Comparison of user behavior between TikTok and Douyin
In 2019, I developed a short video social APP for overseas markets. At that time, I did some comparative analysis on the user behaviors of Tiktok and Douyin. Here are some notes from that time.
1. About short videos and live broadcasts
For domestic users, short videos and live broadcasts are both used to create content, so short videos and live broadcasts are both content forms.
For overseas users, short videos and live broadcasts are first and foremost a means of communication. Short videos are first and foremost text messages, except that they send videos. Live broadcasts are first and foremost a phone call, except that they can synchronize video images, whether it is one-to-one or one-to-many.
This is why there are many social apps based on short videos and live communications overseas, while in China, most of them are products that produce short videos and serve to better produce live broadcasts.
2. About fans
For domestic users, fans are money, and the number of followers is the key number used for monetization.
For overseas users, especially European and American users (TikTok's user base is generally younger), fans are friends, and this is a number worth showing off. A large number of younger users on TikTok are generally proud of having many friends.
3. About live broadcast and live broadcast gifts
Domestic live broadcasts are all about content. They are mainly about selling art and goods. The pictures are beautiful, there are all kinds of temptations, and they are very elaborate.
Live streaming overseas, including TikTok, is truly a “communication tool.”
First of all, in terms of the total amount of live broadcasts, it cannot be compared with Douyin.
Then, the most common thing is a woman chatting with a group of men. Picture? Temptation? What is that? Just chatting casually. Such, giving gifts, very rare.
Occasionally, there are performers performing for money, but their quality and popularity are far from those of domestic live broadcasts. The gift-giving situation is also generally incomparable to that of domestic live broadcasts.
