There’s no doubt that TikTok is currently one of the hottest social media platforms around. With over 500 million active users, it’s hard to imagine anyone not using the app. But what exactly is TikTok? Is it a social media platform? A search engine? Both? Neither? Let’s take a closer look.

How TikTok Works

Unlike other social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, TikTok does not use hashtags to organise content. Instead, the app relies on an algorithm to determine which videos are shown to each individual user. This algorithm takes into account a variety of factors, including the type of content you’ve interacted with in the past, who you follow, and your location.

The result is that users are only shown content that TikTok thinks they’ll find interesting or entertaining. Furthermore, because of the way the algorithm works, it’s unlikely for users to find specific videos or creators on TikTok unless they already know about them.

Google vs TikTok

The intended use of each platform is different. Google was designed so users could find information on anything they wanted ranging from the history of tea cups to how often you should wash your car. On the other hand, TikTok was designed for entertainment purposes only. Although there is some educational content on the app, it’s not nearly as robust as what you would find on Google since that’s not TikTok’s main purpose.

So, Can TikTok Be Used as a Search Engine?

At its core, TikTok is a social media platform. It’s a place where people can share short videos of themselves lip-syncing, dancing, or just goofing around. But TikTok is also built on a powerful search engine that makes it easy for users to find the exact type of content they’re looking for. If you’re looking for something specific, all you have to do is type in a keyword or phrase and TikTok will show you the most popular videos related to your query.

Conclusion

So, what exactly is TikTok? It’s a social media platform that’s also powered by a search engine. This combination of features makes it easy for users to find exactly the type of content they’re looking for. Although it may not be as powerful or resourceful as Google, some users are turning to TikTok for their search queries as they don’t have that long attention span and TikTok provides quick and interactive answers.