Foundation of ByteDance
ByteDance was founded by Zhang Yiming in Beijing, China. The company aimed to create platforms powered by artificial intelligence to deliver personalized content to users.
2012
2012
Launch of Toutiao
ByteDance launched its first product, Toutiao, a news and information content platform that uses AI algorithms to recommend articles and videos to users based on their interests.
2016
Introduction of Douyin
ByteDance launched Douyin, a short-video platform for the Chinese market. Douyin quickly gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and engaging content.
2017
Global Expansion with TikTok
ByteDance launched TikTok, the international version of Douyin, marking its entry into the global market. TikTok rapidly became a global sensation, especially among younger users.
2017
Acquisition of Musical.ly
ByteDance acquired Musical.ly, a popular lip-syncing app, and later merged it with TikTok to expand its user base and enhance its content creation capabilities.
2018
Merger of TikTok and Musical.ly
ByteDance merged TikTok and Musical.ly into a single app, retaining the TikTok name. This strategic move significantly boosted TikTok's popularity and user engagement worldwide.
2019
Launch of Lark
ByteDance launched Lark, an enterprise collaboration platform, to compete with other workplace productivity tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
2020
Introduction of BytePlus
ByteDance introduced BytePlus, a suite of AI-powered tools and services for businesses, allowing them to leverage ByteDance's advanced technologies for their own applications.
2020
Bytedance Valuation Soars
ByteDance's valuation soared to $100 billion, making it one of the most valuable private tech companies in the world.
2020
Controversy and Ban in India
ByteDance faced significant challenges as TikTok was banned in India, one of its largest markets, due to geopolitical tensions and concerns over data privacy.
2020
TikTok's Legal Battles in the US
ByteDance faced legal battles in the US as the Trump administration attempted to ban TikTok over national security concerns, leading to discussions about selling TikTok's US operations.
2021
Restructuring and New CEO
ByteDance underwent a major restructuring and appointed a new CEO, Liang Rubo, to lead the company as founder Zhang Yiming stepped down from daily operations.
2021
Launch of Pico Neo 3
ByteDance launched the Pico Neo 3, a VR headset, marking its entry into the virtual reality market and expanding its product portfolio.
2022
Expansion into Gaming
ByteDance expanded into the gaming industry by acquiring several gaming studios and launching new games, aiming to compete with established players like Tencent.
2023
Douyin Pay Launch
ByteDance launched Douyin Pay, a payment service integrated with Douyin, to enhance its ecosystem and compete with other digital payment platforms in China.
2024
Continued Global Growth
ByteDance continued its global expansion, investing in new technologies and markets, and solidifying its position as a leading player in the tech industry.
