Since it launched in 2016, TikTok has been downloaded two billion times. For the app, a triumphal entry into the social media market. The number of TikTok users – not just teenagers – continues to grow around the world, and so do the opportunities for businesses and professionals who can reach millions of people and create more brand awareness for their company.

In this article, we will talk about the most important TikTok stats and 10 TikTok trends to watch in 2022, to help you start the year on the right foot and use the social network to your advantage.

1. Brands and influencers, all on TikTok

Reading the word “influencer”, you probably immediately think of Instagram and YouTube. In recent years, however, influencer marketing has expanded to many social platforms, including TikTok.

TikTok is the fastest growing social network ever. Influencers around the world recognize its enormous potential. According to a recently published TikTok trends report, over a third (35%) of influencers say they have used the platform more frequently over the past year (Tribe Dynamics, 2020).

And that’s not all: Brands have also started paying more attention to TikTok. 35% of brands with an influencer and social media marketing strategy say they have a dedicated social network marketing team.

In the future, we will see more and more brands and influencers on the platform. This is one of the most important TikTok trends for 2022.

2. Social commerce

In 2022 we will see an increase in social commerce on the platform. It’s one of the coolest TikTok trends we’ve identified.

In late 2020, TikTok announced a partnership with ecommerce giant Shopify. The collaboration should enable Shopify merchants to reach the app’s massive audience (Forbes, 2020).

Additionally, sellers will be able to manage their TikTok campaigns directly within their Shopify account. This means that, in addition to creating and distributing content, companies will also be able to monitor the performance of their TikTok marketing campaigns and related metrics.

In the future, according to analysts, the buying process on TikTok will be optimized and consumers will be able to make in-app purchases.

And, to incentivize businesses, Shopify sellers receive $ 300 to use for their first TikTok campaign. An opportunity that many will not want to miss. That’s why social commerce will surely be one of the TikTok trends to follow in 2022.

3. Branded “Hashtag challenge”

If you’ve never heard of a hashtag challenge , be very careful, as this is one of the most popular TikTok trends of the moment.

Basically, a hashtag challenge works like this: a brand asks its followers to perform a particular task, capture everything in a video and post it on social media with a specific hashtag related to the brand itself. Although these are dynamics common to different platforms, it is on TikTok that the challenges have become popular.

Since this type of campaign has a high email database india potential for virality and therefore to increase brand awareness, companies – large and small – adopt them quite often.

Even Universal Pictures has caught on to this TikTok trend, using the branded hashtag #FindYourMagic to promote an upcoming movie. The result? More than 1.3 million “likes” , 19,000 attendees and 11,000 new followers (TikTok, 2020).

4. TikTok Ads: video ads

In 2019, web users spent nearly seven hours a week watching videos online, which is 59% more time than three years earlier in 2016.

Given the surge in demand, it’s no wonder companies have stepped up their video marketing efforts. According to 2022 video marketing statistics , the number of companies that added video to their marketing all indian email database strategy has increased: from 61% in 2016 to 85% in 2020.

In addition, TikTok launched the ” TikTok For Business ” platform in the summer of 2020, with the motto: “Do not create ads, create TikTok”, with the aim of encouraging more and more companies to use the app to promote own content, products or services.

In fact, TikTok is doing everything to encourage and help brands advertise on the platform. He also created the TikTok Business Learning Center , a new e-learning center for businesses where he offers guides, resources and advice on how to make the most of the platform.

If you’re really going to be successful on the social network, this is definitely one of the TikTok trends you need to keep an eye on in 2022.

5. Meme

Memes are now part of social media culture. TikTok is not an exception to the rule.

They are fun, engaging, easily digestible and shareable, which is also why they have become so popular.

The memes on TikTok are proof of this: the hashtag #memes has 130.4 billion views .

This TikTok trend has become so popular that it has even pushed the boundaries of the social network. TikTok meme compilations are now found around the web, including YouTube and Facebook. Accounts dedicated exclusively to the publication of TikTok memes have also been created on Instagram.

Do you want to ride the wave of TikTok in 2022? Keep an eye out for memes.

6. Remix: the new UGC strategy

UGC (User-generated content), or the strategy according to which brands reuse user-generated content, is not new ; on TikTok, however, now users also have a new tool to “recycle” content.

This strategy is called ” remix ” and is defined as “the art of taking existing formats, models or ideas and recreating them to express a user’s personality or ideas.” The remix has become increasingly popular in recent months, especially on TikTok (Talkwalker, 2020).

Thanks to the built-in editing features and tools on TikTok, users can unleash creativity with their content. Adding music to videos is only the first (essential) step. TikTok also offers AR effects to allow content creators to add interactive and engaging special visual effects to their clips.

The statistics show that the remix – in relation to platforms like TikTok – became exponentially more popular during the first lockdown: stuck at home without much to do, users looked for new ideas to vent their imagination and so they discovered the remix.

Experts believe this is just the beginning of this TikTok trend and expect it to grow even more in 2022.

7. Celebrities on TikTok

Given TikTok’s huge reach, the number of celebrities on the platform is steadily increasing.

From singers and actors to reality stars and even politicians, TikTok boasts some of the most prominent names on the international VIP stage such as Will Smith, Justin Bieber and Katy Perry.

The platform is especially popular with the younger generation (the so-called Gen Z in particular). Celebrities know the power and potential of TikTok and use it to engage their fans.

Some have even documented their experience with TikTok. The most famous case of all is perhaps that of Reese Witherspoon : last year, the actress posted a video of her (which went viral) in which her son teaches her how to use TikTok. Not only is Witherspoon on TikTok today, she also has 4 million followers.

8. New music on TikTok

One of the trends to watch in 2022 is the promotion of new music on TikTok.

In September 2020, TikTok announced the launch of a new feature, Stitch . This is a new editing tool that allows users to reuse content from other TikTokers. By selecting video clips up to five seconds long, users can integrate them into their own content.

Stitch was developed to encourage a new kind of collaboration between content creators on TikTok. According to experts, the first of its kind on social media.

That said, in the future it is very likely that we will see more artists, especially musicians, come to TikTok to advertise their music, merchandise and events. This is definitely one of the TikTok trends you need to know for 2022.

9. TikTok TV

TikTok, which has become popular for its short videos, has nothing to do with the programs we are used to consume on traditional television. However, considering the consistency and regularity with which new videos are published on TikTok, the two viewing experiences become almost comparable.

According to analysts, it is a winning strategy for brands on TikTok, as it takes advantage of the “cliffhanger” narrative device, that is, it entices users to want to consume content that will be published later. We can expect this TikTok trend to continue into the new year.

10. Authentic content

TikTok is proud of the real and genuine content available on the platform: TikTok marketing experts agree that authenticity is the formula for success on the social network. It is precisely this that has attracted – and continues to attract – millions of users.

And that’s exactly why content like “behind the scenes” videos are particularly effective for brands on TikTok. They allow viewers to take a look at the brand, get to know it “really” and, in a certain sense, have a direct rather than a filtered view of it.

Also according to analysts, these contents are particularly interesting for the youngest. Especially for Gen Z , who make up a good chunk of the audience on TikTok.