The debate on Instagram vs. TikTok influencers began when TikTok was launched in 2018. Although these platforms differ in many ways, they are visual-based platforms.
Instagram vs. TikTok, which one is better for influencers? If your primary content goals are to reach more people, get brand recognition, and go viral, TikTok might be better for you. However, if you want to generate more leads, boost conversions, and send prospects to your website, Instagram is a better choice. And if you are a micro-influencer, you will notice more engagement on TikTok than on Instagram.
Before TikTok took the internet by storm, Instagram influencers were indisputably top creators in the social media space. But since the birth of TikTok, the game changed as many people turned to short, entertaining videos.
TikTok has since experienced exponential growth than Instagram. However, Instagram remains the platform for creators wanting to create content for their full-time careers.
So, as an aspiring influencer which platform Instagram vs. TikTok, should you focus on? Let’s begin by highlighting the difference between Instagram and TikTok.
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Statistical Difference Between TikTok and Instagram
While Instagram is the older social media child in this discussion, TikTok has proven to be more than a new social media buzz. Numbers show that marketers cannot ignore this platform in their digital marketing strategies.
Here are some exciting statistics for both platforms.
| TikTok | |
| The average user spends 10.85 minutes on TikTok every time they open the app | The average user session length for Instagram is 7.37 minutes. |
| TikTok has 1 billion monthly active users | 1.4 monthly active users |
| The most downloaded app at 656 million downloads in 2021. | The second most downloaded app at 545 million. |
| More GEenZ users are on TikTok than Instagram, with the platform expected to overtake Snapchat in 2023. | It has a broader audience, appealing to older GenZ-ers and most millennials. |
| 44.6% of millennials use TikTok. | 76.2% of millennials prefer Instagram |
| 11% of digital marketers prefer TikTok. | 89% of marketers use Instagram for their digital marketing. |
| TikTok is the top-grossing app, reaching around $6.3 billion in consumer spending in 2022. |
Now let’s consider the difference between these two social media platforms.
Instagram Vs. TikTok: Other Differences
While TikTok allows you to share only short-form videos, Instagram is a fully-fledged visual platform where you can share photos and videos (both short-form and long-form through its IGTV).
But as you continue using these platforms, you begin to realize more subtle differences. Consider some of them.
1- Audience Demographics
TikTok attracts a younger generation than Instagram, with most users averaging 18 and 24 years old. On the other hand, Instagram users are between 25 and 34 years old.
Statista divided the audience segment between Instagram and TikTok as follows.
| TikTok | ||
| Age | – About 31.7% of users are between 25 and 34 years – About 30.2% of users are between 18 and 24 years – About 15.8% of users are between 35 and 44 years – About 8.9% of users are between 13 and 17 years | – About 25% of users are between 10 and 19 years – About 22.4% of users are between 20 and 29 years – About 21.7 % of users are between 30 and 39 years – About 20.3% of users are between 40 and 49 years |
| Gender | – About 50.7 % of users are males – About 49.3% of users are females | – About 57 % of users are females – About 43% of users are males |
The cross-platform promotion between Instagram and Facebook could explain the difference in audience demographic in TikTok vs. Instagram. Older GenZs and Baby boomers can access Instagram from Facebook.
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2- Content Type And Style
TikTok allows creators to share short-form educational videos, lip-syncing, and personal opinions. You can also create and share music, dance, jokes, and dance videos.
On the other hand, Instagram allows you to share eye-catching imagery. You can share your life through pictures about your travel, meals, and night outs.
The Instagram algorithm can present your audience with your earlier post based on their historical activities on the app. The app can feed posts to allow users to see more than one post at a time.
For instance, if a user prefers videos of images with certain hashtags and subjects, Instagram will likely show them a similar post on the Explore pages.
In contrast, TikTok will only recommend videos it believes you may like one at a time. Users can access videos between “For You” and “Following” videos. “Following” videos only come from accounts you follow, while “For You” videos are a mix of non-followed and followed accounts.
TikTok presents one video at a time to encourage full views rather than partial views experienced by other social media platforms.
3- Social Commerce Features
Since Instagram has been around longer than TikTok, it has more advanced social commerce features. Some of its features include
- Premium pay-per-click advertising,
- In-app shopping,
- Branded AR filters,
- IG Story swipe-ups.
TikTok is still testing its eCommerce features but offers a vibrant influencer ecosystem. The platform has ideal link-sharing avenues, allowing shoppers to decide on sponsored posts.
4- Audio Quality
Since TikTok focuses on video, audio quality is important. Your audience wants to hear and see what your content is all about.
Conversely, Instagram influencers care less about audio because video pictures can generate engagement provided they are high-quality content.
5- Competition
Instagram offers a highly competitive market for influencers, whereas TikTok is fairly new and less competitive.
Instagram influencers focus on creating interactive posts that generate engagement with their audiences. Instagram influencers attract more followers through aesthetics than everyday content.
However, TikTok influencers focus on following hashtag challenges to get more exposure. Therefore, brands will take less time to gain popularity and create awareness with TikTok influencers than with Instagram influencers.
Note: Instagram has 30 times more micro or Nano influencers than TikTok. So, beginner influencers could find a brand to collaborate with on Instagram than on TikTok.
Instagram Vs. TikTok: TikTok Videos And Instagram Reels
Reals and TikTok videos are engaging short videos with the same user experience. They have built-in features such as sounds, effects, filters, and video and photo editing abilities.
While TikTok influencers use the app to create videos, Instagram influencers upload existing videos on their devices or the cloud. Some influencers on both platforms upload their TikTok videos as their Instagram reels.
TikTok also allows creators to spontaneously make a duet by adding another creator’s content. This way, you boost your content and other creators’ videos. TikTok influencers ride on challenges and trends created by others to generate engagement.
On the other hand, Instagram doesn’t have a duet feature since this platform’s content is mostly self-centered. Its influencers and content creators rarely interact, but most of its trendy topics originate from TikTok.
Instagram Vs. TikTok: Stories
Instagram and TikTok stories are similar in various ways. The short stories on both platforms disappear after 24 hours, allowing influencers to tell their audience what they’ve been doing during the day.
A public account holder shares their stories with everyone, but for a private account, only your followers can see your stories.
Stories help influencers engage with their audience and peers without spending too much time posting an entire post.
Instagram and TikTok stories also help influencers get first-hand insight from users. You can ask your audience questions, encourage them to share their views, and create polls.
Instagram Vs. TikTok: Live Stream
Live streaming is a popular feature for various social media users, allowing influencers to engage directly with their audience. On Instagram, you can live stream to
- Promote brands,
- Showcase your routines,
- Share behind the scenes of a party or a holiday you organized,
- Conduct live Q&As.
However, for TikTok live, there are certain rules before you can engage with your followers in real time.
You should be at least 16 to live stream, and if you are 18 years old, you can send and receive cash prizes or another gift.
Is It Easier To Grow On TikTok Or Instagram?
While Instagram is an old social media platform, TikTok is relatively new. So, which one gives you a better chance to thrive as an aspiring influencer?
Before we dive into the answer, let me mention that both platforms have huge audiences that can turn you into an influencer within a short period.
Now, let’s dissect the question. Based on the above statistics, users spend more time on TikTok than on Instagram. This means that TikTok offers you a higher chance of success as n influencer than Instagram.
TikTok is also new, meaning it has low competition than Instagram. You will likely gain more followers to become an influencer faster if you have relevant and entertaining content.
Unlike Instagram, TikTok gets new users daily, which means you can get new followers more quickly than you would with Instagram.
Based on these arguments, it is easier to become an influencer on TikTok than on Instagram. However, since both platforms have different audience demographic, you can choose a platform that suits your niche.
What to read next:
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Final Thoughts
While Instagram has been the best influencer hub for years, TikTok has engulfed the internet space and shows no sign of decline. Users spend more time on TikTok than on other social media platforms, making it a perfect fit for an aspiring influencer.
That is not to say that Instagram has lost its glory. Instagram influencers are still more desired by brands globally for influencer marketing than TikTok influencers. You can earn more money as an Instagram influencer than as a TikTok.
So, while TikTok promises faster growth to become an influencer, you will earn more as an influencer with Instagram.