TikTok has exploded in popularity in Turkey, with over 30 million monthly active users as of early 2023. The short-form video app appeals strongly to Turkish youth, with over 90% of users under the age of 35 (Start.io). TikTok’s synchronous interface allows users to engage with trending content and challenges in real-time (OOSGA). This has enabled some Turkish creators to gain enormous followings by posting entertaining, helpful, or informative short videos.
This article will provide an overview of the top TikTok influencers in Turkey. These are creators who have amassed millions of followers and built their own brands by consistently creating engaging content. From comedy skits to lifestyle tips, the top influencers represent a diverse range of content that has resonated with the Turkish TikTok audience. By examining their paths to success, we can gain insight into the types of content that performs best on TikTok in Turkey.
#1: Burak Özdemir
Burak Özdemir, known as CZN Burak on TikTok, is a Turkish chef and restaurateur who rose to fame from his viral food videos on the platform. According to his TikTok bio, Burak was born in 1990 in Gaziantep, Turkey [1]. He started gaining popularity in January 2020 when he posted a video of himself energetically preparing a giant portion of Turkish kebab. The infectious joy he showed while cooking struck a chord, and the video quickly went viral [2].
Burak is known for his signature wide smile and over-the-top food preparation videos. He prepares enormous portions of Turkish dishes like kebabs, baklava, and gozleme, demonstrating his skills as a chef. His videos are fast-paced and upbeat, featuring shots of him happily chopping ingredients, tossing dough, or gesturing at the camera while cooking. The shots are tightly edited to keep energy levels high.
As of January 2022, Burak boasts an astounding 74.6 million followers on TikTok, making him the most followed chef on the platform [3]. His relatable charm and cooking skills have won over viewers worldwide.
[1] https://www.tiktok.com/@cznburak?lang=en
[2] https://www.tiktok.com/discover/burak-ozdemir-official?lang=en
[3] https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/689805-most-followers-on-tiktok-for-a-chef
#2: Mücahit Kestane
Mücahit Kestane is one of the top TikTok influencers in Turkey, with over 21 million followers. He first started gaining popularity on the platform in 2019 by posting comedy sketches and lip-sync videos. According to his TikTok bio, he is 23 years old and lives in Istanbul.
Kestane’s content appeals to a Gen Z demographic. He mostly posts comedy videos, using fast cuts, music, and energetic on-screen personas. Some of his most popular content includes challenge videos, reaction videos, and participation in TikTok trends. He frequently collaborates with other Turkish TikTok creators as well.
As of February 2023, Kestane has amassed 21.7 million TikTok followers, making him the second most followed TikTok influencer in Turkey. His massive audience and engagement makes him an attractive partner for brands looking to reach young audiences in Turkey through influencer marketing campaigns.
#3: Rüzgar Erkoçlar
Rüzgar Erkoçlar is a 19-year-old TikTok star from Turkey known for his comedy skits and lip-sync performances. Born in Adana, Erkoçlar started posting to TikTok in early 2019 and quickly amassed a large following. As of January 2022, he has over 800,000 followers on the platform.
Erkoçlar posts a variety of lighthearted content to entertain his fans. His TikTok videos feature him lip-syncing to popular songs, often with comedic facial expressions and gestures. He also creates funny skits and mini sketches, sometimes involving costume changes or props. Based on his creative videos, Erkoçlar seems to have a very energetic, goofy, and charismatic personality that resonates with viewers.
Despite his young age, Erkoçlar has already made a name for himself on TikTok in Turkey. With his quirky sense of humor and knack for creating viral content, he has all the makings of a rising social media star. As Erkoçlar continues posting new videos showcasing his comedic talents, his follower count will likely keep growing.
#4: Enes Batur
Enes Batur is one of the most popular TikTok stars in Turkey with over 16 million followers. He first joined TikTok in January 2019 and quickly amassed a large following with his funny lip-sync and dance videos.
Batur was born in Turkey in 1996. Before finding fame on TikTok, he worked as a photographer and video editor. He started making videos on other platforms like Instagram and YouTube before focusing his efforts on TikTok.
On TikTok, Batur is known for his comedic skits, challenges, and lively dance routines. Some of his most popular content features him dancing and singing along to Turkish pop songs. He often collaborates with his girlfriend, Aslı Batur, in funny boyfriend/girlfriend videos.
As of February 2023, Batur has over 16.4 million followers on TikTok, making him one of the top 5 Turkish TikTok stars. His videos regularly receive millions of views and likes. Beyond TikTok, he has over 2 million YouTube subscribers and 6 million Instagram followers.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/@enes.batur__?lang=en
https://music.tiktok.com/artist/Enes-Batur-6728549802349975554
#5: Bilal Hancı
Bilal Hancı is an Istanbul-based content creator whose comedic videos have earned him a massive TikTok following. He first joined TikTok in 2019 and quickly amassed fans thanks to his fun-loving personality and humorous videos.
Hancı’s content often features comedy sketches, dancing, and lip-syncing. He frequently collaborates with other popular Turkish TikTokers to create funny videos. Some of his most popular content includes challenge videos, comedy skits with a green screen, and videos featuring his catchphrase “Hey Community!”
As of January 2023, Bilal Hancı has over 13 million followers on TikTok. His infectious energy and goofy sense of humor clearly resonate with viewers. While he creates English-language content occasionally, the majority of his videos are in Turkish. His massive following demonstrates his wide appeal among TikTok users in Turkey.
Others to Watch
In addition to the top 5 Turkish TikTok influencers mentioned above, there are several other rising stars gaining popularity on the platform:
Defne Samyeli (https://www.modash.io/find-influencers/tiktok/turkey) has quickly grown her following to over 2 million fans. She is known for her comedic skits and impersonations. Defne brings a unique sense of humor that helps her stand out.
Mücahit Koçak (https://www.inbeat.co/top-influencers/tiktok/turkey/) is a musician who shares song covers and original compositions with his 1.5 million followers. His soulful voice and guitar skills make his content engaging and entertaining to watch.
While still up-and-coming, these TikTokers show potential for continued growth and influence. Their distinctive talents and loyal fanbases position them well to potentially join the top tier of Turkish TikTok influencers.
Influencer Marketing in Turkey
Influencer marketing has become a major force in Turkey, with brands partnering with popular TikTok creators to promote their products. Sponsored content from TikTok influencers allows brands to tap into their large, engaged audiences. Some of the top brands leveraging influencer marketing in Turkey include Samsung, Adidas, Netflix, and McDonald’s.
When partnering with influencers, brands will often pay for sponsored posts and videos. The influencer will create unique content that features the brand’s products or services. Depending on the deal, the influencer may receive free products, experiences, or monetary compensation.
Rates for sponsored content vary greatly based on the influencer’s follower count and engagement levels. Top influencers can earn anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 for a single branded post or video. Nano and micro influencers with smaller, targeted audiences may charge a few hundred dollars. The potential earnings for influencers partnering with brands are quite substantial.
In Turkey, influencer marketing provides a way for brands to authentically connect with younger demographics. By strategically choosing the right influencers for campaigns, brands can increase awareness, drive sales, and create buzz around their products. It’s a trend that’s likely to continue growing as more Turkish influencers emerge on TikTok and other platforms.
Keys to Success
The top TikTok influencers in Turkey have gained massive popularity due to their creative content, consistent posting, engagement with followers, and understanding of the platform’s evolving trends and algorithms. Many focus on comedy, dancing, lip-syncing, and storytelling through short videos that showcase their personality.
Some best practices these influencers employ include:
- Posting multiple times per day to stay relevant and reach new audiences.
- Using viral sounds, effects, challenges, and hashtags to increase visibility.
- Collaborating with other popular creators for cross-promotion opportunities.
- Interacting with fans through comments, duets, stitches, and live streams.
- Maintaining a consistent brand and style of content aligned with their niche.
- Producing high-quality videos utilizing editing tools and equipment.
- Understanding trends and seamlessly incorporating them into their content strategy.
Succeeding as a TikTok influencer requires dedication, creativity, engagement, and the ability to evolve alongside shifts in interests and algorithms. These factors have propelled Turkey’s top influencers to fame and allowed them to accumulate millions of loyal followers.
Conclusion
Based on the influencers we have covered, it is clear that comedy and lifestyle content works well on TikTok in Turkey, with creators like Burak Özdemir and Mücahit Kestane thriving through relatable and funny short videos. Rüzgar Erkoçlar has also found success through viral dance videos and collaborations. However, the top influencer remains Enes Batur, who leverages multiple content formats like challenges, comedy, and music across a massive following. Other rising stars like Bilal Hancı show the potential for continued growth on TikTok in Turkey.
Looking ahead, we can expect to see more Turkish influencers embracing creative formats like sketch comedy and dance challenges as they build their personal brands. As TikTok continues its rapid growth, Turkey will remain a major market for viral content and emerging influencer talent. Brand sponsorships and collaborations between top creators are also likely to increase. While the platform’s top personalities may shift over time, Turkey will continue playing a leading role in shaping TikTok culture and trends.
