Tiktok or Instagram - what is their difference? Should you use them for different purposes? Let's dive into this to find out 👇
TikTok and Instagram are two of the most popular social media platforms out there, and they can be used for a variety of purposes.
FUN FACT 🤯
Did you know that TikTok is the most downloaded Social Media App in Cyprus?
While both platforms are great for sharing content, there are a few key differences between them. Let’s review to find what are the similarities and distinctions between the two.
🌎 USER DEMOGRAPHICS
Understanding user demographics on social media platforms can be incredibly helpful for businesses and brands. On TikTok, the majority of users are between the ages of 16-24, while the majority of users on Instagram are between the ages of 25-34. Additionally, both platforms tend to be more popular among women than men.
🤳TYPES OF CONTENT
People often use Instagram to share their life experiences and showcase their interests, while TikTok is more focused on creating and sharing comedic, entertaining, or informative videos. On Instagram, people tend to be more serious and show their best side, while on TikTok, people are more likely to be silly and share their more casual side.
There are very different types of TikTok content that you can discover, however the most important idea for those bite-size videos is to be raw and authentic. An authentic and raw approach is key to creating awesome content for TikTok. People like to see content that is spontaneous and real. When creating content, make sure to keep it relevant to your target audience, and avoid over-editing it - it's all about the raw and unplanned looks! Keep it simple and be yourself!
Instagram’s content, on the other hand, prioritizes the visual aspect more. It is very typical for Instagram to value perfect lighting, composition, style, etc. It is no surprise, as the app’s original purpose was photo-sharing. Nevertheless, It's clear that with the rise of TikTok, Instagram has decided to shift their focus and prioritize videos over images on their platform. Overall, it's safe to say that Instagram is staying competitive in the social media world and adapting to the ever-changing trends.
💬 USER BEHAVIOR
It is interesting to observe how users behave differently on different social media platforms. It's definitely true that TikTok users tend to be more creative and engaged than users of other social media platforms. The platform encourages the kind of content creation that sparks conversations and brings new topics to light. To make the most out of TikTok, it's important to make sure the content is interesting and engaging. You should also be mindful of the language you use and the message you are conveying. When creating content, make sure it is platform-native. Doing so will help you create successful content that will encourage more engagement and reach more people.
On Instagram, users tend to be more focused on consuming the picture-perfect life with ultra-polished visuals. Instagram is a powerful platform for businesses and individuals to reach their target audience, but it is also true that engagement rates on the platform are lower than on TikTok. However, let’s not forget that Instagram also has content in formats other than a vertical video.
👪 AUDIENCES & COMMUNITIES
TikTok's audiences tend to be more niche and focused on specific topics, trends, and content types. This is exactly what the whole hype of a “community” is about. This can be beneficial for businesses and influencers who want to target a specific audience and create content that resonates with them. However, it can be more challenging to reach a wider audience. Instagram, on the other hand, is an amazing platform for reaching wider audiences.
💡RECOMMENDATION SYSTEM
TikTok’s “For You” page is comparable to Instagram’s “Discover'' page, except that it has a more elaborate and engaging algorithm. It is much more personalised to users’ interests. The user gets videos recommendations based on the algorithms’ AI analysis of the history of content interaction. Instagram’s “Discover” page, on the other hand, is a mixture of content. It’s also personalised to its users' behaviours and interests, nevertheless with less precision compared to TikTok. It is also tightly related with the communities and niches that TikTok’s audience is based on.
✅ WHICH CHANNEL IS THE BEST FOR YOU?
So, which Social Media Platform is perfect for you and/or your business? Here are a few factors to consider:
- Your Audience - Who are they? What are their interests? How old are they?
- Your Content - What is your goal? What is your Strategy? What content would you like to post?
- Your Branding - Are You Flexible to adapt and become platform - native? Or do you have strict guidelines?
TikTok is the platform for you if you want to make entertaining videos and share them with a niche audience. Instagram is a great choice if you want to produce beautiful content that inspires. It all depends on what you want to achieve, but both platforms are excellent for connecting with people and sharing your material. We do advise to use both to expand to a variety of audiences, but the key is to adapt and be platform-native.
Sources:
https://blog.planoly.com/tiktok-vs-instagram
https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok
https://socialbee.io/blog/tiktok-vs-instagram/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/
https://grin.co/blog/tiktok-vs-instagram-influencers/
https://www.statista.com/topics/6077/tiktok/#:~:text=As%20of%20January%202022%2C%2025,factor%20that%20contributes%20to%20the