Is TikTok gone? It says No, no longer available for download or updates on the App Store. But TikTok has shut down its service before the ban, so it is no longer available. Ao for many Americans who make their living on TikTok, this is the day their income died.
The replacement is RedNote. It also has Chinese ownership. So the expectation is that it will be banned soon. The law banning TikTok banns all apps developed by foreign adversaries from being hosted in American app store or by internet hosting services. The articles indicate that lawmakers will legislate against them, so it seems like more regulations or additions to the law would need to be passed.
There was $3.8 billion in total in-app sales in 2024. And that's a low number compared to the Chinese version which generated over $500 billion in-app sales. Then there are ads, etc.
This is TikTok's 2024 year in review HERE. The news yesterday included some responses from TikTok users and influencers. One cat video watcher got my attention - "don't take my cat videos away". So I checked out what there was and HERE is CBC coverage of Canadian cats on TikTok.
This is the tropical Jade Vine, Strongylodon macrobotrys. It is named for its colour, which is spectacular when you see it. This one was at Longwood Gardens in the conservatory.
TikTok is considered to be a revolutionary technology with algorithms that power its "For You" feed. It has changed the way people become famous online.
The ability of new creators to get a lot of views very quickly—and the ease with which users can discover so many kinds of content—have contributed to the app’s stunning growth. Other social media companies are now trying to reproduce these features on their own apps.
There are many ideas about how the TikTok showcasing algorithm works. Is it hashtags or no hashtags? Is it text on your video or no text? And so on.
And then the drive to be famous must mean you make a lot of money. Here are the high-earning TikTokers:
Addison Rae: $5 million.
Charli D'Amelio: $4 million.
Dixie D'Amelio: $2.9 million.
Loren Gray: $2.6 million.
Josh Richards: $1.5 million.
Michael Le: $1.2 million.
Spencer X: $1.2 million.
Addison Rae is 20 years old, Charli D'Amelio is 17 years - according to Google. So I guess that explains the mass drive of young people to become TikTok famous. The algorithm is a lottery and can catapult a post to fame in a moment. This is the stuff that young people dream of - becoming famous in a flash. Stars like Addison Rae have been at the 'show business' game for years and started competing in dance competitions at the age of 6. Dreaming, though, is a great activity for the young. I expect TikTok to be around for a while.
Here's a picture of Millie from last week. I assume it is the camera clicking noise that bothers her - she often has this expression for the camera. It does show off the Cavalier eyebrows. There's no mistaking her accusing look of irritation here.
