TikTok is one of the most widely used popular video-sharing platforms on the web and experienced a meteoric adoption rate among users in a relatively short amount of time.

In September 2016, Chinese-based software company ByteDance launched a video-sharing social media application called Douyin. The following year, an international version was launched for the masses to install on their mobile devices named TikTok. The platform quickly established itself as the most downloaded application in the United States in October of 2018 and has persisted in being a social media powerhouse today.

TikTok’s rise to app store domination can largely be attributed to ByteDance’s acquisition of Musical.ly in November of 2017 for a whopping $1 billion. Musical.ly users were automatically integrated into TikTok’s platform after the buyout, and the majority of those users were from the U.S.

Although the DNA of TikTok’s original content trademark—lip-syncing and dance routine videos—are still largely popular on the platform, the application has evolved in its respective markets to offer a wide variety of clips from its user base. Allowing for more long-form videos has allowed for content creators to upload viral storytimes and, in some instances, mini-documentaries about their daily lives.

TikTok’s user base currently stands at approximately 1 billion. Unlike other social media networks, however, there’s a strong argument to be made that it’s the most culturally significant app. Throngs of folks want to be TikTok famous, and numerous individuals have managed to launch successful branding and influencer careers from the application.

Even so, the platform has also become an integral online space for individuals to share their everyday lives—from Instacart shopper woes to corporate workforce pains, and massive Shein hauls to revolutionary shopper-focused hacks. Here, TikTok exists as an essential view of real-world discourse through a digital lens.

Woman talking(l+r), Woman pointing to email(c)

‘I feel so completely grossed out’: Student gets email from professor saying her ‘short skirt’ encouraged ‘fantasy.’ She’s not the only one

‘He told another girl.’

On Mar 27, 2024 by Nina Hernandez

Woman smiling(l+r), Target(c)

‘PERFECT response from the cashier’: Target shopper asks for coupon for having to wait in line for 30 minutes. The employee’s response shocks her

'Let's get Target rich.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Melody Heald

Woman dancing(l+r), olive garden sign(c)

‘And it’s the smallest dish you’ve ever seen’: Olive Garden server tries to convince customers to spend an extra $6 on alfredo sauce with breadsticks

'$6 for a scoop of sauce is crazy.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Brooke Sjoberg

Woman talking(l), Target sign(c), Moldy Muffins(r)

‘That’s why you don’t buy food from Target’: Shopper goes to Target to return moldy muffins. Then she catches them selling more on the shelf

'Nobody's checking those shelves.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Nina Hernandez

Drinks in fridge(l+r), WOman talking(c)

‘This tactic is not fair to customers’: Woman says gas stations are getting rid of price tags on drinks

'GAS STATIONS DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Nina Hernandez

Woman talking(l+r), Walmart(c)

‘Just sent this to HR’: Walmart worker takes a nap during her lunch break. It backfires

'Can you say “FIRED”??'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Grace Fowler

Man talking(l+r), Buick sign(c)

‘Here is what not to do’: Dealer calls out customer who left him a 1-star review after Buick purchase

'1 star reviews hit harder than you guys think.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Charlotte Colombo

Woman talking(l+r), The Cheesecake Factory

‘Former Cheesecake employee… let me just say 1 word’: Customer questions how Cheesecake Factory can cook such a large menu

'I imagine it’s a huge freezer and then just a wall of microwaves.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Beau Paul

Woman talking(l+r), Old Spice stick(c)

‘I thought I was crazy’: Customer says Old Spice used this trick to get away with shrinkflation without people noticing

'Normalize filling it the rest of the way up in the store.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Natasha Dubash

Woman talking(l+r), Margarita(c)

‘Oh OK’: Server calls out customers for being ‘passive aggressive’ when she asks if they want another margarita. Here’s what she means

'I’ll give them the same energy back every time.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Amara Thomas

Man looking surprised(l), AiApply app(c), Ai persona talking(r)

‘My anxiety loves you right now’: Man gets AI clone to do job interview for him

'A tech company I worked for asked interviewees to do certain physical movements.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Allyson Waller

Woman talking(l+r), Baltimore Bridge collapsed(c)

‘I will do this forever now’: Driver shares rule for driving across bridges after Baltimore bridge collapse

'Never heard that but def will do.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Tiffanie Drayton

Person talking (three split)

‘This is why I’m never a regular anywhere’: Smoke shop customer discovers the workers’ secret nickname for him

'That's a good one honestly.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Phil West

Man talking(l+r), Nissan sign(c)

‘It’s called planned obsolescence’: Driver calls out Chrysler, Ford, Subaru, and Nissan cars for restricting repairs

'It's a complete lie.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Braden Bjella

Man talking(l+r), Hand filling up glass with water(c)

‘There’s tap water in the bathroom’: Customer slams bartender who refused to give him tap water

'It's literally dangerous to drink without hydrating.'

On Mar 27, 2024 by Braden Bjella