Foundation of ByteDance
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, was founded by Zhang Yiming in Beijing, China. The company initially focused on developing AI-driven content platforms.
2012
2016
Launch of Douyin in China
ByteDance launched Douyin, a short-form video app, in China in September 2016. The app quickly gained popularity among Chinese users.
2017
Introduction of TikTok Internationally
In September 2017, ByteDance launched TikTok for markets outside of China. The app was designed to be a global version of Douyin.
2017
Acquisition of Musical.ly
In November 2017, ByteDance acquired the popular lip-syncing app Musical.ly for nearly $1 billion. This acquisition helped TikTok expand its user base, particularly in the United States.
2018
Merger of TikTok and Musical.ly
In August 2018, ByteDance merged TikTok with Musical.ly, integrating the features and user bases of both apps into a single platform under the TikTok brand.
2018
TikTok's Rapid Growth
Following the merger, TikTok experienced explosive growth, reaching 500 million active users worldwide by mid-2018.
2019
TikTok Becomes the Most Downloaded App
In 2019, TikTok became the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store, surpassing established platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
2020
Global Popularity Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok's user base surged as people turned to the app for entertainment while staying at home. The app reached 2 billion downloads globally by mid-2020.
2020
Launch of TikTok for Business
In June 2020, TikTok launched TikTok for Business, a platform designed to help brands create and manage their marketing campaigns on TikTok.
2020
U.S. Government Scrutiny
In August 2020, the U.S. government, citing national security concerns, issued an executive order to ban TikTok unless ByteDance sold its U.S. operations. This led to negotiations with several American companies.
2021
TikTok Reaches 1 Billion Monthly Active Users
In September 2021, TikTok announced that it had surpassed 1 billion monthly active users globally, marking a significant milestone for the platform.
2021
In October 2021, TikTok introduced TikTok Resumes, a feature allowing users to apply for jobs using short video resumes, aimed at connecting employers with Gen Z talent.
2022
Introduction of TikTok Stories
TikTok began testing TikTok Stories, a feature similar to Instagram Stories, allowing users to post ephemeral content that disappears after 24 hours.
2023
Expansion into E-Commerce
In 2023, TikTok expanded its e-commerce capabilities, introducing TikTok Shop in more markets to allow users to purchase products directly through the app.
2024
TikTok's Continued Innovation
By 2024, TikTok continued to innovate with new features and partnerships, maintaining its position as a leading social media platform and cultural trendsetter.
