Is TikTok the Same as Musical.ly? Why Did It Change Its Name?

In the world of social media, TikTok has taken the world by storm. It's the most popular app for short-form videos, allowing users to create, edit, and share 15-second videos set to music. But for those who were around before TikTok's rise to fame, the app may seem familiar. That's because it used to be called Musical.ly. In this article, we'll explore the similarities and differences between TikTok and Musical.ly, and why the app changed its name.

Is TikTok the Same as Musical.ly? Why Did It Change Its Name?

What was Musical.ly?

Musical.ly was an app that allowed users to create and share 15-second videos of themselves lip-syncing to popular songs. It was launched in 2014 by Chinese entrepreneurs Alex Zhu and Luyu Yang and quickly gained popularity among young people around the world. The app had over 200 million registered users before it was acquired by Chinese tech giant ByteDance in 2017.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a social media app that allows users to create and share short-form videos set to music. It was launched in 2016 by ByteDance for the Chinese market under the name Douyin. In 2018, the app was launched internationally as TikTok. It quickly became a global sensation, with over 1 billion active users worldwide.

What are the similarities between TikTok and Musical.ly?

Both TikTok and Musical.ly allow users to create and share short-form videos set to music. The app interface is also very similar, with users being able to browse and discover videos by swiping up and down. Additionally, many of the features that were popular on Musical.ly, such as filters, effects, and duets, have been carried over to TikTok.

What are the differences between TikTok and Musical.ly?

One of the biggest differences between TikTok and Musical.ly is the focus on original content. While Musical.ly was primarily used for lip-syncing to popular songs, TikTok encourages users to create their own original content. Additionally, TikTok has a wider range of video editing tools and effects, allowing users to create more complex and engaging videos.

Why did Musical.ly change its name to TikTok?

In 2017, ByteDance acquired Musical.ly for $1 billion and merged it with its own app, Douyin. The company decided to rebrand the app as TikTok in order to appeal to a broader international audience. The new name reflects the app's focus on short-form videos and the "ticking" sound of a clock, which represents the app's quick and addictive nature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, TikTok and Musical.ly share many similarities, but there are also some key differences. TikTok has a wider range of video editing tools and encourages users to create original content. Musical.ly, on the other hand, was primarily used for lip-syncing to popular songs. The app changed its name to TikTok to appeal to a broader international audience and reflect its focus on short-form videos.