TikTok versus Vine

In June 2012, an internet sensation and core component of Gen Z’s childhood was born: Vine. The bite-sized, six-second loop videos that its users created were an instant hit and gave rise to what can arguably be considered staples in our generation’s discography of internet memes—“Look at all those chickens,” “why you always lyin’,” “I’m in me mums car,” “what are THOSE!” and so many more have quickly become integrated into my social circle’s vocabulary and inside jokes. To this day, I still find myself browsing through old content compiled in YouTube videos titled, “vines that cure my depression,” “vines that keep me alive,” etc. in order to distract myself from the ever-growing pile of work I need to complete.

However, like any major social media platform, Vine had its own set of flaws. It was known for its “Explore” page, where users could discover new videos via either a “Popular Now” tab or an “On the Rise” category. Unfortunately, Vine’s algorithm made this page a huge service flaw—it was infamous for promoting old content made by creators with already large followings, making it extremely difficult for small creators to expand their platforms. In other words, Vine supported users who didn’t need the added support, and by continually recycling content, it diluted videos created by small or new users.

In comes TikTok.

With its 15-60 second videos (the limit recently being pushed up to three minutes), users can create content more freely and benefit from immensely more creative freedom with the app’s plethora of tools, filters, effects, and sounds to generate videos. Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm is not creator-specific; rather, its algorithm allows content from new creators to be presented continually. While TikTok users can still follow creators and exclusively see their content, this feature is available on a separate tab. The “For You” page, which conveniently is the first thing users see when they open the app, allows users to discover new content without needing to follow the creator. Here, the marketing gap created by Vine has been fulfilled by its more recent counterpart. “For You” doesn’t necessarily display popular videos—rather, it shows you what you would be interested in. In other words, as a content creator, you could have the smallest following in the app, but a single video can reach tens of thousands of screens with the right content and target audience. It has allowed small businesses to take off and completely new content creators to gain large followings.

This adapted feature only scratches the surface of why TikTok is better than Vine. While Vine was used for purely comedic purposes, TikTok has grown into a multi-faceted source of entertainment, news, education, and art that brings users together in communities in which they interact with areas of common ground. From fandom skits to mini theater productions,  science videos to activist discussions, digital artwork to travel blogs, TikTok has gained immense power as a platform. The app has become a space for people to share their ideas, engage in active global discussions on societal matters, promote their art, and interact with others who have the same interests in entertainment. TikTok’s algorithm enables a huge number of views for political hashtags through its organic content promotion, so even the newest political movement can gain sufficient traction to trigger societal change. From the Black Lives Matter movement to climate strikes, the “Me Too” movement, the LGBTQ+ rights movement, the #StopAsianHate movement, and more, the app has become an efficient way to call out inequalities, amplify movements, organize protests, and spread awareness about global issues. Vine was far from able to fulfill such a purpose.

Another one of my favorite aspects of TikTok is its ability to promote theatrical and audiovisual art—it allows artists of all genres and backgrounds to share their work and even potentially make a living out of it. I strongly believe that TikTok creators, unlike those on Vine, are actual artists. It takes an immense amount of creativity to create effective content on the app—be it through transitions, filters, makeup, effects, screenwriting, audiovisuals, and more. A great example is @meglevv, a BFA student in acting who shares her short films on the app. A personal favorite video series of mine is her film series for Fine Line, Harry Styles album. In the video series, she developed mini music videos based on each song (here’s an example). Several dancers, including @thexhan and @mitchdunkillmyvibe, have also taken to TikTok to share content and spread positive energy through dance and music. Furthermore, TikTok is arguably best known for its audio remixes. Be it insanely beautiful mashups (e.g. Happier than ever, the R&B version;  Midnight City x Say So; driver’s license x ocean eyes) or hilarious audio remixes (e.g. Mickey Mouse x Send My Love, “oh no our table is broken” x toxic), the app is home to a range of auditory entertainment that, in my opinion, forms a core component of its appeal to such a wide audience. 

Lastly, TikTok’s ability to adapt and morph in response to pop culture and mass interest greatly outshines Vine’s lack of progress and development over the duration of its existence. Aside from regularly fixing bugs and improving general app performance, TikTok flexibly responds to public demands for certain effects, filters, and app functions. A great example of this adaptability is its recent update, which allows users to individually respond to videos sent to them. Needless to say, I’m beyond grateful that I no longer need to number my reaction responses to the 46 TikToks my best friend sends me daily. Another notable example is its inclusion of a “cinematic transition” effect in response to thirst trap creators sparking online discussions on its usefulness, considering the level of technique it takes to develop a thirst trap on the app (another reason for its mass appeal, if I may say so myself). 

It is undeniable that Vine triggers a sense of nostalgia in me that no other social media app can. However, it is equally clear that TikTok’s appeal to such a wide community, via its flexibility, versatility, user-friendliness, and discography of video tools, is an indication of its persistence over the long run. TikTok transformed internet culture—through the way it triggers meaningful global discussions, creates networks of individuals of similar interest, and provides a platform to share art, entertainment, and information of all kinds—and is far from being Vine’s “knock-off” replacement.