Algorithmic short-form video (Douyin/TikTok)

What it is

Platform of short vertical videos selected by a recommendation algorithm that learns from every gesture the user makes, without relying on who they follow. It is the first globally successful Chinese app and the format every other platform copied.

What it led to

• Fragmented attention and the culture of short-form formats
• The geopolitics of platforms (bans and forced sales)
• Algorithmic recommendation as the dominant design of social networks

Built on

• Mobile broadband: 3G, 4G LTE and 5G2001-2019
• Social network (SixDegrees, Friendster, Facebook)1997-2004
• Video streaming (YouTube, Netflix)2005
• deep learning (recommendation)

Made possible

• Reels and Shorts
• live-stream shopping

Links