TikTok’s prominence as a 2020 social media platform came as something of a surprise. An entertaining video app for lip sync battles and dance routines has exploded into a vast online universe where users share everything from their daily outfits to fitness routines, DIY projects, before and after photos, and more.

TikTok influencers may have recently taken the internet by storm, but Instagram was the undisputed king of channels for creators long before their rise to prominence. While both TikTok and IG saw increases in usage in 2020, TikTok’s growth was exponential.

Instagram is still, in many respects, the “place to be” for creators who wish to make content creation their full-time profession. However, TikTok shows promise as a leading competitor for aspiring influencers.

Where does TikTok diverge from Instagram?

In the realm of social media, Instagram’s four-year head start over TikTok can seem like a lifetime. During that time, Instagram completely revamped the concepts of social posting, online community, engagement, and influencer marketing.

In contrast to one another, these two systems are distinguished by their

As the leading social platform for short videos, TikTok has dominated the market.
TikTok and Instagram may seem similar at first glance, but there are significant differences between the two platforms’ algorithms, audiences, engagement, and social commerce.

Tone of material

Instagram allows users to share visual content in a variety of formats, with a particular emphasis on the “grid” layout. The Explore page and a user’s profile will both be affected by the new layout.

TikTok also has a better audio library and more sophisticated editing/filtering options than Instagram. To that end, TikTok gives priority to content created by amateur videographers.

Analysis of the target demographic

Instagram has a much more varied user base in terms of age and other demographics. In general, Millennials and older members of Gen Z prefer this medium.
But among young adults, TikTok continues to dominate as the most popular social media app. The app’s user base is representative of the youngest segment of online creators.

Internet-based social shopping

While TikTok has made great strides in e-commerce over the past year and a half, most of its features are still in beta. That being said, TikTok is a thriving influencer ecosystem that has enhanced link sharing to encourage users to act on promoted content.

In terms of social commerce, Instagram is still the current frontrunner. In-app purchases, premium PPC ads, swipe-ups on Instagram Stories, and branded augmented reality filters are just some of the many ways that Instagram facilitates e-commerce.

Marketing with influencers

Instagram’s longevity and social commerce prowess have made it the undisputed leader in the field of influencer marketing.

However, TikTok is a rapidly developing creator network with the most social media engagement options. TikTok goes beyond the typical social media fare of likes, comments, and shares. In their promotional efforts, creators often encourage users to use a variety of sharing methods, including (but not limited to) the following:

• Stitches
• Duets
• Problems with recording, storing, and using new sounds

Influencers and brands can more easily solicit user-generated content (UGC) for their sponsored posts with the help of these engagement features. TikTok’s user-generated content (UGC) potential makes it a promising platform for expanding reach and cultivating fan bases.

Differentiating themselves from other creators, what do successful TikTok influencers have in common?

Due to Instagram’s larger user base, where millions of people already have a thousand or more followers, content creators there have to put in more effort to attract new viewers. Influencers on Instagram typically have advanced photography and videography skills.

As a platform, TikTok calls for much less professional experience but much more creativity from its content creators. Using the app’s video recording and editing tools, successful influencers can hone their craft. Even though users have the option of uploading their own videos, the secret to success on TikTok is to become an expert at shooting from within the app on a mobile device.

The 5 main distinctions between TikTok and Instagram influencers

TikTok stars have mastered not only video, but also audio

Most content producers add their own soundtracks to prerecorded videos before uploading them. Instagram Reels, Stories, and IGTVs may not be best shot on a smartphone unless you are also recording your own audio.

TikTok, on the other hand, has its own massive audio library filled with soundbites, famous comedy sketches, top hits, and original tracks. Mobile audio editing and publishing tools have made it possible for creators to make instantaneous decisions about video soundtracks.

TikTok stars consistently publish more authentic, user-created content

Instagram is the superior platform for those who want to shoot and edit their vertically-formatted videos using high-quality, industry-standard tools. Content that has been refined is more likely to be successful and to fit Instagram’s aesthetic.

TikTok stars care more about user challenges and trends, according to the third point

Influencers focus on newer stitches, duets, and challenges because these videos perform better in the app’s top engagement options.

Fourth, TikTok stars should be a pro when it comes to the app’s editing and filtering functions

TikTok stars typically don’t have formal training in filmmaking. However, they almost always know every function of the app inside and out. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of using TikTok because of how intuitive it is.

In sum, working with genuine TikTok creators can introduce you to new and enthusiastic followers

The expectations of social media users in 2021 and beyond are being shaped by TikTok influencers. TikTok is on the cutting edge of social media content, as evidenced not only by the app’s meteoric rise but also by the launch of similar features like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

It’s not too late for your brand to capture entire audiences by enlisting these creators, as TikTok influencer marketing is still in its infancy. Your influencer campaigns will have massive reach and tonnes of user-generated content thanks to TikTok’s fantastic engagement features.