You've probably heard of TikTok, the famous short video content platform. However, whispers and rumors in the Tech world suggest that TikTok might be gearing up for a significant makeover.
While it's gained fame for those quick, captivating videos, TikTok is eyeing a more extensive role as a full-fledged social network. Well, it all began with an article on axios.com that unearthed something interesting – job listings for Android & iOS Developers.
TikTok is not content with just being a platform for entertainment; it wants to be a hub for meaningful social connections. This shift is evident in the recent job listings it posted.
One job posting that catches the eye is that of a "Product manager - TikTok social." The emphasis here is on creating "meaningful social connections between users." This signals TikTok's commitment to moving beyond being just a platform for passive content consumption.
TikTok as a Workplace - Ratings and What They Pay
TikTok, the social media giant, stands at a rating of 3.5 out of 5, a culmination of feedback from over 3,143 employee reviews conducted anonymously. Notably, 58% of these employees express a willingness to recommend TikTok as an employer to their friends, while the same percentage carries a positive outlook for the company's future.
However, it's worth noting that this rating has experienced a -5% decrease over the past 12 months.
In terms of compensation, TikTok's pay scale is quite diverse, ranging from $92,000 annually in the bottom 10th percentile to a substantial $214,000 in the top 90th percentile. On average, TikTok pays its employees $67.66 per hour, with variations observed across different departments.
For the executives steering the ship, the average compensation stands at an impressive $217,249 annually, with a median estimated total of $208,205, or $100 per hour, when considering base salary and bonus. At the apex, the highest compensated executive takes home a whopping $652,000 annually, while the least compensated still earns a respectable $65,000.
The Future of TikTok
One of TikTok's primary focuses is on expanding messaging features. TikTok platform already offers messaging, but honestly, It could be better.
The team responsible for driving this transformation is aptly named "TikTok Social." Within this team, various roles are dedicated to facilitating user connections through messaging and other social features.
Within TikTok, there's a bit of worry. You see, users have this habit of sharing their favorite TikTok videos on different social media and messaging apps whenever they want to chat about them with their buddies. But TikTok isn't taking this lightly.
They're on a mission to keep users engaged right within the app itself, and they're doing it by beefing up their messaging game. They want to make sure that everything users need, including a super-strong messaging system, is right there at their fingertips.
To achieve this, they seek mobile engineers who can build a reliable and adaptive platform for users to interact seamlessly with their real-life friends on TikTok. This move aligns with the broader trend of integrating social features into video-sharing platforms.
Staying True to Its Roots
While TikTok is expanding its horizons, it remains committed to its core identity as an entertainment channel. The platform made its mark with viral videos and will keep that identity as it experiments with new features.
TikTok spokespersons have repeatedly emphasized that entertainment remains at the heart of their business model even as they explore new avenues. So, they will remember their roots while they venture into social networking.
Chanuka Nadun Perera
TikTok already is a larg company. Available in over 160 countries and amassing a staggering 1.1 billion users worldwide. It has been downloaded over 220 million times in the United States. If your brand's target demographic spans anyone between the ages of 13 and 60
TikTok's expansion seems to know no bounds. In the future, who knows what TikTok might have in store? They are already testing a dedicated music app. Maybe we might see TikTok podcasts and even add text posts.
Sources: axios.com
