Free video-creation and sharing

TikTok is a free social and communication application for creating, editing, and sharing videos. While ByteDance developed it for the Chinese market on Android and iOS in 2016, it steadily gained popularity worldwide. You can also use the software on a PC by downloading the file and installing it on a mobile emulator.

A popular program for sharing videos

Before TikTok existed, Muscial.ly dominated the social media lip-syncing video market. Launched in China in 2014, the mobile app lets members create short videos for up to one minute while singing or performing music. It became an instant hit with teenagers who wanted to showcase their talent or share random funny stuff, like a quiz that reveals which Star Wars character you are or short clips that dive into cultural differences between countries.

ByteDance sought to compete with Muscial.ly. Branded initially as Douyin for the Chinese market, the developer renamed it TikTok to appeal to international audiences. It succeeded on mobile devices that ByteDance bought Muscial.ly in 2017 for $800 million.

Both applications are available for free under the TikTok label. It has widespread appeal with its addictive features, with 40% of the members located in China and a further 20% in India. In 2019, the number of United States TikTokkers reached 14 million.

The application has evolved to more than mere entertainment for social sharing. While its primary purpose remains short-form videos for teens and adults alike, businesses have used it to advertise developers, publishers, and other parties in the musical industry. Even the sports sector has jumped on the bandwagon, and users can see the NFL leveraging this app to highlight game events and celebrity cameos.

When was TikTok made?

The origin of TikTok dates back to 2016, when ByteDance, a Chinese company, introduced an app called A.me. This app enabled users to create and share short videos. After three months, it was rebranded as Douyin. Subsequently, in 2017, ByteDance expanded the reach of Douyin beyond China, launching it globally under the name TikTok.

How to install and use TikTok 

While most members enjoy using the smartphone app, not all devices can handle it due to cell phone specifications or low memory and storage space. To overcome this challenge, you can download the TikTok file to your PC and use it on a mobile emulator. Bluestacks is a great option, running on Windows and Mac operating systems.

Find the file you downloaded once the appropriate program is installed and working. Bluestacks lets you integrate and run valid files in its client lobby. Once you’ve installed the APK file in the emulator, you can create a new account or access your current one after starting the app.

You’ll have access to the same functions and new features the developer releases. The only difference is how you load new content because you won’t be able to take videos like you would with a smartphone. The videos won’t save to your PC but to the Bluestacks media folder in the client software.

TikTok safety considerations

It hasn’t been sunshine and roses all these years for ByteDance. Many countries and organizations have banned TikTok from time to time due to security considerations. Since there are few restrictions on what you can share with the community, the most extensive anxiety lies with parents worrying about the safety of their children.

The developer hasn’t stood still, though, addressing many of the highlighted dangers of this program, such as hackers breaking through its security protocols to access personal information. There are more stringent security measures in place to protect accounts.

Despite these reactive steps, many members still cite concerns regarding the video-sharing social application—ByteDance’s attempts to adhere to the Network Enforcement Act known as Netzdg with a detailed Safety Center page. If you have any significant issues, you can register a report for a violation on its site if you follow the complaint’s terms and conditions.

Comparison with similar apps

Also developed in China, Likee expanded its reach in 2020 by combining forces with Believe Digital, a massive music industry leader. It’s one of ByteDance’s biggest rivals, hosting most of the same features with additional special effects. However, many creators seem Likee as a TikTok clone with ripped content.

Instagram is a well-known photo-sharing application that has advanced into video development with its new Reels feature. Unfortunately, it’s only entered the market with this tool recently, so it still has a long way to go before it can be up to par with TikTok. The video-creation function also gets lost amid Instagram’s other content.

Of course, any application that lets you create and share videos must stand the test of time against YouTube. With the ability to develop hours of content in one video and share it live, TikTok falls behind with the wide variety of YouTube features. When it comes to lip-syncing and related effects, TikTok takes the trophy.

Why TikTok is so addictive

The video-creating and social-sharing application’s popularity boils down to the myriad of old and new features. First, many members praise its algorithm that detects what you enjoy watching and then adjusts future content on your feed. The long list of trending views based on your preference makes videos easy to access, increasing the addiction to the app.

The short length of the videos is appealing since you can watch several of them within a few minutes. It’s perfect if you don’t have time to watch a full-length video, which is why brands that advertise developers and services love the software. Creating video memes for fresh daily content is also entertaining for creators.

How can I watch TikTok without an account?

Despite encountering certain limitations and restrictions when it comes to accessing and viewing TikTok content, there exists a way to watch TikTok videos without creating a profile or having an account. To achieve this, you can easily visit the official TikTok website by typing TikTok – Make Your Day into the search bar of your preferred web browser. Upon reaching the website, you can ignore any prompts to create an account or log in and instead click on the For You icon. This will allow you to enjoy the trending videos of the day.

TikTok is testing an AI chatbot

TikTok has recently embraced the integration of AI into its platform by introducing its own AI chatbot named Tako. This chatbot is specifically designed to assist users in discovering engaging and motivational content on the app. By interacting with Tako, you can inquire about specific videos you’re viewing or seek recommendations to explore fresh content.

Moreover, Tako will present suggested prompts to facilitate initiating a conversation with the chatbot. It is important to note, however, that Tako is an experimental AI chatbot, and its responses may not always be entirely accurate. Additionally, Tako is currently in the early stages of testing chatbot tools and is only available to a few users in the Philippines.

Video creation and sharing from your PC

TikTok has reached worldwide acclaim with its short video, letting you share across other applications like Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram. While there have been some security and safety concerns over the years, it hasn’t stopped teenagers and adults from taking full advantage of lip-syncing to the hottest hits. ByteDance takes these complaint terms to heart while also addressing Netzdg policies.

There are plenty of special effects and music for you to enjoy. The latest features will also assist brands with expanding their reach with the ability to customize videos to their needs.