Products

EMARKETER delivers leading-edge research to clients in a variety of forms, including full-length reports and data visualizations to equip you with actionable takeaways for better business decisions.
PRO+
New data sets, deeper insights, and flexible data visualizations.
Learn More
Reports
In-depth analysis, benchmarks and shorter spotlights on digital trends.
Learn More
Forecasts
Interactive projections with 10k+ metrics on market trends, & consumer behavior.
Learn More
Charts
Proprietary data and over 3,000 third-party sources about the most important topics.
Learn More
Industry KPIs
Industry benchmarks for the most important KPIs in digital marketing, advertising, retail and ecommerce.
Learn More
Briefings
Client-only email newsletters with analysis and takeaways from the daily news.
Learn More
Analyst Access Program
Exclusive time with the thought leaders who craft our research.
Learn More

About EMARKETER

Our goal is to unlock digital opportunities for our clients with the world’s most trusted forecasts, analysis, and benchmarks. Spanning five core coverage areas and dozens of industries, our research on digital transformation is exhaustive.
Our Story
Learn more about our mission and how EMARKETER came to be.
Learn More
Methodology
Rigorous proprietary data vetting strips biases and produces superior insights.
Learn More
Our People
Take a look into our corporate culture and view our open roles.
Join the Team
Contact Us
Speak to a member of our team to learn more about EMARKETER.
Contact Us
Newsroom
See our latest press releases, news articles or download our press kit.
Learn More
Advertising & Sponsorship Opportunities
Reach an engaged audience of decision-makers.
Learn More
Events
Browse our upcoming and past events, recent podcasts, and other featured resources.
Learn More
Podcasts
Tune in to EMARKETER's daily, weekly, and monthly podcasts.
Learn More

Marketing on TikTok

Separating Fact and Fiction About This Buzzy Short-Video App

Download
Share
About This Report
TikTok, the Chinese short-video app, is taking off in the US, India and elsewhere. It offers many unique marketing opportunities, such as the Hashtag Challenge, but marketers should take note of some risks.
Table of Contents

Executive Summary

There’s no question TikTok is enjoying a lot of buzz right now. But there are a lot of uncertainties about how many people use the short-video app, what advertisers can do with it, and what the opportunities and risks are.

How many people use TikTok and its Chinese version, Douyin?

TikTok and Douyin had 625 million smartphone monthly active users (MAUs) worldwide in August 2019, according to App Annie. A leaked pitch deck from TikTok puts the global user base even higher, however, at 800 million as of June 2019. The majority are in China, where Douyin had 500 million MAUs as of January.

Where is TikTok most popular?

India is the largest market, with 120 million MAUs in June 2019. The app is much smaller in the US, with 30 million MAUs in Q2 2019. It isn’t widely used in Europe or Latin America yet.

How are marketers using TikTok?

Businesses targeting the youth audience or that operate in the entertainment or consumer packaged goods (CPG) categories are the most active. Partnering with creators is a common activity. Some marketers have their own accounts, but the app’s unique tone and aesthetic make it challenging to develop appropriate content.

What ad formats are available on TikTok?

They include sponsored hashtag challenges, homepage takeovers and in-feed video ads. TikTok also has a third-party mobile ad network in some markets. Early advertisers have seen strong engagement from users, likely due to first-mover advantage.

What are the challenges and concerns for TikTok?

There are many, and they are wide-ranging. Because it is a Chinese-owned app, TikTok is facing questions about censorship and data privacy. Brand safety is another concern. And the app may struggle to keep users in the coming year if Instagram or Facebook start to offer similar features.

WHAT’S IN THIS REPORT? This report discusses the growth of TikTok around the world and what marketers should know about the Chinese-owned short-video app.

KEY STAT: In a September 2019 survey of US teens by YouGov, 2% said TikTok was the social platform they used most often.

Here’s what’s in the full report

3files

Exportable files for easy reading, analysis and sharing.

31charts

Reliable data in simple displays for presentations and quick decision making.

19expert perspectives

Insights from industry and company leaders.

Table of Contents

  1. Executive Summary
  2. TikTok in a Minute: Why It’s Getting All the Buzz
  3. Who’s Using TikTok?
  4. What Makes TikTok Tick as a Marketing Vehicle?
  1. How Is Advertising on TikTok Evolving?
  2. Advice and Best Practices for Using TikTok
  3. Key Takeaways
  4. eMarketer Interviews
  1. Read Next
  2. Sources
  3. Media Gallery

Charts in This Report

Interviewed for This Report

Emily Anthony
Merkle
Senior Director, Media Services
Interviewed September 19, 2019
Daryl Butler
Hewlett-Packard
Head of Marketing, US Consumer Personal Systems
Interviewed September 24, 2019
Dan Calladine
Carat Global
Head of Media Futures
Interviewed September 11, 2019
Liz Cole
Digitas North America
Vice President and Group Director, Social Strategy
Interviewed September 12, 2019
Alvin Foo
Reprise China
Managing Director
Interviewed September 16, 2019
Kory Marchisotto
e.l.f. Cosmetics
CMO
Interviewed October 3, 2019
Noah Mallin
Wavemaker US
Head of Content and Experience
Interviewed September 9, 2019
Simona Marmina
Mindshare
Senior Director, Paid Social
Interviewed September 12, 2019
Janica McCool
Hewlett-Packard
Region Lead, Americas Social Marketing
Interviewed September 24, 2019
Haley Paas
Carat USA
Senior Vice President, Head of Strategy and Insights
Interviewed September 10, 2019
Juhi Pikale
TechStyle Fashion Group
Senior Manager, Paid Social
Interviewed October 1, 2019
Caroline Smith
Seeker Media
General Manager, Chief Content Officer
Interviewed September 25, 2019
Casey Smith
Kroger
Social Media Manager, Influencer and Publisher Marketing
Interviewed September 26, 2019
Matt Steele
San Diego Zoo Global
Social Media Supervisor
Interviewed September 27, 2019
Arman Walia
Complex Networks
Director, Social Media
Interviewed September 18, 2019
Alex Weinstein
Grubhub
Senior Vice President, Growth Marketing
Interviewed September 20, 2019
Alysha Yuille
Carat USA
Vice President, Content
Interviewed September 10, 2019
Patrick Basler
Genius Media Group
Associate Social Editor
Interviewed October 16, 2019
Teresa Fardella
Genius Media Group
Head of Social Media
Interviewed September 16, 2019

authors

Debra Aho Williamson

Contributors

Alina Brentnall
Researcher, Europe
Matteo Ceurvels
Research Analyst
Man-Chung Cheung
Research Analyst
Blake Droesch
Junior Analyst
Jasmine Enberg
Senior Analyst
Jeane Han
Senior Researcher
Jennifer Pearson
VP, Research
Chuck Rawlings
Senior Researcher
Yoram Wurmser
Principal Analyst
Already have a subscription?Sign In

Access All Charts and Data

Gain access to reliable data presented in clear and intelligible displays for quick understanding and decision making on the most important topics related to your industry

Become a Client