TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. As of December 2022, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users[1], up from 689 million global users in 2020[2]. Known for its short-form videos, lip syncing, and viral memes, TikTok allows users to create, share, and discover entertaining 15-60 second videos. The app makes it easy for anyone to create fun videos using effects, filters, and creative tools. TikTok’s algorithm is designed to quickly determine a user’s preferences and fill their feed with personalized, relevant content to keep them engaged. The app has given rise to viral trends, memes, dances, and helped launch the careers of many creators and influencers. With its massive reach and youthful vibe, TikTok offers an exciting new way for brands and businesses to engage with audiences.
Step 1: Download the TikTok App
TikTok is a free mobile app available for both iOS and Android devices. As of 2024, TikTok has been downloaded over 4.1 billion times worldwide (Source). To download the TikTok app:
On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store and search for “TikTok”. Tap “Get” next to the TikTok app and then “Install”. You may need to enter your Apple ID and password.
On an Android device, open the Google Play Store and search for “TikTok”. Tap “Install” next to the TikTok app. The app will begin downloading and you can open it after installation is complete.
The TikTok app is free to download on both iOS and Android. Make sure you are downloading the app from the official TikTok page in the app store.
Step 2: Sign Up
There are several options to sign up for TikTok:
You can sign up using your email or phone number. Enter your email address or mobile number, create a password, and tap “Sign Up”. You’ll need to verify your email or phone number after signing up.
Or you can use your existing accounts with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, or Apple to sign up and create a TikTok account instantly without having to create a new password. Just tap the icon for the platform you want to use, and log in with your existing credentials.
If you’re under 13 years old, you can sign up with the consent of a parent or guardian. The parent/guardian will need to download the TikTok app as well to set up a “Family Pairing” and give consent.
Make sure to enter your real date of birth when creating your account, as TikTok requires users to be at least 13 years old to use the platform.
Signing up with an email, phone, or existing social media account allows you to get started on TikTok quickly. Just choose the method that works best for you!
Step 3: Create a Profile
After signing up, you’ll need to create your TikTok profile. This is where you can add your profile photo, username, bio and other information.
To add a profile photo, tap the default profile icon in the top right corner and select “Edit profile.” You can then choose a photo from your camera roll or take a new photo directly in the app. Be sure to use a clear, well-lit photo of yourself for your profile.
Choosing your username is an important part of setting up your account. Your username is what people will see when they view your profile or videos. According to Adobe Express, some ideas for good TikTok usernames include using your name, a nickname, or creative words that describe your personality or interests (Source). Avoid using anything offensive or inappropriate.
You can also add a short bio to your profile, up to 150 characters. Use this space to briefly describe your account, share your other social media handles, or add emojis that represent you. Your bio helps give viewers a quick glimpse into who you are on TikTok.
Take your time personalizing your new TikTok profile. Your username, photo and bio create your identity on the app and impact how viewers will perceive your account.
Step 4: Configure Settings
Once you’ve created your TikTok account, it’s important to take some time to configure your account settings. This allows you to customize your privacy preferences, notifications, and more. Here are some of the key account settings to review:
Go to your profile and tap the three-dot menu in the top right. Then select “Settings and privacy.”
In the Privacy section, you can control options like:
- Who can view your liked videos
- Allowing comments on your videos
- Making your account private (requires approval to follow you)
- Restricting certain age groups from viewing your content
In Settings, you can configure options like:
- Notifications for new followers, messages, and more
- Limiting screen time with a daily time limit
- Controlling the default video upload quality
- Managing your blocked accounts list
Take some time to explore all the available settings to customize your TikTok experience. The options allow you to control your privacy, notifications, account security and more.
Step 5: Follow Accounts
One of the best parts of TikTok is discovering new accounts that match your interests. There are a few ways to find accounts to follow based on what you enjoy watching:
- Use the Discover tab to browse popular content categories like Comedy, Animals, Sports, DIY, and more. Tap Follow on any account you’d like to see more of.
- Check out TikTok’s recommendations on the Following tab. This shows you accounts similar to ones you already follow.
- Use TikTok’s search bar to look for specific topics, challenges, or sounds. Follow creators who are making content you like.
- Look through the likes and comments of videos you enjoy to find active accounts to follow.
- Follow hashtags for your hobbies, causes, sports teams, etc. to see top posts on those subjects.
You can also find recommendations for inspirational accounts worth following. Sources like Fastweb, RooLee, and ScreenRant suggest motivational users like @crystai.st.john, @spencer.barbosa, @wellness_md, and more. Following accounts that inspire you is a great way to make TikTok a positive experience.
Step 6: Interact with Content
Interacting with other videos and creators is a key part of the TikTok experience. There are several ways to engage with content you enjoy:
Like Videos
To show appreciation and support for a video, tap the heart icon below it. This adds it to your “Liked videos” list so you can easily find it later. Liking videos also helps surface more content similar to what you enjoy on your For You page.
Comment on Videos
Leave a comment to provide feedback, ask a question, or start a conversation about a video. Tap the comment bubble icon to open the comments section, then type your comment and tap “Post.” You can reply to other comments too.
Share Videos
Help spread content you love by sharing it with friends. Tap the share arrow icon, then choose how you want to share – as a TikTok link, by embedding it in a text, via social media, and more. Share thoughtfully to relevant audiences.
Duets and Reactions
Put your own spin on a video by recording a duet, which plays the original video side-by-side with yours. Tap “Share” then “Duet.” You can also film short reaction videos using the “Stitch” feature. React responsibly to uplift creators.
Engaging thoughtfully helps build community. Have fun interacting!
Step 7: Create Content
When creating content on TikTok, focus on making engaging and entertaining videos that utilize popular trends. Some best practices include:
Use trending sounds and songs. Songs and audio clips that are going viral on TikTok are a great way to increase the reach of your videos. Make sure to use sounds that are relevant and complementary to your content.
Do viral dances or challenges. Participating in popular TikTok dance trends or challenges that are blowing up is an excellent tactic for getting more views. Put your own unique spin on them!
Create short-form comedy or humor videos. Funny and lighthearted content tends to perform very well on TikTok. Think about humor that fits your brand.
Feature your skills or talent. Showcasing cooking skills, dance moves, art abilities, and more through short videos allows you to highlight your strengths. Lean into what makes you unique!
Make reaction and critique content. Films yourself reacting to or critiquing popular culture moments, memes, or other content can be engaging. Add your personality!
Participate in viral TikTok trends. Keep up with the latest viral trends on TikTok like outfit transitions, meme sounds, camera effects and more. Put your unique spin on them.
Step 8: Use Effects and Filters
TikTok has a wide variety of effects and filters that allow you to enhance your videos in creative ways. Here are some tips for using effects and filters effectively:
Tap on the “Effects” icon on the bottom left while recording a video to browse TikTok’s library of AR effects. These effects use augmented reality to add animated elements like facial features, objects, and text overlays to your videos. Popular AR effects include the cartoon eyes, bling jewels, and animal ears.
After recording your video, tap on “Filters” to apply color and aesthetic changes. Some of the most popular filters include Beauty Mode for a smoothed and brightened complexion, Vintage for a retro film look, and G6 for a vibrant, futuristic vibe (source). Play around to find filters that match the mood you want for your video.
Use the “Text” tool to overlay bold fonts and captions. You can get creative with different text styles and positions on the screen. The “Stickers” option also lets you decorate your videos with fun images and emoji.
TikTok provides trending hashtags for certain effects that you can use so your video is more discoverable. Check out what’s currently popular and try out some of the top effects and filters to make your videos stand out!
Conclusion
Creating a TikTok account and getting started on the platform is easy to do by following the step-by-step process outlined here. To recap, you need to download the TikTok app, sign up for an account, create a profile, configure your settings, follow accounts you’re interested in, interact with content, create your own original videos using effects and filters, and consistently post engaging content to grow your audience.
Some additional tips for growing your TikTok audience include using trending audios, participating in popular challenges, collaborating with other creators, going live occasionally, using relevant hashtags, optimizing your captions, and promoting your account on other social platforms. The most important factors are posting quality content regularly and authentically engaging with others on the app. With persistence and creativity, you can build a thriving community on TikTok.
