TikTok has exploded in popularity over the past few years, becoming one of the most influential social media platforms in the world. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it has given rise to a new generation of digital creators and influencers. On TikTok, creators can quickly gain a massive following by creating fun and engaging short videos. The app’s algorithm is very adept at identifying trending content and pushing it out to a wide audience. As a result, TikTok has become a launchpad for viral stars and influencers with incredibly far-reaching clout and impact.
In this article, we will examine the biggest and most influential TikTok creators. Popularity on TikTok is measured not just by follower count, but also factors like average views, likes, shares, and overall engagement. The top creators have managed to leverage the platform to build recognizable personal brands and lucrative careers as full-time influencers. Their success demonstrates the incredible marketing opportunities available on TikTok, especially for brands seeking to connect with Gen Z audiences.
Measuring Popularity on TikTok
When determining the biggest and most popular creators on TikTok, there are a few key metrics to analyze: follower count, total video views, and engagement rates. Follower count shows how many people actively choose to see a creator’s content in their feed. Meanwhile, total video views indicate overall reach and viewership. According to RivalIQ, top creators often have view counts in the billions.[1] Finally, engagement rates, calculated by likes, comments, and shares divided by views, reveal how well content resonates with the audience.[2] High engagement is a sign of an authentic, invested audience.
By looking at these metrics together, we can determine who the biggest TikTok creators are in terms of popularity and audience connection. Follower count shows a creator’s potential reach, while views and engagement indicate how compelling their content is to watch and interact with across TikTok.
[1] [RivalIQ – 8 TikTok Metrics Marketers Need to Know](https://www.rivaliq.com/blog/tiktok-metrics/)
[2] [RivalIQ – 8 TikTok Metrics Marketers Need to Know](https://www.rivaliq.com/blog/tiktok-metrics/)
Most Followers
As of January 2023, the most followed individual creator on TikTok is Khaby Lame, who has over 161.8 million followers. Khaby surpassed previous record-holder Charli D’Amelio, who now has the second most followers at 142.4 million.
Two other creators with over 100 million followers are Addison Rae and Bella Poarch. Addison Rae has over 86.5 million followers, making her the 3rd most followed on the platform. Bella Poarch currently has 79.5 million followers, putting her in 4th place for most followed.
Other top creators by follower count include:
- Will Smith – 73.3 million
- Zach King – 72.2 million
- Kimberly Loaiza – 58.5 million
- Spencer X – 57.1 million
- Loren Gray – 56.4 million
Former most-followed creator Charli D’Amelio rose to fame in late 2019 and became the first TikTok creator to reach 100 million followers in November 2020. She remains one of the biggest stars on the platform despite being surpassed by Khaby Lame in 2022. Addison Rae also gained a massive following starting in mid-2019, cementing her status as one of the most popular creators.
Most Liked Videos
Some of the most liked TikTok videos of all time come from top creators like Zach King and Spencer Knight. King’s popular “Harry Potter magic” video has over 2 billion likes, making it one of the most viral TikTok videos ever (Statista). Spencer Knight also went viral with his “M to the B” lip sync video featuring a crazy transition effect, garnering over 1.7 billion likes (SocialBu). These creators have mastered the art of creating captivating and sharable content on TikTok’s short video platform.
Highest Paid
When it comes to earnings on TikTok, two creators stand out from the pack: Addison Rae and Charli D’Amelio. According to Later, Addison Rae topped the list of highest-paid TikTok creators in 2022, raking in a whopping $8.5 million. Much of her income comes from brand sponsorships and partnerships. Some of her notable deals include starring in a Super Bowl commercial for American Eagle and launching a makeup line with Item Beauty.
In second place is Charli D’Amelio, with estimated 2022 earnings of $7.5 million. As TikTok’s most-followed creator with over 146 million followers, Charli brings in big bucks from sponsored content, merch sales, and other business ventures. She also starred in a Super Bowl ad for Sabra hummus. Other income sources include her book “Essentially Charli,” her Depop resale business, and her makeup collaboration with Morphe.
Both Addison and Charli demonstrate how TikTok creators can leverage their massive followings into lucrative business opportunities. Their earning power shows the tremendous marketing value top TikTok stars can provide for brands. With their continued popularity, Addison and Charli are likely to top earning charts for years to come.
Most Viewed Videos
The most viewed TikTok video of all time is Bella Poarch’s lip-synching video to the song “M to the B”, with over 2.7 billion views as of December 2022 (source). Poarch, a Filipino-American Navy veteran, posted the simple 15-second video in August 2020 and it quickly went viral.
In second place is magician Zach King with his “Magic trick” video at 2.1 billion views (source). King is known for his innovative video editing and visual effects skills, and this popular TikTok shows him appearing to jump through a picture hanging on a wall. King actually has multiple videos in the top 10 most viewed on the platform.
Other top creators with the most viewed TikTok videos include Charli D’Amelio, Loren Gray, Will Smith, and Jason Derulo. But Bella Poarch and Zach King remain the undisputed champions when it comes to individual videos with billions of views.
Fastest Growing
Emerging creators are gaining followers at an astonishing rate on TikTok. According to Statista, the fastest growing TikTok user worldwide in 2022 was Brazilian sports influencer Luva de Pedreiro, who grew his audience by a massive 1,546% to 32.9 million followers [1]. Some other fast-rising stars include:
- Khaby Lame – The Senegalese-born Italian influencer saw his following grow from 1 million to an incredible 142 million in 2021 [1].
- Bella Poarch – The Filipino-American singer grew her audience by massive 645% to 87.3 million in 2022 [2].
- Dixie D’Amelio – Sister of Charli D’Amelio saw 534% growth to 57.2 million.
These emerging stars have leveraged the platform’s powerful algorithm to gain huge followings in short periods. Their irresistible charm, talent and content have enabled them to rise rapidly from obscurity to TikTok fame.
Influencer Marketing Reach
TikTok has become a major platform for influencer marketing and sponsored content. According to Statista, the number of influencer sponsored posts on TikTok grew from almost 20,000 per month in 2019 to over 175,000 per month by the end of 2020. TikTok’s sponsored content reach is extensive, with over 109 million potential viewers in the US alone as of 2022.
A key demographic on TikTok is the teenage and young adult audience. As of 2022, around 43% of TikTok users are between the ages of 10 and 19. This makes the platform very attractive for targeting youth and young adult demographics through influencer marketing campaigns. The high engagement levels seen on TikTok also boost the visibility and impact of sponsored influencer content.
Cultural Impact
TikTok has had a major cultural impact, largely driven by the viral spread of trends, memes, dances, songs, and more on the platform. As reported by TikTok, over 70% of users say they have learned about new cultural trends on TikTok first before anywhere else (source). The app has given rise to countless viral sensations that have spread far beyond the platform itself into wider pop culture. This includes widespread trends like outfit changes in transition videos, viral dances like the Renegade, Mama No! and the Git Up Challenge, lip-syncing and comedy sketches, popular memes, and more. TikTok has amplified music hits like Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and Doja Cat’s “Say So,” demonstrating its influence on popular culture. Overall, TikTok has proven itself a launchpad for catchy songs, dances, memes, challenges and other content that shapes youth culture and popular entertainment.
Conclusion
In summary, while many creators have found massive fame and success on TikTok, Charlie D’Amelio stands out as the most influential overall. With over 142 million followers, she is by far the most followed creator on the platform. Even more impressively, she reached this level of success in just a couple years. Beyond followers, her videos have amassed over 12 billion likes, and she was TikTok’s highest earner in 2020. While she started out posting fun dance videos, she has grown into so much more – a businesswoman, model, actress, and influencer powerhouse. Her cultural impact is immense, as she sets trends, introduces viral dances, and inspires both fans and brands. TikTok has proven to be an unparalleled platform for building a massive audience and achieving influencer status. Charlie D’Amelio demonstrates just how quickly someone can rise to fame through the world of social media. Her success underscores the power and influence TikTok creators can wield, especially when leveraged properly. She will likely continue leading the pack as TikTok’s biggest star for years to come.
