TikTok’s Algorithm’s Influence on Politics
Overview
Over the last decade, social media has become an integral element of the political landscape. It has evolved into a source of knowledge on which society relies. Because of the reliance on social media, disinformation has influenced public opinion. TikTok, a social media app, has gained political clout in recent years and may even be called a campaign weapon.
TikTok is a Chinese social media platform launched in 2016 by ByteDance. TikTok’s main function was dance videos generated by teens, but it has evolved over time and now appeals to individuals of all ages. This social media network is no longer simply renowned for dance videos, but it also delivers educational information.
TikTok usage is increasing, thus it’s vital to look at it. Because of its popularity, it has become one of the most popular social networking programs today. Because this social media app is used by individuals of different backgrounds, it should be researched in the context of political campaigns, as disinformation on social media platforms has been on the rise.
TikTok was one of the top social media channels where people shared their thoughts and beliefs, promoting prejudice and disinformation during the 2020 presidential elections. Politicians from all across the world have also joined TikTok in order to increase their popularity among voters. Politicians and their media teams utilize TikTok to build trust with potential voters.
They develop content that aims to influence their audience’s views and attitudes. Politicians have exploited social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Google, and YouTube in prior elections. However, TikTok is the newest social media tool they are using to get positive feedback from potential voters. Another illustration of TikTok’s impact is the app’s most influential political account. The account is named “The Conservative Hype House,” and it has over 1.5 million followers, making it one of the most prominent political TikTok accounts. This account is renowned for promoting Donald Trump-related content, and during the presidential election, they expanded marketing for “Official Trump 2020” by offering direct links via their videos.