Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. Two of the most popular platforms are TikTok and Facebook. While both offer unique features and cater to different audiences, which platform is truly the best for users? In this article, we’ll compare TikTok and Facebook in-depth and help you decide which one is right for you.
What is TikTok?
TikTok is most likely the newest social media phenomenon to emerge. It was developed in China, where it is known as “Douyin,” although it is more often known as “TikTok” outside of China.
Chinese company ByteDance-owned TikTok, allows users to post looping videos up to 60 seconds long and short, humorous clips up to 15 seconds in length. It joined forces with Musical.ly, a platform where primarily teenagers could post music videos with lip-synching.
The younger audience found the video streaming platform TikTok highly entertaining, and as more experienced users started sharing their own videos and becoming influencers on the platform, the younger crowd lost interest. Currently, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media sites globally.
What is Facebook?
Facebook is a famous social networking platform that allows you the ability and flexibility to create communities and communicate with family and friends online. It facilitates communication with those you care about and are familiar with. It allows you to speak with them, keep yourself informed, and maintain contact.
Facebook started as a network for a small group of elite college students, then expanded to high schools and eventually to broader networks, connecting friends and classmates from all over the country. Finally, it went on to conquer the world.
Today, everyone, including grandparents, parents, siblings, and their spouses, is on Facebook. Even some of the world’s most recognizable and significant companies use Facebook to build profitable communities.
Algorithm’s Impact On Virality
Certainly, the algorithm of the social media platforms impacts the virality of the content. Let’s learn what TikTok and Facebook consider in the posts to make it viral.
TikTok
TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows users to create videos of themselves dancing, lip-syncing, and performing other creative content. Tiktok’s content is primarily geared toward younger audiences, and its algorithm is designed to promote engaging and entertaining content.
The algorithm of Bytedance’s video-sharing app TikTok considers factors such as user interactions, video information, and device and account settings to determine what content to show to each user.
On the other hand, Facebook is a social networking site that allows users to connect with friends and family, and share news, photos, and other types of content. Meta’s Facebook user base is more diverse in age and interests, and its algorithm is designed to show users content relevant to their interests and connections.
Ultimately, the choice between Tiktok and Facebook depends on your preferences and the content you enjoy consuming or creating. If you enjoy short-form video content and want to connect with a younger audience, Tiktok might be the better choice. If you prefer a more traditional social networking experience and want to connect with a broader range of people, Facebook might be the better option.
TikTok And Facebook’s Ads
Let’s compare Facebook and TikTok in terms of their marketing potential. The average costs for TikTok ads are $10.00 CPM (cost per mille) and $1.00 CPC (cost per click), whereas for Facebook, the average CPM is $7.00 and the CPC is also $1.00. While Facebook has a cost advantage, it’s important to note that these figures are not absolute, as factors such as industry, target audience, and bidding strategy can influence campaign costs.
When it comes to demographics, TikTok is popular among younger generations, with 41.7% of users aged 18-24, 31% aged 25-34, and just 24.1% aged over 35. In contrast, Facebook’s user base is more balanced, with 22.6% aged 18-24, 31% aged 25-34, and 41% aged over 35. Brands targeting Gen Z and younger millennials should consider TikTok, while Facebook offers a wider reach for those targeting a more diverse audience. Facebook has 2.96 billion monthly active users, compared to TikTok’s 1.2 billion.
Both platforms offer basic targeting options such as demographic, interest, behavior, and device targeting. However, Facebook offers more advanced options such as Custom Audiences, Lookalike Audiences, and Partner Categories. For a more detailed guide on Facebook targeting strategies, check out our post on “10 Facebook Targeting Strategies That Work (in a Privacy-First World).”
TikTok Vs Facebook Users
According to Data.ai, TikTok has an average of 1.6 billion global monthly active users in the first quarter of 2021, less than Facebook’s 2.9 billion. Young people have switched off Facebook entirely, with 18-to-24s spending as much on TikTok as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp combined.
TikTok’s algorithm to show the content based on interest has also become popular with children, with 16% of three- and four-year-olds viewing TikTok content and 29% of all children in the five- to seven-year-old age group. Celebrities with huge followings have also used the platform to communicate with their fans, driving their fan bases to shift from Facebook (and others) to TikTok.
TikTok And Facebook’s Security
TikTok stores American user data in the US and Singapore and claims it would not comply if the Chinese government requested access to data. Facebook, however, stores user data in multiple countries. Both platforms have implemented measures to protect user data, such as encryption and two-factor authentication.
Also, Read TikTok Project Texas.
TikTok’s privacy policy is straightforward and available on its website, while Facebook’s policy is complex and difficult for users to comprehend.
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