTok.
TikTok Star DKane Arrested in Shocking Incident Under Unsettling Circumstances
Onlookers described the scene as something "straight out of a movie."
The U.S. Is Not the First Country to Ban TikTok, but It Is the Biggest
The countries that have banned it are much smaller than the U.S.
Duolingo Hilariously TikTok Responds to RedNote Migration: "Raw, Next Question!"
"Mandarin phrases for beginners. Welcome TikTok refugee!"
Is Donald Trump Buying TikTok? Inside the Talks That Could Change Everything
President Donald Trump has expressed interest in saving TikTok from being banned — would he go as far as buying it to save it?
Realtor Lisa DuBois Tells TikTok Where To Play Hide and Seek in Her House Listings
Lisa DuBois sells real estate in Virginia and D.C.
Dax Is Claiming That He Bought TikTok, but Is There Any Truth to the Story?
The rapper has claimed that he reached a deal to buy the app.
“I’ll Let the Emergency Know” — Woman Left Baffled by Manager’s Two-Hour Shift Call Out Policy
"I'll let the emergency to let me know two hours in advance before it happens to me too."
American Users on RedNote Are Now Helping Chinese Users With Their English Homework
"This is how we build relations with China if our government's not going to."
New RedNote Users From the U.S. Are Having a Hard Time Going Live on the App
RedNote is a potential TikTok alternative.
“12 Days at a Time” — Man Blasts FB User for Complaining About Flight Attendant’s Onboard Luggage
"I think it's just you."
“Can’t Have No Baby Shower” — Pastor Makes Unmarried Pregnant Woman Apologize to Church
"We don't condone sin."
Melanie Martinez's Coloring Book Controversy Sparks Fury Over Imagery Some Say Depicts Child Abuse
"Of course it wasn't advertised to kids. Kids aren't into CSAM, adults are."
RedNote Might Be Some TikTok Creators' Best Shot at Keeping Their Content Going
RedNote is based in China with Mandarin as the primary language on the app.
TIkTok Users Are Downloading RedNote at Such High Level They Broke the App
The app is breaking because there are simply too many new users.
RedNote Users in China Welcome "TikTok Refugees" in the Form of American Users
RedNote is a short form video app based in China.
The "Chinese Spy" Meme on TikTok Is Both Hilarious and a Little Bittersweet
"My Chinese spy has stuck by me longer than both my marriages."
How to Make a RedNote Account: A TikTok Refugee's Guide to Starting Fresh
TikTok users are scrambling as they try to navigate RedNote.
TikTok Creators Are Jumping Ship to RedNote — But Can You Make Money on There?
Like other social media platforms, RedNote does have some monetization options.