Instagram vs. TikTok: Which One Is Better?

Instagram and TikTok are the world’s top social media platforms, with over 3.8 billion users all together. They are key in social media and brand marketing.

This article compares Instagram and TikTok in detail. We look at their journey, special features, algorithms, who uses them, likes, posts, influencer power, and more. By the end, you will know their strengths and pick the best for different goals.

This guide is for social media influencers, freelancers, business owners, digital marketing agencies, and anyone who wants to join or improve their presence on Instagram and TikTok. It will give you insights to boost your online presence and success.

The Rise of Instagram and TikTok

Instagram and TikTok have grown really fast. Today, they are key players in our digital world. Their impact is huge.

Instagram:

It started in 2010 and quickly drew in users. People liked sharing photos and telling stories through pictures. Its simple design and easy-to-use tools made it very popular. It soon became essential for influencers and brands to connect with their fans. In April 2012, Facebook Inc. acquired Instagram.

TikTok:

TikTok began in 2016 and gained global fame after merging with Musical.ly in 2018. It’s all about short videos, which attracted younger users. Its smart technology found popular videos fast, and this drew in more users quickly.

Both platforms give us fun and quick content. This is why they’re now so important in social media.

By learning more about Instagram and TikTok, we’ll see why they’re so important. We’ll understand what they offer that keeps us coming back.

Features

Instagram Features:

Instagram is well-known for its features. These social media platform help users connect, share, and interact. You can post photos and videos easily. This lets you show your creativity and share your stories.

• Story feature: Instagram offers a Stories feature called “Instagram Story” for sharing short-lived photos and videos. They disappear after 24 hours. It’s great for fun and spur-of-the-moment posts.
• IGTV: With IGTV, long videos can be uploaded. It gives creators a chance to share more detailed content with fans.
• Direct messaging: It also has direct messaging, perfect for chatting privately with friends and brands. For businesses, it’s a great way to talk to customers and build connections.
• Explore page: Instagram’s Explore page shows content you might like. This can introduce you to new accounts and trends that match your interests.
• Shopping tags and checkout: Instagram allows shops to tag products, making it easy for you to shop within the app.

TikTok Features:

TikTok is quickly becoming popular, especially among young users. It’s all about short, creative videos. Among its features are:

• Video creation tools: TikTok has a lot of effects and tools for making your videos fun. You can add music, filters, and more to your clips.
• Discover trending challenges: On Tik Tok, you can find what’s trending easily. This page highlights challenges and tags that everyone’s talking about.
• Duets and collaborations: It’s easy to make videos with others. You can record a reaction or join someone in a duet. This promotes making content together.
• For You page: Tik Tok’s For You page shows you videos you’ll probably like. It’s designed to keep you seeing content that interests you.
• Livestreaming: It also has a live streaming feature. This lets creators and their fans interact in real time. It makes the platform feel more social.
• Sound library and music integration: TikTok has a big library of songs and sounds. You can use them to make your videos more interesting.

Feature Comparison: Instagram vs. TikTok

Algorithms: How Content is Discovered

In this section, we’ll look into how Instagram and TikTok decide what content you see. These platforms use algorithms to show you content you’re likely to find interesting. This way, your feed stays fresh and engaging.

Instagram Algorithm:

The Instagram algorithm focuses on what you’ve liked and interacted with before. It also looks at when a post was made and how much people like it. For instance, if a post gets many likes and comments quickly, it’s shown to more people.

TikTok Algorithm:

Talking about the TikTok algorithm, it picks content based on what you enjoy the most. It checks what you watch, who you follow, and how you interact with videos. This helps TikTok suggest videos that it thinks you’ll love.

Both systems try to show you content you’ll find exciting. To make the most of it, creating top-notch content that fits your interests is key. This helps you grow your audience and enjoy a better content experience.

Know Your Target Audience

Understanding who you’re trying to reach is key for businesses. This way, they can make the best use of their marketing. They aim to connect with people who are likely to be interested in what they offer.

Here, we’ll look at who uses Instagram and TikTok, like where they’re from and their ages. This info is really helpful for businesses.

Total Worldwide Active Users of Instagram vs. TikTok

Instagram and TikTok are both well-liked around the world. By 2024, Instagram had reached over 2 billion active users. This makes it very popular globally. TikTok, not as old but growing fast, has hit over 1.8 billion users. It shows how quickly it’s catching on.

Users by Top 10 Countries: Instagram vs. Tiktok

Instagram’s users come from many places, but the India leads with over 362 million users. Then, USA at over 169 million and Brazil at over 134 million users. 

In comparison, TikTok shines in the USA with over 148 million users followed by Indonesia with more than 126 million users making the second heighest TikTok users country in the world. Yet, it’s also big in the Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam and Turkey.

User by Age: Instagram Vs. Tiktok

User by Age: Instagram

In January 2024, lots of people on Instagram were young! About 32% were between 18 and 24 years old, and nearly the same, 30.6%, were a bit older, between 25 and 34.

Some users, around 16%, were between 35 and 44 years old. And around 21.6% were 45+ years old. So, it seems like Instagram is super popular with young adults, but there are also many grown-ups enjoying it too!

User by Age: Tik Tok

On the other hand on TikTok, the age groups of users are quite interesting! A big part, about 36.7%, are young adults between 18 and 24 years old. Following them closely, around 32.6%, are people aged 25 to 34.

Grown-ups aged 35 to 44 make up around 16% of users, while those between 45 and 54 years old represent 8.3%. Users aged 55 and up make up a smaller but still significant 6.3%. It seems like TikTok is popular across a wide range of ages, from young adults to more mature users!

Users by Gender: Instagram vs. TikTok

Instagram and TikTok have different gender compositions among their users. On Instagram, almost half, 49.4%, are female, while slightly more, 50.6%, are male.

Meanwhile, on TikTok, there are more females, making up 57% of users, while males make up 43%. So, it seems like both platforms are popular with both female and male users, but TikTok has a bit more girls using it compared to Instagram!

Engagement Statistics: Instagram Vs. TikTok

To understand how much time people spend on Instagram and TikTok, we look at monthly averages. These numbers tell us a lot. We learn how much each platform affects daily life and why users love them.

Monthly Average Time Spend on Instagram App

Millions of people globally love Instagram. They spend about 14 hours 50 minutes every month on it. This shows they enjoy the content and features. For businesses, this is a big chance to show their stuff to interested users.

Monthly Average Time Spend on TikTok App

TikTok is where the younger crowd hangs out online. People are spending more time on it, now up to 23.3 hours a month. This big jump in use shows how popular TikTok is for both watching and making fun videos. For companies, it’s a cool way to get creative with ads and reach young consumers.

Looking at Instagram and TikTok stats helps businesses see where they fit best. Both have a lot of user engagement, meaning great chances for marketing and forming connections.

Popular Content Category: Instagram vs. TikTok

While specific content category rankings can be fluid, here’s a breakdown of popular categories on each platform:

Instagram:

• Fashion & Style: From runway looks to street style, fashion reigns supreme on Instagram.
• Travel & Adventure: Breathtaking landscapes, cityscapes, and travel experiences thrive here.
• Food & Recipes: Mouthwatering dishes, food trends, and artistic plating dominate this category.
• Beauty & Makeup: Tutorials, product reviews, and stunning makeup looks are a constant presence.
• Fitness & Wellness: Inspirational workout routines, healthy recipes, and motivational content find a home here.
• Dance & Choreography (Less prominent due to photo-centric format)
• Comedy & Entertainment (Limited space for short-form humor compared to TikTok)
• DIY & Crafts (Fewer tutorials compared to TikTok’s longer format)
• Motivation & Inspiration (Limited format for in-depth inspirational content)

TikTok:

• Dance & Choreography: Viral trends, challenges, and creative dance routines are a core element of TikTok.
• Comedy & Entertainment: Skits, pranks, funny challenges, and comedic storytelling dominate this category.
• DIY & Crafts: Easy-to-follow tutorials, life hacks, and creative craft projects are a huge hit.
• Motivation & Inspiration: Short, impactful content focused on self-improvement, career advice, or overcoming challenges.
• Beauty & Makeup (Focus on trends, challenges, and quick transformations)
• Food & Recipes (Emphasis on quick hacks, recipe shortcuts, and visually appealing dishes)
• Fashion & Style (Focus on trend pieces, outfit challenges, and quick style tips)

Social Media Influencers on Instagram vs. TikTok

In social media, influencers are key for setting trends and pushing products. We’ll compare top Instagram and TikTok influencers. This will include their reach, power, and what they charge for a post. It’ll give us a peek into how influencer marketing works.

Top 10 Influencers on Instagram and TikTok

These are the leading influencers on Instagram and TikTok, with over 1 million followers. They’ve made a big splash with their content and interactions.

Instagram’s top influencers have massive followings, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the pack at a staggering 627 million followers. Other Instagram giants include Lionel Messi with 502 million followers, Selena Gomez with 429 million, and Kylie Jenner with 400 million.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ariana Grande also boast huge followings, with 397 million and 380 million followers respectively.

TikTok, on the other hand, has its own set of influential creators, with Khaby Lame and Charli D’Amelio leading the charge with 161.8 million and 152.2 million followers respectively.

While Instagram influencers tend to be celebrities and public figures, TikTok influencers like Bella Poarch and MrBeast have also amassed substantial followings, with 93.9 million and 93.7 million followers respectively.

Despite the difference in follower counts, both platforms have influencers who wield significant influence and engage with millions of users worldwide.

Influencer Rates per Post on Instagram and TikTok

Working with influencers means you pay for their services.

here’s a breakdown of approximate influencer rates per post on Instagram and TikTok (as of April 2024):

Instagram:

Influencer rates on Instagram vary greatly depending on several factors, including:

• Follower Count: Generally, the more followers an influencer has, the higher their rate. Here’s a basic breakdown:

• Engagement Rate: Influencers with high engagement (likes, comments, shares) typically command higher rates.

• Content Type: Rates can vary depending on the type of content requested (photo, video, story, etc.).

• Industry: Rates can differ based on the influencer’s niche (fashion, beauty, travel, etc.).

TikTok:

Similar to Instagram, TikTok influencer rates depend on various factors, including:

• Follower Count: The larger the following, the higher the potential cost.
• Engagement Rate: High engagement typically translates to higher rates.
• Content Type: Video content (TikTok’s core format) is the primary focus, but rates can vary based on complexity.
• Industry: Niche expertise can influence rates.

Here’s a comparison table of general range for Instagram vs. TikTok’s  influencer rates:

Keep in mind:

• These are approximate figures, and actual rates can vary significantly.
• Negotiation plays a big role in influencer marketing.
• Many factors beyond follower count contribute to a successful influencer campaign (niche relevance, target audience alignment, etc.).

Here are some resources for more specific TikTok influencer rates:

• Insense: https://insense.pro/blog/insense-is-a-tiktok-creative-marketing-partner
• Business of Apps: https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/influencer-marketing-costs-rates-pricing
• Influencer Marketing Hub: https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/
• Hootsuite: https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-definitions/influencer-marketing/
• Impact: https://influencermarketinghub.com/impact-com/

Instagram vs. TikTok: Which is better for Business or brands?

We’ll look at how Instagram and TikTok work for companies and brands. We’ll dive into what each offers for insights and analytics. Also, we’ll talk about their different marketing strategies and how much it costs to advertise. This will help businesses decide on the best platform for their marketing needs.

Analytics and Insights: Instagram vs. TikTok

Instagram and TikTok give businesses data on their audience and post performance. Instagram offers info on who follows you, how posts perform, and more.

TikTok shows you who watches your videos and how your followers are growing. These details help businesses see what their audience likes. They can use this to make better content and plans.

Advertising Cost Comparison: Instagram vs. TikTok

Choosing the right platform for your advertising campaign is crucial. While both Instagram and TikTok offer vast user bases, their advertising costs and ideal audience demographics can differ. Let’s delve into the key factors affecting advertising costs on each platform.

Cost Factors:

• Target Audience: Reaching your ideal audience is essential. Consider your target age group, interests, and online behavior. Instagram tends to skew slightly older (18-34) with a strong focus on visuals. TikTok leans younger (18-24) and thrives on short-form video content. Aligning your campaign with the platform’s dominant demographic can potentially lower costs.
• Bidding Strategy: Both platforms offer various bidding options, allowing you to set a maximum amount you’re willing to pay for specific actions (clicks, impressions, etc.). Optimizing your bid strategy based on your goals can influence cost efficiency.
• Campaign Type: The type of campaign you run (brand awareness, conversions, etc.) can affect advertising costs.

General Cost Comparison:

While exact costs can vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above, here’s a general comparison:

• Instagram: Instagram advertising costs can range from $0.05 – $1.00 per click (CPC) and $5.00 – $20.00 per thousand impressions (CPM). Reports suggest Instagram Reels ads might be slightly cheaper than their TikTok counterparts.

• TikTok: Advertising costs on TikTok can vary from $0.01 – $0.10 per click (CPC) and $1.00 – $10.00 per thousand impressions (CPM). However, due to TikTok’s younger user base, reaching specific demographics with high disposable income might be more expensive compared to Instagram.

Additional Considerations:

• Engagement: High engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) can lead to lower costs on both platforms. Engaging content organically can build brand awareness and potentially reduce reliance on paid advertising.
• Campaign Complexity: More complex campaigns with specific targeting or advanced features might incur higher costs on both platforms.

The best platform for your advertising campaign depends on your target audience, goals, and budget. Instagram might be a better choice for visually appealing content targeting a slightly older demographic.

TikTok excels with engaging short-form videos and reaching a younger audience. Analyzing all these factors and considering the potential for organic engagement growth will help you make an informed decision about where to invest your advertising budget.

Advertising ROI Comparison: Instagram vs. TikTok

Future Predictions: What’s Next for Instagram and TikTok

We’ll look into what the future holds for Instagram and TikTok. They are two giant social media platforms right now. It’s key for companies to keep an eye on what’s new and adjust their strategies for changing social media habits.

Emerging Trends in Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is always changing. To keep up, spotting and welcoming new trends is vital. For Instagram and TikTok, a few trends are set to define their paths ahead:

• Short-Form Video Dominance: Short videos are big on both Instagram and TikTok. More focus will be on making these videos fun and eye-catching, to hook viewers.
• Authentic and Transparent Content: Expect to see more honest and relatable posts on both apps. People want realness from brands and influencers. Places that offer this will do well.
• Interactive and Immersive Experiences: Get ready for more things you can do and touch on both platforms. Expect more AR, games, and interactive ads.

Adapting to Changes in Social Media Behavior

User habits change, and so will platforms like Instagram and TikTok. They need to stay interesting and grow. They might need to think about a few things, such as:

• Privacy and data protection: Both Instagram and TikTok may improve how they handle your data. They might be more clear about how they use it.
• Curation and personalization: What you see might get more fine-tuned to your likes. Instagram and TikTok might tweak their systems to show you what you’ll really be interested in.
• E-commerce integration: Shopping without leaving the app may get even easier. Both platforms will work on smoother buying options.

Things are always changing on these platforms. Businesses need to watch for new trends and shifts in how people use social media. By keeping their methods up to date, businesses can reach out to their audience in the best way on Instagram and TikTok.

The days ahead for Instagram and TikTok are full of opportunity. By keeping up with new trends and meeting changes in social media, these platforms can keep changing the digital marketing space.

Which is better? Instagram or TikTok

We will look at Instagram and TikTok separately to see their benefits. Instagram is great for some reasons, and TikTok rocks for others. This review aims to help businesses and people pick the best fit for them based on their goals and needs.

Why Instagram is better?

Instagram leads as a top social platform, with plenty of perks for both users and businesses. It shines for a few key reasons:

1. Broader User Base: With over 1 billion people using it each month, there’s a huge crowd to connect with. This is golden for businesses and influencers.
2. Visual Appeal: Known for its cool visual content, it’s perfect for businesses wanting to show off their looks or products.
3. Advanced Analytics: Instagram offers tools that help businesses keep track of their success and learn about their fans. This is key for making smart decisions.
4. Social Commerce: It supports shopping right from posts with shoppable tags. Businesses can easily sell to their followers.
5. Influencer Marketing: Instagram is a big spot for influencers to team up with brands. This helps get the word out about products or services.

Why TikTok is better?

TikTok has quickly become a fan favorite, with its unique traits pulling in people and brands. Let’s look at what makes TikTok stand out:

1. Engaging and Viral Content: Because of its special way of showing content, TikTok is where viral things happen. This draws in a big, interested crowd.
2. Youthful and Trendy Demographic: It’s mostly Gen Z users, making it the spot to catch the eye of younger folks. It’s good for getting your brand out there.
3. Authenticity and Creativity: TikTok’s focus on short, creative videos lets businesses connect with people in real and fun ways. This builds a stronger bond.
4. Innovative Advertising Options: It offers cool ad choices like unique hashtags, AR, and challenges. This helps companies stand out in exciting ways.
5. Global Reach: TikTok is all around the world, which is perfect for businesses aiming to grow beyond their local audience.

Final Verdict: Instagram or TikTok?

After looking deeply at Instagram and TikTok, we’ve decided which is best. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so they’re good for different social media needs.

Instagram is powerful for marketing and working with influencers. It lets brands reach out through Stories, Reels, and IGTV. Its focus on engaging users helps businesses connect with their audiences. Also, the platform is set to keep growing and improving, according to experts.

TikTok, on the other hand, is making big waves, especially with younger people. It’s all about short, fun videos backed by music and effects. TikTok’s special “For You” page helps new content be discovered, boosting organic reach. It’s also becoming a hotspot for selling products, giving businesses a new way to connect with swift-moving audiences.

So, choosing between Instagram and TikTok depends on your marketing goals and who you want to reach. Instagram is well-known and full of tools for brand promotion. TikTok, though, is quickly growing and offers fresh ways to engage with your audience.

It’s smart to consider what each app brings to the table for your business. There’s value in using both Instagram and TikTok in a balanced way for your marketing efforts. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits each platform offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some key features of Instagram and TikTok?

• Instagram lets you share photos and videos, post stories, go live, and message people directly. It’s also big on using hashtags and filters. TikTok, though, is mainly about sharing fun, short videos. You’ll find cool effects, the option to lip-sync to songs, and challenges there. Each one has its special way of helping you connect with your fans.

How much time do users spend on Instagram and TikTok?

• People spend around 14 hours 50 minutes a month on Instagram  which comes to 29.7 minutes per day and 23.3 hours on TikTok which comes to 46.6 minute spent daily. This shows how much both platforms are used and liked. Knowing this can help businesses see the chance they have to connect with customers.

What are the popular content categories on Instagram and TikTok?

• Lifestyle, fashion, travel, food, and beauty do well on Instagram. TikTok fans love to watch comedy, dancing, challenges, lip-syncs, and learn new things. These insights tell you what people enjoy viewing.

Who are some popular influencers on Instagram and TikTok?

• Across both Instagram and TikTok, comedy reigns supreme with Khaby Lame leading the pack at over 160 million followers. Charli D’Amelio takes the dance crown on TikTok, while fashion and beauty enthusiasts might follow Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez on Instagram.

How can influencers monetize their presence on Instagram and TikTok?

• Influencers can earn money through sponsorships, affiliate links, selling products, exclusive content, or working with brands. The variety of ways to make money on these platforms is big. It shows how creative and entrepreneurial influencers can be.

How do the algorithms of Instagram and TikTok work?

• On Instagram, the algorithm looks at how much people like, comment, and share your posts. It also checks if your post is new and how much it fits your followers’ interests. TikTok, however, focuses more on what you do. The system learns from what videos you watch or interact with. Then, it suggests more based on that.

Which platform, Instagram or TikTok, is better suited for businesses and brands?

• Thinking about your goals and who you want to attract is key in choosing. Instagram is strong on detailed insights and reaching a wide audience. TikTok shines when it comes to making something go viral and appealing to the young. Always evaluate what you need for your brand’s success.

What is the future for Instagram and TikTok?

• Instagram and TikTok’s future success depends on how well they adapt to new trends and changes in how we use social media. Instagram may focus more on shopping and better videos. TikTok could become even more known for neat, original videos. This points to their growing importance in business and marketing.

What are the advantages of Instagram and TikTok individually?

• Instagram rocks for easily reaching many people and making stunning content. It’s also great for working with famous faces. TikTok stands out for its unique, trending challenges and fun video-making tools. Both are great for promoting your business, depending on how you want to connect with your audience.

What is the best Instagram or TikTok?

• It all depends on your goals and who you want to talk to. Both platforms offer something special for reaching people. Think about what your brand needs to shine and who you are trying to reach to pick the right one.