skip to main content
Becca on TikTok

A beginner’s guide to TikTok

TikTok is the talk of the town right now. Everyone has something to say about it, whether it be about the latest trends, the most recent controversy, or how to advertise on TikTok.

Today we’re going to be covering the basics, to help you understand more about how the app works and who TikTok’s primary audience is.

Who is TikTok’s primary audience?

The primary audience on TikTok currently is 13-24-year-olds. TikTok is a great way to target generation Z.

How many people are using TikTok?

There are currently 800 million global users (although this is fluctuating as some countries including India have recently banned the app) and 5.4 million users are just in the UK.

How long do users spend on the app?

On average, users are spending 53 minutes on the app every day! That’s huge. Think about all the apps we’re using on a daily basis, and how many things require our attention, yet we’re still making time for TikTok. Who thinks it’s these 53 minutes happen when people are attempting to go to bed? I do!

How does the TikTok algorithm work?

As you scroll through the app, the algorithm will begin to learn more about you. Your feed will start to change depending on which videos you watch in full, which you swipe past, which you’re commenting on and liking, plus who you’re following.

Source: VEED

What content can you expect to see on TikTok?

The content you see on your ‘For You’ feed, will depend heavily on what you’ve engaged with previously, but some of the most common content types can include:

  • Lip syncing
  • Tutorials
  • Dances
  • Cooking videos
  • Storytimes
  • Pets

How can I use TikTok in my social media strategy?

At the moment many brands are unsure if they should be using TikTok in their social media strategy or not. The best way to find out is to have someone in your team download the app and give it a go. Search for others in your industry and see how they’re doing. Many companies use TikTok has a brand awareness tool, used to show off behind the scenes content and company culture. The other avenue to explore is advertising on TikTok. We’ll delve into this further in a future blog post.

For now, download the app and have fun! I’m on TikTok @beccasocial sharing more TikTok tips daily, come and say hello!

Need even more? Watch me chatting about TikTok in this recent episode of Tech Tuesdays:


I’ve got plenty to say

View my other articles and opinion pieces below

Thought leadership strategy: putting your team’s expertise on your clients’ radars

“Thought leadership” has become an essential part of B2B marketing. Ever since Google’s helpful content update, it’s been more important than ever for your organisation’s team members to be producing high-quality, informed content in their areas of expertise.  What is thought leadership? Articles, LinkedIn posts, blogs, videos – all of this comes under that umbrella. […]

Maximising multi-marketing success in paid social campaigns

Understanding multi-market paid strategies is crucial to the success of any social media marketing campaign. I recently had the opportunity to speak at the International Social Summit in Barcelona, collating experiences from the past year to share some advice for organisations planning their own paid campaigns across multiple regions. The Problem Running a multi-market campaign […]

Rebecca sharing her insights at the International Social Summit

Why are so many users choosing TikTok search over Google?

When it comes to B2B social media marketing, few platforms are more misunderstood than TikTok. These misconceptions can lead to one of the most exciting platforms in social media marketing being written off by B2Bs – and huge opportunities missed. If you don’t take TikTok seriously enough, you will miss out to the businesses that […]