In the last few years, TikTok has transformed from the sound of a clock to the app of the moment. Originally named “Douyin,” it was launched by its Chinese parent company ByteDance in 2016 as a platform for posting short videos. The app found its niche two years later when it merged with Music.ly, another popular app used for sharing lip syncing videos.TikTok’s popularity exploded in 2020, when worldwide lockdowns prompted people to look for low-budget creative outlets. Since then, TikTok has gained millions more as followers while maintaining the same DIY aesthetic. Its primarily young audience has ensured that unlike its more established competitors, TikTok feels more like a house party than a business meeting.

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