Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is considering buying TikTok - he recently floated the idea at a dinner with a group of potential partners. A proposed legislation may force ByteDance to sell TikTok or have it banned from the US. There are concerns that ByteDance may share data about its users with the Chinese government or use the platform to influence US citizens' political opinions. The bill will be voted on by the full House on Wednesday, after which it will move on to the Senate.

The latest TikTok app APK contains strings that mention a standalone app called TikTok Photos. TikTok appears to be considering offering a more dedicated photo experience that will allow users to sync their existing photo posts from the main TikTok app. There is no official launch date and TikTok has not confirmed the existence of the app. A leaked icon for the app is available in the article.

AI advancement poses a significant threat to the adtech industry, with its ability to filter out ads, potentially reducing the $1 trillion in annual revenue that companies like Google, Meta, and TikTok currently enjoy. This series explores how AI disrupts the crucial ad inventory by appealing to consumers' desire for ad-free content and questions the stability of Big Tech's business models. The analysis delves into AI's effects on ad consumption, which has implications for major players like OpenAI, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, and Alphabet.

Tech giants, including Google, Apple, and TikTok, are preparing to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as it comes into effect in the European Union. The DMA aims to promote interoperability and consumer choice, particularly among designated gatekeepers like Google and Apple. While some companies express concerns about potential risks and impacts on user experience, others like TikTok are contesting their gatekeeper status while implementing mandated changes.

Ray Cao, the head of product strategy and operations for monetization at TikTok, discusses TikTok’s internal culture, how it rolls out to new markets, and lessons from building its early go-to-market team. He recommends that startups looking to advertise on TikTok begin by establishing an organic presence, test content, and then gradually transition to targeted ads. A transcript of the interview is available.

Congress wants to force TikTok to part with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, amid concerns over national security. Despite strong bipartisan support in Congress and President Biden’s endorsement, the fate of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act remains uncertain. TikTok pushed back with a mass in-app message to US users last Thursday morning, complete with a button for calling their representatives. If the bill does become law, Apple’s App Store and Google Play will not be able to legally distribute the app in the US.

This report from TikTok provides insights into how women use the platform and discusses how to integrate these insights into effective marketing strategies. It focuses on user sentiment, ad effectiveness, and creativity. The report also explores themes such as women's storytelling across generations, the platform's impact on self-discovery, and changing definitions of authenticity.

TikTok is reportedly developing a new photo-sharing app amidst potential US ban concerns. TikTok Photos is supposed to be a brand-new app focused solely on sharing photos, diverging from TikTok's short-form video format. Strings within the TikTok app for Android suggest that it aims to connect users who enjoy photo posts and will allow syncing between the two platforms. No official launch date has been announced.

Creator Search Insights, a new analytics element on TikTok, gives creators insight into topics people are searching for on TikTok. Creators can see which topics are most popular based on a popularity score or the Recommended Topic label next to the search term. TikTok is also building “search value” into its Creator Rewards Program calculations, enabling creators to increase their payouts by uploading videos that align with search trends.

Small businesses are worried about losing a vital marketing channel if TikTok faces a ban. Bigger brands appear less concerned, but some have started planning alternative promotional strategies. Marketing agencies are advising clients to diversify their influencer spending across platforms like Instagram and YouTube.

TikTok faces uncertainty as the House greenlights a bill with provisions that could lead to its ban or sale. The vote pushed the platform's fate into the hands of the Senate amid escalating concerns over national security and free speech.

TikTok is reportedly developing a feature that would allow brands to use AI-generated influencers to promote products via videos and live-streams. The tool has been successfully tested and implemented in the Chinese version of TikTok, Douyin, which has seen AI hosts generate substantial sales for brands.

TikTok Notes is now rolling out to select Android and iOS users for download and limited testing in Australia and Canada. Besides a couple of small tweaks, the app is similar to Instagram. The messaging around TikTok Notes suggests that the app may be populated with users' existing and future public TikTok photo posts unless they opt-out. It is uncertain when TikTok will roll out the app to the US and elsewhere.

TikTok's venture into photo-sharing with TikTok Notes is a strategic move to compete with Instagram. TikTok Notes offers a space for functional and informative posts, distinct from Instagram's aesthetic-driven approach. It has a 'For You' and a 'Following' feed and the posts allow for headlines and long captions. The app is currently being tested in Canada and Australia before a potential global rollout.

The Senate has passed a bill for a foreign aid package that includes a measure that will force China-based ByteDance to sell TikTok or have it banned from the US. The bill will now head to President Joe Biden, who has already committed to signing the legislation. Once signed into law, ByteDance will have up to a year to complete a sale of TikTok. Enforcement of the law may be delayed by legal challenges. The bill is aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from conducting espionage, surveillance, maligned operations, and otherwise harming vulnerable Americans, rather than a punishment against ByteDance or any other individual company.

The EU is investigating TikTok's potential violation of the Digital Services Act. It is focusing on TikTok Lite's "task and reward" feature, which could harm users' mental health, particularly minors, due to the lack of a risk assessment. If found guilty, TikTok could face penalties of up to 6% of its global annual turnover. Interim measures like suspending TikTok Lite's access are being considered.

TikTok is reportedly using web links to bypass Apple App Store commissions on in-app purchases. It's offering users a way to buy digital coins outside of the app to avoid the 30% commission. Screenshots reveal messages prompting users to recharge via tiktok.com, indicating potential savings and offering various payment methods.

After a period of negotiations and music removals, TikTok and UMG have reached a new licensing agreement. This agreement not only restores UMG tracks to TikTok but also includes enhanced promotional opportunities and improved compensation for artists, reflecting the growing importance of digital platforms in the music industry ecosystem.

TikTok has announced an update to its premium ad placement option: Pulse ads. These ads ensure that a brand's promotions appear adjacent to some of the most popular content from premium publishers and creators. Pulse advertisers will have more publisher content to place their ads alongside, with TikTok signing Paramount Global and the NHL to its suite of placements. When ads are served next to trending content, viewers see the ad as more relevant and more favorable, driving higher purchase intent (+9%).

According to a new study by Material and TikTok, TikTok plays an increasingly powerful role in the product discovery process for consumers. 61% of the app's users discover new brands and products on the platform, which is 1.5X more than other platforms' users. 29% of users use TikTok specifically to search for a brand or retail account on the platform.

TikTok has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new law requiring the sale or ban of the company. The suit seeks a court order preventing the US from enforcing the law. It accuses the US of trampling on TikTok's First Amendment rights under the banner of national security. Parent company ByteDance says it can't and won't sell its US operations by the deadline, leaving litigation as its best hope to remain in the US market. It claims to have taken measures to safeguard user data and prevent Chinese influence.

TikTok will now label AI-generated content with an "AI-generated" tag, even if created on other platforms. It is the first social media platform to support the new Content Credentials metadata tags. Content Credentials support will go through a multi-phase implementation to enhance content authenticity. Support for the Adobe-developed tagging system comes as TikTok partners with Adobe's Content Authenticity Initiative as well as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity.

Social media marketing has evolved to prioritize entertainment over interaction. This was heavily influenced by TikTok's emphasis on public posting and content consumption time. Today's social media algorithms also prioritize entertaining content over divisive or argumentative posts. This shift has led to a decline in engagement and interaction on platforms like FB and IG, despite increased time spent on AI-commended content.

When asked to split their user acquisition spend between Instagram and TikTok, 79% of respondents allotted at least 75% of their budget to Instagram. The survey was conducted in February and March 2024, before U.S. lawmakers approved a bill requiring TikTok to separate from its Chinese ownership or face a potential ban in the country. This marketer preference may be due to the perception that Meta is more advertiser-friendly.

A limited group of TikTok users in select markets are now able to upload 60-minute videos onto the platform. The feature marks a shift from TikTok's original format. While the company rose to popularity due to its short-form video format, it has been slowly embracing long-form content to compete with YouTube. The platform has also been testing a horizontal full-screen mode and video-scrubbing thumbnails. It is unclear if or when TikTok plans to launch the 60-minute video upload option widely.

TikTok announced a new media buying certification that allows digital marketers to highlight their expertise in TikTok advertising. Candidates who pass the exam will receive an official TikTok Media Buying Certification, which is valid for 2 years along with verifiable accreditation. There's no accompanying course (as is the case with the usual TikTok University offerings), but there is a 124-page study guide.

TikTok Symphony's new AI-powered ad suite offers tools for script writing and video production and automation features for matching brands with the right creative assets and audiences. With TikTok One, advertisers can connect with nearly two million creators and agencies. The new ad suite is a clear sign of how the company is fighting to stay competitive with Meta and Google, which are heavily investing in AI-enhanced ads.

TikTok Studio is a new comprehensive platform that provides creators with tools to create, edit, upload, manage, and analyze their TikTok content. It offers features like auto caption, photo editor, autocut, advanced analytics, and monetization opportunities. A beta version is available for download on the Google Play Store and should be available on the Apple App Store over the coming weeks.

TikTok Studio is designed to help creators analyze their performance, track improvements, and make more informed decisions. Creators can manage all aspects of their presence, including video uploads, editing, performance analytics, and more. TikTok Studio replaces Creator tools within the TikTok app as well as the Creator Center web app, but creators can continue to access the full suite of tools and resources on a desktop web browser.

A U.S. appeals court set a fast-track schedule to hear legal challenges to the potential ban of TikTok.