TikTok Highlights Key Trends of 2024

TikTok has shared its latest Year in Review summary, which highlights all of the top clips, creators and trends in the app based on engagement data throughout 2024.

And the overview takes on an additional meaning this time around.

As explained by TikTok:

“In 2024, we were very demure, reveled in brat summer, and adored a cheeky pygmy hippo, all while supporting businesses of all sizes that significantly contribute to the US economy. Throughout the year, over 170 million Americans continue to be part of a billion-strong global community to discover new ideas, share passions, and inspire change. From record-breaking artists to reimagined recipes, best-sellers, and bustling businesses of all sizes, we found joy in learning, laughing, and connecting with one another.”

TikTok’s keen to note its impact on the U.S. economy, and its overall usage, as it continues to stare down a likely ban in the U.S., as part of the enforced sell-off bill.

TikTok’s still fighting the U.S. government’s sell-off order, and President-elect Donald Trump has vowed that he’ll save the app. But right now, it still seems like it is on track to be removed from the U.S. sometime next year.

Which is why the latest year in review takes on a secondary meaning, in highlighting the app’s value to American users.

TikTok’s highlighted both U.S. and global trends in its 2024 lists, including the top songs in the app.

The U.S. listing is a little different:

No doubt many of these tracks are familiar, and even if you don’t know them by name, you likely would if you heard them, with the same songs appearing on many, many trending clips.

TikTok’s also shared the top artists as well:

TikTok has become a key source for music promotion, with artists making it a central focus, as more people discover new artists via the app. As such, this also serves as an overview of broader music trends for the year.

TikTok’s also shared selected stats from other communities, like #BookTok, which has also become an influential arts element.

While sports has also seen rising interest in the app:

TikTok’s also keen to highlight the impact that it’s had for businesses, and in particular, the steady rise of live-stream commerce.

“In the US, the number of TikTok Shop LIVE sessions hosted each month nearly tripled this year, allowing sellers and creators to connect with their audiences in real-time. During her Black Friday LIVE, Stormi Steele of Canvas Beauty became the first-ever seller to surpass $2M in TikTok Shop sales via a single livestream, with over $1 million of that within the first two hours. Mandy Peña of SimplyMandys made over $1.2 million in sales during a single TikTok LIVE. The record-breaking achievements of business owners showcase the immense potential of live commerce with the TikTok community.”

Live-stream shopping is a key focus for TikTok, after seeing major success with the format in its Chinese homeland. It hasn’t caught on in the same way with consumers in Western markets, but maybe, TikTok users are coming around, which could present major opportunity for the app.

For comparison, TikTok generated around $3.8 billion on total in-app sales last year. Douyin, the Chinese version of the app, generated over $500 billion.

It’s an interesting overview of TikTok trends, and really, broader cultural shifts overall, highlighting the value the app holds for many users.

Does that matter in regards to the potential of a full ban of the app? I mean, probably not, but TikTok will keep pushing its value to U.S. audiences as it seeks to fight the sell-off order.

You can check out TikTok’s full 2024 year in review here.