In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, TikTok has emerged as a juggernaut, captivating millions with its short-form videos and creative content. However, behind this global phenomenon lies a complex web of ownership and investment. Let’s delve into the net worth of the entities and individuals who own TikTok.
TikTok, initially launched by the Chinese tech company ByteDance in 2016, quickly gained traction, particularly among younger demographics. As its popularity surged, so did the value of ByteDance. With its headquarters in Beijing, ByteDance swiftly became one of the world’s most valuable startups, with estimates of its value reaching as high as $400 billion by 2021.
Zhang Yiming, the founder and former CEO of ByteDance, played a pivotal role in the company’s rise to prominence. As of recent estimates, Zhang’s net worth stands at approximately $44 billion, largely derived from his stake in ByteDance. However, Zhang’s decision to step down as CEO in 2021 marked a significant shift in ByteDance’s leadership structure.
In the wake of regulatory scrutiny and geopolitical tensions, ByteDance made strategic moves to distance itself from its Chinese origins. This led to the establishment of TikTok Inc., a separate entity responsible for managing the app’s operations outside of China. As a result, ownership of TikTok became more decentralized, with various stakeholders holding stakes in the company.
One of the notable investors in TikTok is Sequoia Capital, a renowned venture capital firm with investments in numerous tech giants. Sequoia’s early backing played a crucial role in fueling TikTok’s growth, and its stake in the company adds substantial value to its investment portfolio. While precise figures regarding Sequoia’s ownership stake are not publicly disclosed, its involvement underscores TikTok’s appeal to prominent investors.
Furthermore, global expansion efforts prompted TikTok to seek partnerships with established corporations to navigate regulatory challenges and gain access to new markets. In the United States, Walmart emerged as an unexpected player in the TikTok saga. In 2020, Walmart announced a partnership with Oracle to acquire a stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, aiming to leverage the app’s reach for e-commerce initiatives. While the proposed deal faced regulatory hurdles and was eventually shelved, it highlighted TikTok’s allure to retail giants seeking to tap into the app’s massive user base.
Another key player in TikTok’s ownership structure is Oracle Corporation, a multinational technology company specializing in cloud computing and enterprise software. Oracle’s involvement in the proposed TikTok deal underscored its interest in expanding its foothold in the social media landscape. Although the specifics of Oracle’s potential stake in TikTok remain uncertain, its engagement in negotiations exemplifies the strategic alliances forged in pursuit of ownership.
In addition to corporate entities, individual influencers and content creators have also played a role in shaping TikTok’s ownership landscape. As TikTok’s popularity soared, a new wave of digital celebrities emerged, amassing millions of followers and monetizing their content through brand partnerships and sponsored posts. While these influencers may not own a direct stake in TikTok, their contributions to the platform’s success have undoubtedly influenced its value and appeal to investors.
In conclusion, the net worth of TikTok’s owners encompasses a diverse array of stakeholders, ranging from tech titans and venture capitalists to retail giants and individual influencers. As TikTok continues to evolve and expand its global footprint, the intricate web of ownership reflects the dynamic nature of the social media landscape. Despite regulatory challenges and geopolitical tensions, TikTok remains a powerhouse in the digital realm, with its ownership structure reflecting the diverse interests and investments shaping its trajectory.
TikTok Releases 2023 Trend Forecast Report: What’s Next
TikTok has unveiled its 2023 Trend Forecast Report, titled “What’s Next,” shedding light on three pivotal trend forces anticipated to shape the platform in the coming year: Actionable Entertainment, Making Space for Joy, and Community-Built Ideals.
Actionable Entertainment encapsulates content that seamlessly merges entertainment with valuable insights and information, catering to users seeking both amusement and enlightenment.
Making Space for Joy underscores the significance of fostering an environment that prioritizes spreading joy and positivity, resonating with a global audience yearning for uplifting experiences amidst the complexities of modern life.
Community-Built Ideals spotlight the vibrant and diverse communities thriving on TikTok, acting as hubs that unite individuals with shared interests, passions, and beliefs, thereby fostering connection and collaboration across diverse demographics.
The report serves as a valuable resource for marketers, offering insights into evolving consumer preferences and behaviors, thereby equipping them with the knowledge needed to craft compelling and resonant campaigns that effectively engage TikTok’s dynamic and ever-expanding user base.
Most popular creators globally on TikTok as of November 2022
| Creators | Followers (Number of followers in millions) |
|---|---|
| khaby.lame | 153 |
| charlie d’amelio | 149 |
| bellapoarch | 92 |
| addisonre | 89 |
| zachking | 71 |
| kimberly.loaiza | 70 |
| cznburak | 65 |
| domelipa | 61 |
| MrBeast | 58 |
| dixie | 58 |
TikTok usage among Gen Z
Although TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are the three social media platforms most popular among Gen Z users, TikTok remained the most popular in 2021 with 63% of Gen Z users using it on a weekly basis.
A Gen Z user’s average weekly TikTok usage was 10.4 hours in 2021. In general, more people used Instagram than TikTok, even though the app was more popular among younger demographics.
Compared to men, more women than men used TikTok to produce content in 2021.
Social media usage worldwide
In 2021, TikTok recorded 740 million initial downloads, down from 980.7 million in 2020 and more in line with 738 million in 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased social media use, but TikTok’s YoY download growth wasn’t the highest.
The largest increase, of 524 million, occurred between 2017 and 2018. TikTok, which ranks seventh with one billion monthly active users, still trails other well-known social media sites. With 2.89 billion users, Facebook holds the top spot.
TikTok user behavior
Nine out of ten users (90%) of TikTok open the app multiple times a day, indicating daily usage.
Most users, in general, prefer watching videos and interacting with shared content to producing their own.
TikTok’s ad revenue
It is predicted that TikTok will earn $18.04 billion in ad revenue in 2023—a 55% increase over the previous year. With a 200% annual growth, the revenue reached $11.04 billion in 2022.
Analysts credit TikTok’s rise in popularity among teenagers as well as its emphasis on enhancing social commerce and in-app purchasing.
It is anticipated that the ad revenue will increase by 30.7% to reach $23.58 billion in 2024. The yearly income is expected to increase seventy times between 2019 and 2024.
1. Who owns TikTok?
TikTok, originally launched by ByteDance in 2016, underwent restructuring to separate its operations from its Chinese origins amidst regulatory scrutiny. This resulted in the creation of TikTok Inc., an independent entity managing the app’s operations outside of China, leading to a decentralized ownership structure with multiple stakeholders.
2. What is the net worth of Zhang Yiming, the founder of ByteDance?
Zhang Yiming, the founder and former CEO of ByteDance, holds an estimated net worth of around $44 billion, primarily attributed to his stake in ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
3. Which venture capital firm invested in TikTok?
Sequoia Capital, a prominent venture capital firm, has been a notable investor in TikTok, contributing significantly to the platform’s growth and highlighting its attractiveness to leading tech investors.
4. What was the proposed deal involving Walmart and Oracle regarding TikTok?
In 2020, Walmart and Oracle collaborated to acquire a stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, intending to utilize its large user base for e-commerce ventures. However, regulatory obstacles led to the deal being abandoned.
5. Who is TikTok’s target audience?
Gen Z is the primary target audience for TikTok (13-24 years old).