TikTok statistics 2026 showing key platform data and growth trends

In this article

TikTok User Statistics

Understanding TikTok's user base is fundamental to assessing the platform's potential for your brand. These numbers reveal a platform that has matured far beyond its initial Gen Z audience.


  1. TikTok has approximately 1.9 billion monthly active users worldwide as of early 2026. Projections suggest it could pass 2 billion within the year, making it the fifth most popular social media platform globally. (DemandSage)
  2. Daily active users sit at around 1.12 billion, giving TikTok a DAU/MAU ratio of 57.3%. More than half of monthly users return daily, a strong indicator of platform stickiness. (Backlinko)
  3. TikTok has been downloaded over 5.48 billion times since launch. In 2024, the app was downloaded 773 million times, making it the most downloaded app globally for the fourth consecutive year. (DemandSage)
  4. Indonesia is TikTok's largest market with 180.1 million users, followed by the United States at 153.12 million and Brazil at 91.7 million. Geographic concentration in Asia and the Americas indicates significant growth opportunities in those regions. (DataReportal)
  5. In the EU, TikTok averaged 169 million monthly active users in the first half of 2025. European users represent a substantial and affluent audience. (DataReportal)
  6. The UK has a significant and growing TikTok user base, with particularly strong penetration among younger demographics. TikTok Shop launched in the UK before expanding to the US, giving British brands early access to social commerce. (Business of Apps)
  7. TikTok is available in over 150 countries and 75 languages. Its Chinese counterpart, Douyin, has approximately 755 million monthly active users and operates as a separate platform. (Business of Apps)

TikTok user statistics showing 1.9 billion monthly active users worldwide

TikTok Demographics

The demographic composition of TikTok has shifted significantly since its early days. The platform now reaches substantially older audiences, which presents new opportunities for brands targeting consumers with higher disposable income.


  1. The largest age group on TikTok is 25 to 34 year olds at 35% of users. The 18 to 24 age group follows at 31%, representing a shift toward older millennials. (Statista)
  2. Users aged 13 to 19 now account for 25% of the user base, down from 32% in 2021. TikTok is no longer just a Gen Z platform. (DemandSage)
  3. Users aged 30 and above represent 38% of TikTok's audience, up from 22% in 2021. The average user age has risen to 26.5 years globally, with regional variations: 28 in North America and 24 in Asia-Pacific. (DemandSage)
  4. The 55+ age group has grown by 61.7% between 2021 and 2023. TikTok now reaches consumers with significantly higher spending power than in its early years. (DemandSage)
  5. The global gender split is 54.5% male and 45.5% female. Male user growth has been faster recently at 31% year-on-year compared to 24% for female users. (DemandSage)
  6. In the United States, 61% of TikTok users identify as female, which is the opposite of the global trend. Regional variations in gender distribution create distinct content and advertising opportunities by market. (Backlinko)
  7. 65% of TikTok users are aged 18 to 34. Among Gen Z specifically, 67% are active on TikTok, making it the dominant platform for that generation. (Statista)

TikTok demographics and age distribution data for 2026

TikTok Usage Statistics

How people use TikTok reveals the platform's grip on user attention. Daily time spent and interaction patterns show that TikTok commands more focus than any comparable platform, driven by its powerful recommendation algorithm.


  1. The average TikTok user spends 95 minutes per day on the platform globally. This makes it the social media app with the highest daily usage, exceeding YouTube at 40 minutes and Instagram at 29 minutes. (Backlinko)
  2. In the US, adults spend approximately 52 minutes per day on TikTok, while US teenagers average 87 minutes daily. The disparity illustrates TikTok's particular appeal to younger audiences. (Oberlo)
  3. The average user opens the TikTok app 19 times per day. On Android devices, users spend approximately 34 hours per month within the app. (DemandSage)
  4. An estimated 23.5 million videos are uploaded to TikTok every day, which works out at roughly 16,000 videos per minute. This volume of content creation keeps the platform continuously refreshed. (Buffer)
  5. TikTok's recommendation algorithm drives approximately 85% of all video views, compared to around 57% for Instagram's Explore and Reels algorithm. This algorithmic edge gives organic reach far more potential on TikTok than on competing platforms. (Sprout Social)
  6. Average video length on TikTok has settled at around 42.7 seconds. Short-form content remains the dominant format despite the platform allowing longer videos. (DemandSage)
  7. 67% of users prefer brand content that features trending music, and 63% of high-performing TikTok ads communicate their message within the first few seconds. Creative approach matters substantially for advertising success. (Shopify)

TikTok Growth Statistics

TikTok's expansion trajectory has been remarkable, and growth continues despite regulatory challenges in certain markets. Understanding this growth provides context for the platform's current dominance.


  1. TikTok has grown from 271 million monthly active users in 2018 to approximately 1.9 billion in 2026. That is roughly a sevenfold increase in eight years, a growth rate far exceeding established social platforms. (Business of Apps)
  2. In 2024, TikTok was downloaded 773 million times, making it the most downloaded app globally for the fourth consecutive year. Consistent top-download status reinforces its market leadership. (DemandSage)
  3. In the first half of 2025, TikTok was downloaded 436.82 million times across the App Store and Google Play. Download momentum remains strong heading into 2026. (DemandSage)
  4. Audience growth in 2026 is projected at 17%, ahead of LinkedIn at 14% and Instagram at 13%. TikTok continues expanding its user base faster than established social platforms. (Backlinko)
  5. Regulatory scrutiny in the US led to a potential ban in early 2025. In January 2026, a divestment deal was finalised, with TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC established under majority US ownership. ByteDance retained a 19.9% stake. (Variety)
  6. Latin America represents 22% of TikTok's global reach with 356 million users, while Southeast Asia accounts for 18.7% with 298 million. Regional expansion continues to drive overall user growth. (DataReportal)

TikTok growth statistics showing downloads and user base expansion

TikTok Revenue and Advertising Statistics

TikTok's advertising business has become a major revenue driver, with projections showing continued acceleration. These figures underscore the platform's value to brands.


  1. TikTok's global advertising revenue reached $23.58 billion in 2024, up from $13.2 billion in 2023 and $1.14 billion in 2020. This explosive growth demonstrates the platform's increasing appeal to advertisers. (Business of Apps)
  2. For 2026, global ad revenue is projected to reach $34.8 billion, with forecasts suggesting it could surpass $50 billion by 2027. Growth trajectories continue to accelerate. (Shopify)
  3. In the US, TikTok generated $11.01 billion in net ad revenue in 2025. Projections for 2026 reach $14.5 billion, representing approximately 38% of TikTok's global ad income. (eMarketer)
  4. Advertising on TikTok reaches a potential audience of 1.59 billion people. The sheer scale of potential impressions makes TikTok attractive for brand awareness campaigns. (DataReportal)
  5. Average CPM sits at around $9.16, with average CPC at approximately $1.00. These costs make TikTok one of the more cost-efficient platforms for reach. (Marketing LTB)
  6. TikTok ads return an average of $4.13 for every $1 spent, compared to $3.21 on Instagram. Return on ad spend favours TikTok over established platforms. (Marketing LTB)
  7. 56% of advertisers report better performance on TikTok compared to other platforms. Majority advertiser sentiment confirms TikTok's effectiveness as an ad channel. (Shopify)
  8. 56% of US consumers have purchased products they first saw advertised on TikTok. The platform directly influences purchasing decisions across substantial consumer segments. (Shopify)
  9. Brands running campaigns on TikTok see an average 26% increase in brand search volume. 45% of brands experience statistically significant brand search lifts after running TikTok ads. (Shopify)
  10. TikTok ad CTR averages 0.84% with a conversion rate near 0.46%. If you're combining Shopify SEO with paid channels, TikTok should be part of that conversation. (Backlinko)

TikTok Shop and Ecommerce Statistics

TikTok Shop represents a fundamental shift in social commerce. The growth in this channel has been extraordinary, positioning TikTok as a serious competitor to traditional ecommerce platforms.


  1. TikTok Shop generated $15.82 billion in US sales in 2025, representing 108% year-on-year growth and a 407% increase from 2024. This acceleration is among the fastest in retail history. (eMarketer)
  2. For 2026, US TikTok Shop sales are projected to reach between $20 billion and $23.4 billion. Projections exceed $30 billion by 2028. (eMarketer)
  3. TikTok Shop's market share in US social commerce has grown to 18.2% in 2026, with projections of 24.1% by 2027. TikTok is capturing an increasingly dominant share of social commerce transactions. (Shopify)
  4. The platform hosts over 15 million merchants globally, with more than 70 million products listed across 750+ categories. Product availability and merchant participation continue expanding. (CapitalOne Shopping)
  5. In 2025, 71.4 million Americans shopped on TikTok, a 24.5% increase on 2024. Projections for 2026 range from 80.4 million to 94.2 million shoppers. (Shopify)
  6. There are 171,000 small business merchants on TikTok Shop, accounting for more than one third of total transactions. Small business sales grew 70% year-on-year. (Shopify)
  7. Beauty and personal care is the top-selling category at 18.65% of total TikTok Shop sales. Fashion and home goods follow closely behind. (Shopify)
  8. TikTok's integration with Shopify allows brands to sync product catalogues, run ads from Shopify admin, and sell through TikTok Shop. For more, see our guide on TikTok and Shopify integration. (CapitalOne Shopping)

TikTok Shop ecommerce statistics and social commerce growth

TikTok Creator Statistics

Content creators form the backbone of TikTok's ecosystem. Understanding creator demographics, earnings, and reach helps brands identify partnership opportunities and assess the value of influencer collaborations.


  1. There are over 207 million content creators on TikTok worldwide. The gender split is approximately 64% female, 35% male, and 1% non-binary. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
  2. Through the Creator Rewards Programme, creators earn between $0.40 and $1.00 per 1,000 views. This is a massive improvement from the $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views under the old Creator Fund. (DemandSage)
  3. Finance and business creators see the highest CPM rates at $3 to $8, followed by technology at $2.50 to $6, and health and fitness at $2 to $5. Niche selection affects creator earning potential substantially. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
  4. An estimated 100,000+ creators use TikTok as their primary source of income. US and Canadian creators receive 70% of net subscription revenue plus up to 20% in performance bonuses. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
  5. Khaby Lame remains the most followed creator on TikTok with over 162.8 million followers. He is followed by Charli D'Amelio, Bella Poarch, MrBeast, and Addison Rae. (Influencer Marketing Hub)
  6. Partnering with TikTok creators boosts view-through rates by 193%. Creator credibility translates directly to higher engagement with sponsored content. (Shopify)
  7. 30% of creators report TikTok as their top platform for income generation. Nano-influencers (1,000 to 10,000 followers) typically achieve engagement rates around 12%. (DemandSage)

TikTok creator statistics showing earnings and engagement data

TikTok Engagement Statistics

Engagement metrics demonstrate TikTok's ability to capture user attention and drive meaningful interactions. These figures validate TikTok's positioning as the engagement leader among major social platforms.


  1. The average engagement rate across TikTok is 3.70%, which represents a 49% year-on-year increase. For branded content, engagement rates reach 6.1%. (Social Insider)
  2. Instagram's average engagement rate is 0.48% and Facebook has declined to 0.15%. TikTok's engagement is roughly eight times higher than Instagram and twenty-five times higher than Facebook. (Backlinko)
  3. Accounts with fewer than 100,000 followers see an average engagement rate of 7.50%, while accounts with over 10 million followers average 2.88%. Smaller creators achieve higher engagement rates relative to their audience size. (DemandSage)
  4. For ecommerce content, TikTok ads achieve a click-through rate of 0.84% and a conversion rate near 0.46%. Strong ad engagement typically falls between 3.85% and 4.9%. (Backlinko)
  5. Average comments per post have declined by 24%, while video views are up 3% year-on-year. Users are consuming more content but interacting less through comments. (Social Insider)
  6. Accounts with fewer than 5,000 followers average 4.2% engagement. This is encouraging for brands just starting out on the platform, as new accounts can achieve meaningful interaction rates. (DemandSage)
  7. 67% of Gen Z users are active on TikTok. The platform's primary use case is entertainment and content discovery, which drives higher dwell time than utility-focused platforms. (Statista)

TikTok engagement rates and platform comparison data

TikTok for Business

Brands have embraced TikTok at scale, recognising its value for reaching consumers and driving commerce.


  1. Over 225,000 brands are active on TikTok alongside 15 million+ merchants. 80% of TikTok's revenue comes from advertising. (Shopify)
  2. The creator economy on TikTok is valued at over $37 billion in 2026. This encompasses creator earnings, brand partnerships, and commerce transactions. (Influencer Marketing Hub)

Key Takeaways

Scale and Reach: With 1.9 billion monthly active users and average daily usage of 95 minutes, TikTok commands more user attention than any comparable social platform. The shift toward older demographics means brands can now reach affluent consumers aged 25 and above, while Gen Z adoption remains dominant. For UK brands, the platform offers early-mover advantages through features like TikTok Shop that launched domestically before expanding internationally.


Revenue and Advertising: Global advertising revenue is projected to reach $34.8 billion in 2026, with the US accounting for $14.5 billion. The platform's efficiency metrics are compelling: CPM of $9.16, CPC of $1.00, and an average return of $4.13 per $1 spent. 56% of advertisers report better performance on TikTok compared to other platforms.


TikTok Shop: Ecommerce on TikTok has grown explosively, with US sales reaching $15.82 billion in 2025. Projections suggest $20 to $23.4 billion for 2026. 71.4 million Americans shopped on TikTok in 2025 and small businesses represent a third of transactions, demonstrating the platform serves merchants of all sizes.


Engagement Advantage: TikTok's average engagement rate of 3.70% vastly exceeds Instagram's 0.48% and Facebook's 0.15%. The algorithm drives 85% of video views compared to 57% for Instagram, creating organic reach potential that traditional social networks cannot match.


If you're serious about social commerce and digital marketing for ecommerce, TikTok is now non-negotiable. We help brands master TikTok alongside broader ecommerce strategies. Explore our SEO services or get in touch to discuss your TikTok strategy.