In just a few short years, TikTok has grown from a relative unknown to one of the biggest social media platforms in the world. As a TikTok marketing expert, you’ve likely seen firsthand how quickly the app has risen to prominence, especially among Gen Z users.
But TikTok has even bigger plans for the future as it aims to further expand its massive userbase and capitalize on new revenue opportunities. TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is incredibly ambitious and has been aggressively pushing TikTok’s growth.
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What are the future plans of Tik-Tok?
TikTok is focused on expanding its ecommerce features, allowing more brands and influencers to directly sell products through the app. It also plans to further personalize recommendations using artificial intelligence.
TikTok aims to better compete with rivals like Instagram and YouTube through more advertising tools for businesses. It will likely explore opportunities like livestreaming, longer form video, and music integration.
Overall, TikTok wants to create an all-in-one platform for entertainment, shopping, and social connection.
Expanding TikTok’s Global Reach Even Further
Though TikTok already has over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide, there are still major markets where it is seeking more growth. As a TikTok expert, you know the platform has seen massive adoption in the US, Europe and elsewhere, but user numbers in some regions lag behind.
TikTok is pouring resources into localizing and customizing the app for new markets, especially large developing countries. For example, analysts predict strong growth potential in populous markets like India, Indonesia, Brazil and throughout Africa.
To support growth in new regions, TikTok is adding more language options. Right now the app supports around 75 languages – impressive, but still below Facebook’s 111 languages. Expanding language support will help TikTok broaden its global userbase.
Attracting More Creators With New Tools and Monetization
The diverse variety of captivating short-form videos is a huge part of what makes TikTok so addictive. To keep feeding this content beast, TikTok aims to attract even more creators to the platform.
As a TikTok marketing expert, you know creators have been vital to the app’s success. Now, TikTok is building more analytics, editing tools and monetization features to empower creators. For example, TikTok is testing Creator Next, a new suite of analytics to help creators understand their audience and optimize content.
TikTok is also expanding its creator fund initiatives. These programs pay creators for top performing videos, with payouts based on factors like views and engagement. By compensating creators more for viral hits, TikTok hopes to incentivize more high-quality content.
Marketing Towards Under-Served Demographics
While TikTok has become ingrained in youth culture, it now wants to expand beyond just Gen Z users. TikTok has huge potential to grow among older demographics who use social media less.
As a TikTok expert, you know the platform has begun marketing more towards users in their 30s, 40s and beyond. It has rolled out ad campaigns targeting moms, families and older users. TikTok is touting how its fun, short videos can “make your day better – no matter who you are.”
We’ll likely see TikTok further cater towards currently under-represented demographics like women, couples and middle-aged users. Expanding beyond its initial core Gen Z base could supercharge TikTok’s already massive user growth.
Capitalizing on E-Commerce and Advertising
As its popularity has skyrocketed, TikTok has also started focusing more on revenue streams beyond just advertising. Two major initiatives are TikTok Shop and TikTok Live Shopping which integrate social commerce directly into the app experience.
Building a Robust Ad Business
As a TikTok ecommerce expert, you likely know that advertising is still the main way TikTok monetizes its platform. TikTok has rapidly built up its ad business and given brands new creative formats like TopView and Branded Hashtag Challenges.
But TikTok is just getting started. Analysts predict its ad business will grow over 300% by 2024. To support this, TikTok is rolling out more ad types like branded AR effects and further optimizing its vertically-scrollable video feed for mobile ads.
TikTok is also improving ad targeting and analytics to make it easier for businesses to measure ROI. As it expands its self-service ad platform, TikTok wants to become a no-brainer advertising choice for brands.
Launching In-App Ecommerce With TikTok Shop
Over the past year, TikTok has begun testing TikTok Shop, a new commerce experience that allows brands to list products on their profiles. Users can then browse and purchase these items without leaving the TikTok app.
It’s still in the pilot phase, but TikTok Shop demonstrates the platform’s massive potential for social commerce. As a TikTok ecommerce expert, you know TikTok’s immersive, addictive videos lend themselves perfectly to shopping.
TikTok is also exploring livestream shopping with TikTok Live Shopping. Brands and influencers can livestream to show and sell products in real-time. Live shopping events have seen huge success in China and TikTok will likely bring this popular format to new regions.
More Brand Collaborations and Influencer Marketing
TikTok will keep making it easier for brands to leverage its unique creative content. As a TikTok marketing expert, you know companies are still experimenting with how to best use viral TikTok formats like challenges and effects.
To guide brands, TikTok is building out its TikTok for Business platform with more educational resources. It’s also facilitating more influencer marketing partnerships.
TikTok influencers have massive reach, especially among coveted young demographics.
TikTok wants to become the #1 platform for brands to collaborate with creators and run viral campaigns.
Becoming a Leader in Culture and Entertainment
Beyond social media, TikTok also has broader ambitions to become a force in entertainment, music and culture. This provides TikTok with additional revenue opportunities while also potentially attracting more users.
Investing in Music and Emerging Artists
As a TikTok expert, you know music is an essential part of the app’s identity. TikTok has become a launchpad for songs to go viral and turn into massive hits. Seeking to displace players like Spotify and Apple Music, TikTok is now investing heavily in music through licensing deals with major labels like Sony and Universal. It is also testing TikTok Music, a proposed streaming music service.
TikTok also wants to help promote emerging artists. The platform has amplified the careers of creators like Lil Nas X. Identifying and spotlighting promising new talent first helps TikTok maintain its cool cred with young users.
Educational Content and Learning Opportunities
Beyond just viral dances and challenges, TikTok also wants to expand into informational learning content. TikTok is filled with experts sharing advice on topics ranging from chemistry to personal finance.
TikTok is investing in educational creators through a $50 million fund to pay top creators making helpful how-to style videos. It is also organizing content into Learning Paths focused on cooking, finance, STEM subjects and more.
Positioning itself as a destination for self-improvement could help attract older users not on TikTok yet. Informational content also provides additional watch time and potential revenue streams.
Hosting Live Events and Interactive Shows
As TikTok livestreaming grows in popularity, the platform is gearing up to host major in-app events. For example, TikTok recently streamed a live comedy from the Laugh Factory. It has hinted at future concerts, talent shows and more.
TikTok wants to become known for creating viral user-generated moments and interactions. It is building interactive participation features into live events. Unique live experiences also help TikTok lock in users, since these events can only be viewed inside the app itself.
Big in-app shows and concerts will help TikTok take on platforms like Twitch and Instagram Live.
FAQs
TikTok aims to overtake platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube in users and engagement. It sees these apps as its main rivals.
Will TikTok launch its own music streaming service?
Yes, TikTok is testing a new music streaming app called TikTok Music to compete with Spotify, Apple Music and others.
How is TikTok making money right now?
Currently TikTok makes money primarily through advertising. It shows ads in its video feed and offers brands ad products like TopView and Branded Effects.
Does TikTok pay creators?
Yes, TikTok launched creator funds that pay creators based on views and engagement for top performing videos. This incentivizes creators to make more content.
What countries does TikTok want to expand in?
TikTok is focused on growth in developing markets like India, Brazil, and throughout Africa and Southeast Asia where its app usage lags behind competitors.
Will TikTok launch original shows and concerts?
Yes, TikTok plans to host major live events like concerts, comedy shows, and talent competitions to bring unique live experiences to the platform.
Conclusion
TikTok has multiple ambitious initiatives planned to expand its massive userbase and become the top platform for entertainment, e-commerce and advertising. As a TikTok expert, you can see how TikTok is rapidly evolving with new features and monetization options.
Key takeaways include TikTok localizing for international growth, building creator tools, expanding into older demographics, rolling out TikTok Shop, improving ads, investing in music and culture, and hosting exclusive live events.
TikTok’s parent company ByteDance is pouring resources into dominating the social media landscape for years to come. Other platforms should definitely take notice of TikTok’s relentless growth initiatives. But for marketers, you can see how TikTok presents phenomenal opportunities to creatively engage young audiences.
The platform still needs to address data privacy concerns and moderation challenges. But by constantly innovating and enhancing the user experience, TikTok aims to be the app everyone is using in the near future. As a TikTok expert and marketer, it will be exciting to see.
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