[LegendZ3]

The Chinese version of TikTok is very integrated with their own eCommerce platform. A video creator can link in the video the cloth they are wearing, the product they are using, or the hotel they are staying at. Also the live stream part in the Chinese version is hugely successful with selling products (think of it as QVC + Amazon). So I'm sure Walmart saw the potential as part of of their eCommerce strategy for the younger generation.

[btown]

It's also important to note that TikTok is one of the first platforms where young people expect the platform to curate globally-trending content for them. This is a stark contrast to the algorithm-driven news feeds and hands-off trending-sections of most other social media, and it opens the doors to thinking about TikTok the way one would think about a traditional media and advertising play, albeit one executed with significantly more sh$tposting. MSFT, especially post-Ballmer, is full of smart and agile-minded and empowered people who can understand this.

[wrinkl3]

I'm not sure I follow, isn't TikTok curated via algorithms as well? The content you like influences the content you see next. How's that new?

[nine_zeros]

Whatever the curation algorithm in Tiktok is, it is so much better than Youtube or Instagram. One actually feels that they are a part of a movement bigger than themselves and something that is globally trending.

Tiktok is a revolutionary social media application. They did what twitter couldn't do with vine.

[puranjay]

I think the poster meant how you create a TikTok not to follow your friends, but to follow creators.

Following creators is something that emerged out of Instagram organically. You first logged in because you wanted to see what your friends were up to.

In contrast, following friends was likely not your original reason for joining TikTok - it was to find interesting content.

An ad from a "creator" in your Instagram feed might evoke stronger resistance than in your TikTok feed.

[rayuela]

Wow this makes way more sense now. Was so puzzled to see Walmart jumping in on this, now it seems obvious.

[rich_sasha]

That does make sense, thanks.

[blackrock]

This is an interesting premise. And it makes TikTok (and Douyin) possibly even more valuable.

Someone like Walmart (or Amazon), that sells millions of items, can tap into the mass Chinese market of 1.4 billion people that are coming online and entering the middle class.

This can easily be Walmart’s ace to finally challenge Amazon domestically and worldwide.

In that case, I suggest TikTok refuse to sell out, at fire sale prices. They can make more money themselves.

Just take the American ban. And wait out Trump. If Biden wins, and he still enforces the ban, then it’s the American market that will lose out. Think of it, all those teenagers that are hitting the TikTok lottery, with their videos that go viral, and TikTok is sharing in the proceeds with them.

The young adult market, should realize what is happening and vote out Trump. This can at least send a message to the establishment.

Admittedly, the rumors that teenagers used TikTok to register for tickets to Trump’s rally, only to not show up, is rather hilarious. And he got bitter and butt-hurt for it. But couldn’t they have also spread that message around on other forums like Twitter or Instagram or Facebook too? So I don’t see why TikTok got singled out for it.