TikTok has announced plans to expand its investment and presence in the UK as number of monthly users in the market crosses 30 million. According to TikTok, this makes the UK “our largest user community in Europe”.
According to TikTok, there are now over 1.5 million British businesses on TikTok, with Oxford Economics research finding SMEs on TikTok contributing an additional £1.6 billion to the UK economy, whilst supporting 32,000 jobs. The platform said it is aiming to grow its UK workforce this year to 3,000 employees – up by 500.
With TikTok’s ability to operate in the US still in the balance, the Chinese-backed business has been busy reminding everyone about the added value it brings to economies around the world. According to the platform, TikTok has had “a deep commitment to the UK since our launch here in 2018. Our European operations are financially incorporated here, and TikTok UK is our European operating company.
Adam Presser, director of TikTok UK and global head of operations and trust and safety, said: “Whether through direct investment in jobs and innovation, or the wider economic contribution from millions of British businesses on TikTok, we’re pleased to be increasing our investment in the UK. From thriving businesses to breakthrough music stars, from BookTok creators to viral historians, I want to thank the more than 30 million people that make TikTok the vibrant community it is today in the UK.”
Drilling down into the detail, TikTok said its #BookTok creators “have inspired a new generation of readers, with research by the UK Publishers Association finding that 59% of 16 to 25 year olds have discovered a passion for reading because of BookTok. Institutions such as the National Theatre and RSC are bringing arts to new audiences, and we’ve been proud to be able to partner with organisations such as Children in Need and Team GB and over the years. In a recent poll of 500 teens aged 13-17 and their parents, commissioned by TikTok and conducted by OnePoll, 72% of young people said that social media is good at teaching new skills.”
