We spend more time on TikTok than YouTube, Facebook, or Netflix… But do we?
This Tubefilter story has been doing the rounds this week. It’s a killer stat, but let’s look beyond the headline. The article is based on findings from an analytics firm. Data is mobile only and, crucially, Android only.
I’m not taking anything away from TikTok. The platform has shown stellar growth. In the U.S. people who use Android phones now spend an average of 24.5 hours on TikTok per month, compared to 22 hours per month on YouTube. In the UK, users spend around 26 hours a month on TikTok, compared with around 16 a month on YouTube.
But mobile isn’t the primary destination for SVOD services. YouTube generates vast eyeball numbers from desktop, connected TV, gaming consoles, and other devices. The moral: always look beyond the headline and dig into the detail.
TikTok clones Cameo
TikTok is working on a feature enabling creators to charge fans for custom videos. Sounds like Cameo? That’s because it is like Cameo. Instagram is also working on a feature that would let its creators charge for customer content, which is not to be confused with similar products already available at YouTube.
TikTok to robo-block porn
TikTok is automating the blocking of videos that violate its policies. The social network says the new system removes content including nudity, sexual activities, or violence. This will free up time for its safety team to focus on more nuanced content areas, like hate speech, bullying and harassment.
TikTok wants to be LinkedIn
As Instagram becomes more like TikTok, and TikTok becomes more like YouTube, YouTube becomes more like Twitch and TikTok. But now TikTok wants to be LInkedin as well? What a time to be alive!
“With the rise of career and job-related creative content, TikTok believes there's an opportunity to bring more value to people’s experience with TikTok by enhancing the utility of the platform as a channel for recruitment” runs the announcement. ‘TikTok Resumes’ is a pilot program designed to continue expanding and enhancing TikTok as a new channel for recruitment and job discovery.
YouTube to help viewers discover creators with discovery feed
YouTube is introducing a video discovery feed it hopes will help viewers discover creators or content that is new to them, and help them explore beyond their typical recommendations. The feed, called New To You, is different from YouTube’s Explore page because it’s personalized to each user, and suggests a range of content they haven’t seen before, but will likely be interested in based on their activity.
Net neutrality back on agenda
US President Joe Biden has pushed to restore net neutrality protection - so as to prohibit the blocking, throttling, or paid prioritization of web traffic - that was repealed by President Trump's FCC. A White House fact sheet details more (though you may wish to Ctrl + F to find the relevant section - it’s a long read).