Caught between the allure of Instagram’s polished posts and TikTok’s raw, unfiltered creativity? You are not alone! In the battle of social media giants, these two platforms dominate our screens, but TikTok has been stealing the spotlight recently, captivating millions with its dynamic and engaging content.
Whether you are looking to jump on the latest viral trend or simply deciding where to spend your scrolling time, this guide will reveal why TikTok could be the app that meets your needs and surpasses your expectations.
What is TikTok?
Imagine a platform where creativity knows no bounds and trends spread faster than wildfire—welcome to TikTok! Launched in September 2016 by ByteDance, TikTok has quickly risen to become a global sensation with over 1 billion active users each month.
Its journey started with Douyin, the app’s original version, which was launched exclusively for the Chinese market. Douyin garnered 100 million users and over a billion daily views within its first year, showcasing its massive appeal and potential. ByteDance saw the potential and expanded internationally in September 2017, rebranding it as TikTok for a global audience.
Douyin, TiTok’s original version
The real game-changer came in November 2017 when ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, a hit app among teens in the U.S. and Europe. The merger in August 2018 did not just expand TikTok’s reach—it supercharged it, creating a vibrant, international community that spans generations.
The hit app – Musical-ly
TikTok takes content creation to the next level with its dynamic and interactive features, leaving other platforms in the dust. Imagine having a treasure trove of tools at your fingertips—an extensive library of music snippets, sound effects, stickers, and filters that let you craft videos as unique as your imagination allows.
Here’s what makes TikTok truly irresistible:
- Duets: Ever wanted to collaborate with your favorite creators? TikTok’s Duet feature lets you do just that! With a split-screen format, you can add your spin to someone else’s video, creating a fun, collaborative experience that’s all about creativity and connection.
- Stitches: Take collaboration a step further by stitching your content with another video. Imagine this: a user shares a video about face wash for acne, and then a brand like Dermalogica jumps in with expert advice on the best ingredients to look for. This is not just content—it is a conversation, making every post more engaging and informative.
- Music and Sound Library: Whether you are setting the mood or jumping on the latest trend, TikTok’s vast audio library has you covered.
- Green Screen Effect and Visual Enhancements: With a variety of filters, stickers, and effects, you can transform your content or mimic what you admire from other creators.
- Video Replies: This is a great way to engage your audience and create an ongoing dialogue that keeps people coming back for more.
But there is more—TikTok’s secret sauce is its sophisticated algorithm. This tech marvel tailors your “For You” feed based on your viewing habits and interactions, offering a fresh, personalized stream of content that keeps you hooked. Beyond entertainment, TikTok has become a powerful tool for activism, brand marketing, and talent discovery. It is a platform where trends are born, voices are heard, and new opportunities are discovered. So, whether you’re here to watch, create, or connect, TikTok is redefining the social media experience, making it the go-to platform you didn’t know you needed.
What is Instagram?
Instagram was created in 2010 by the innovative minds of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Instagram quickly became a global sensation. Within just 24 hours of its launch, the app had 25,000 users hooked, and today, it boasts over 2 billion monthly active users. The app’s focus on mobile photography made it an instant hit, and within two years, Facebook (now Meta) acquired Instagram for $1 billion. Instagram started as a simple photo-sharing app, but it has evolved into a platform where influencers and everyday users alike can showcase their lives, talents, and businesses in a way that’s both personal and visually captivating.
Instagram features include:
- Live Rooms: To host a live stream with up to three creators.
- Instagram Reels: these are vertically-shot, 90-second clips that helps to show creativity.
- Instagram Stories: These are short-form videos and photos that disappear after 24 hours unless you save them to your highlights.
- Instagram TV (IGTV): This is Instagram’s long-form video platform, similar to YouTube.
- Collabs: The Collabs feature allows two accounts to co-create content, with the post appearing on both feeds or Reels.
- Shoppable Posts: Instagram Shopping allows you to tag products directly in your posts or stories.
Instagram’s evolution from a photo-sharing app to a multimedia powerhouse is remarkable. But while Instagram continues to innovate, TikTok has surged ahead, capturing the attention of a new generation and setting trends that even Instagram can’t ignore.
Reasons You Might Prefer TikTok Over Instagram
1. Simplicity and Creativity
TikTok stands out for its simplicity and creativity, making it more engaging and easier to use than Instagram. Central to TikTok’s uniqueness is its innovative use of soundtracks, a feature rooted in its predecessor, musical.ly.
Users can effortlessly reuse soundtracks from other videos, whether it’s a popular song, a voiceover, or a combination of both, with just two taps. This ease of access and integration makes spontaneous creativity possible and encouraged.
In contrast, Instagram’s process for adding sound to Reels is less intuitive and more cumbersome, requiring users to search for music or audio clips, which often disrupts the creative flow.
2. Your Content Has More Chances of Getting Viral
If you’re looking to make a splash and see your content go viral, TikTok is the platform to beat. Whether you’re a brand-new creator or a seasoned influencer, TikTok’s algorithm prioritizes content quality and relevance to the viewer, giving everyone an equal shot at viral success.
On TikTok, it’s not about how many followers you have; it’s about how engaging your content is. Even small accounts, such as dance videos or American sign language videos, can gain massive exposure overnight if they hit the right note with their audience. On the other hand, Instagram often requires a more established presence and a high level of engagement to see similar results.
3. Great Interactive Features for Audience Engagement
When it comes to keeping you hooked, TikTok doesn’t just follow trends—it sets them. TikTok is all about getting users involved in the fun, offering a constantly evolving range of features that spark creativity and interaction. Recently, TikTok rolled out some exciting new tools. For starters, TikTok’s interactive add-ons for in-feed ads are a game-changer. This enables users to participate in a personal and engaging immersive experience.
And then there’s the Sub-Only Live feature, which gives exclusive access to your favorite creator’s live stream—just for being a loyal subscriber.
TikTok’s Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature is another standout. With PiP, you can keep your favorite videos playing while you do everything else on your phone.
Let’s not forget the new video playback controls. This is a simple yet powerful feature that keeps you in control, offering a more tailored viewing experience.
And when it comes to making your audience feel heard, TikTok’s Q&A feature takes the crown. It turns every video into a two-way conversation, making it easy to engage directly with your fans.
Ofcourse, Instagram Stories allow for polls and questions, but TikTok makes interaction the heart of the experience, ensuring every question can lead to something bigger—like a full-blown conversation.
4. Proper Community and High Interaction with Followers
TikTok isn’t just about content—it’s about connection. TikTok thrives on building a strong sense of community and fostering genuine engagement between creators and their audiences. When you post on TikTok, it’s not just about uploading a video and hoping for likes. It’s about sparking conversations, igniting trends, and being part of a larger, dynamic community. As the graph shows, TikTok’s downloads surged dramatically in 2020, particularly during the global lockdowns, marking it as a top social media app with unparalleled traction.
TikTok doesn’t just win in downloads; it also excels in engaging its community. The numbers tell an impressive story when comparing TikTok’s engagement rates with Instagram’s. As the chart shows, TikTok’s average engagement rate increases with follower count, reaching an incredible 10.52% for profiles with over 10 million followers. On the other hand, Instagram’s engagement rates decline as follower counts rise, with the highest engagement rate only at 6.89% for accounts with 10k to 100k followers and dropping to 2.61% for those with over 5 million followers.
While Instagram remains a powerful platform for visual content and has its strengths in community interaction, the engagement rates suggest a more passive audience as follower numbers climb. TikTok’s dynamic features make followers feel like active participants rather than just viewers.
5. Customized Content Discovery
TikTok’s content discovery system is where the magic happens, and it’s one of the reasons the platform has seen such explosive growth. The app’s ability to personalize your feed—right down to the smallest detail—keeps users hooked in a way that other platforms struggle to match.
TikTok’s discovery feature is split into two main sections—the “For You” page and the “Following” page. The “For You” page is where the real fun begins. This is TikTok’s playground, where the algorithm serves up a never-ending stream of videos perfectly tailored to your tastes.
While Instagram’s Explore page also curates content, it’s often limited by who you follow and what’s popular within your network. On the other hand, TikTok is all about introducing you to new creators, trends, and ideas that you might never have stumbled upon otherwise.
6. Fun Trends and Challenges
When it comes to fun trends and challenges, TikTok stands in a league of its own. On TikTok, challenges often combine catchy audio, text, and movement—like choreographed dances or lip-syncs—that captivate users and encourage mass participation.
Instagram tends to rely more on photo-based trends and less interactive hashtags. While Instagram Reels have brought some of the TikTok-style fun to the platform, it doesn’t quite match the rapid-fire, community-driven nature of TikTok’s trends.
7. Appeals More to Gen Z
When it comes to connecting with Gen Z, TikTok is unmatched. This generation values authenticity, connection, and content that feels real—qualities that TikTok embodies. Unlike Instagram, which Gen Zers often see as too polished or “cringey” when it tries to mimic TikTok’s video style, TikTok thrives on its raw and unfiltered approach.
Gen Z appreciates that TikTok videos are meant to be watched with sound, adding a layer of immersion that Instagram struggles to match. On the other hand, they often scroll through Instagram in silence, preferring posts or muted videos that don’t demand their full attention.
8. Covers a Wide Range of Video Content Categories
TikTok’s appeal lies in its vast and diverse range of video content categories, making it a platform where users can find something that resonates with their unique interests. From entertainment and dance to fitness, beauty, and even DIY home renovations, TikTok has a category for everyone. The sheer variety ensures that users never run out of fresh and engaging content to explore. As of July 2020, the top content categories on TikTok each surpassed 1 billion views, with the “entertainment” category leading the pack, amassing 535 billion views under its hashtag.
9. Different Earning Methods for Creators
TikTok provides an array of monetization opportunities for creators, making it a versatile platform not just for entertainment but also for earning. Here’s how:
- TikTok Creator Next: This portal grants creators access to all monetization tools on TikTok.
- TikTok Creator Fund: Announced in July 2020, this fund started with $200 million and is expected to grow to $1 billion by 2023. Creators who meet specific requirements can earn money directly from TikTok based on their video views and engagement.
- Live Gifts and Video Gifts: Fans can support creators during live streams or regular video posts by sending virtual gifts that can be converted into real money.
- TikTok Creator Marketplace: This feature connects creators with brands for sponsorship deals. Brands can join freely, but influencers need to apply or be invited to participate.
- Influencer Partnerships: Businesses can grow their TikTok presence by partnering with influencers whose content aligns with their brand. These partnerships can drive significant visibility and sales.
- Selling Products via TikTok Shop: TikTok Shop allows brands to integrate e-commerce directly into the app. Creators can sell products through videos, live streams, or product showcase tabs, provided they meet the requirements.
- Affiliate Marketing: Creators can earn a commission by promoting products through affiliate links. It’s a simple way to make money without selling personal merchandise.
- Promotional Videos: If you have merchandise or services to offer, creating TikTok videos to showcase them is a direct and effective way to generate sales.
- TikTok Ads: Running ads on TikTok can drive traffic to your products or services, helping to increase sales and visibility.
- Premium Paid Content: Creators can offer exclusive content to followers willing to pay for premium access, adding another revenue stream.
- Referral Program: Even without posting videos or having followers, users can earn through the TikTok Rewards referral program by inviting others to join the platform.
While Instagram offers similar opportunities through brand partnerships and sponsored content, TikTok’s diverse and direct monetization options, like the Creator Fund, Live Gifts, and integrated e-commerce, provide a more comprehensive earning platform for creators at all stages.
10. Effective Advertising with Various Ad Formats
TikTok offers a dynamic range of ad formats, giving brands and creators multiple ways to reach their target audience effectively. Here’s a look at the different TikTok’s advertising options:
- In-Feed Ads: These are the ads that appear seamlessly within users’ “For You” feed.
- Brand Takeovers: This powerful ad format allows a brand to dominate the app for a day.
- TopView Ads: Similar to brand takeovers, TopView ads appear when a user first opens the app, but they allow for longer video content, up to 60 seconds.
- Branded Hashtag Challenges.
- Branded Effects: This playful and creative ad format enables brands to become part of the content creation process, fostering deeper connections with users.
- Spark Ads: This format allows brands to boost organic content created by themselves or other users.
- Carousel Ads: A newer addition to TikTok’s ad offerings, carousel ads allow brands to showcase up to 10 images within a single ad, providing a more comprehensive view of products or services. This format is ideal for e-commerce brands looking to highlight multiple items at once.
- Dynamic Showcase Ads: These ads are automatically generated and personalized for each user based on their behavior and preferences on TikTok.
- Playable Ads: This interactive format allows users to try out a game or app directly within the ad.
While Instagram also offers various ad formats, TikTok’s emphasis on interactive and immersive experiences sets it apart.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both TikTok and Instagram have their strengths, TikTok clearly shines with its dynamic and versatile offerings. Whether it’s the wide range of monetization options for creators, engaging ad formats, or its deep connection with Gen Z, TikTok has redefined social media to resonate with today’s digital audience. Instagram may have its place, but TikTok’s unique blend of creativity, engagement, and innovation makes it the platform to watch—and to be on! So, if you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, TikTok is where you need to be.
FAQs
Q1. Why is TikTok better than Instagram?
TikTok stands out due to its unique focus on short-form video content, fostering a highly engaging and creative community. The platform’s algorithm tailors content more effectively, ensuring users see videos that align with their interests. TikTok also provides creators with diverse monetization options, such as the Creator Fund, Live Gifts, and brand collaborations, allowing them to earn directly from their content. Additionally, TikTok’s emphasis on trends and challenges encourages active participation and keeps the content fresh and dynamic, making it more appealing to users, particularly Gen Z, compared to Instagram’s more curated, image-centric environment.
Q2. Which app is used more, TikTok or Instagram?
As of 2023, Instagram has overtaken TikTok in global downloads, with 767 million downloads compared to TikTok’s 733 million. Instagram also boasts nearly 1.5 billion monthly active users, while TikTok has just over 1.1 billion. However, TikTok users are more engaged, spending an average of 95 minutes daily on the app, compared to Instagram’s 62 minutes. While Instagram’s broader demographic appeal has boosted its popularity, TikTok’s rapid growth and the high level of daily activity from its users indicate that it is highly popular and increasingly influential.
Q3. Why is TikTok the best app?
TikTok offers more dynamic and engaging user experience due to its unique algorithm that personalizes content with remarkable accuracy, keeping users hooked with a feed tailored to their interests. While Instagram focuses on photos and polished posts, TikTok thrives on spontaneous, creative videos and viral trends, encouraging active participation and real-time interaction. Unlike Instagram’s traditional photo-centric approach, TikTok’s editing tools and music integration give creators unparalleled freedom to experiment. Additionally, TikTok’s emphasis on short-form video content resonates with Gen Z’s preference for authentic, unscripted interactions, whereas Instagram’s recent attempts to incorporate similar features feel less natural.
Q4. What made TikTok popular?
The app’s extensive range of creative tools, filters, and effects allows users to produce unique and entertaining short-form videos effortlessly. Its ability to spark viral trends and challenges encourages widespread participation, while features like duets and stitches enhance user interaction and community building. TikTok’s seamless integration of music and sound clips adds an extra layer of creativity, and its global reach connects users across diverse cultures. The platform’s strong appeal to Gen Z, who value authenticity and creativity, further fuels its popularity, making TikTok a standout in the social media landscape.
Q5. Is TikTok safer than Instagram?
TikTok has made efforts to address these issues by implementing stricter privacy settings, content moderation, and parental controls. TikTok also allows users to manage their privacy, such as controlling who can view and interact with their content.
Likewise, Instagram offers features such as account privacy settings and tools to report inappropriate content, but it has been criticized for handling online harassment and misinformation.
Overall, while TikTok’s recent efforts might make it seem more secure in some aspects, both platforms have their own strengths and vulnerabilities, and users should stay informed and proactive about their privacy settings on either app.
