Using Social media platforms for scrolling can leave you behind compared to those who actively post quality content for their branding. Success goes to those who work for it. Search engines and users love first-hand knowledge, but many get confused about how to start and what is the right choice between Instagram and TikTok for their business growth.
If you want to open new doors of opportunities, You have to make strategies that help you stand out among the crowd. Social media platforms are becoming competitive and there are million-dollar questions about Instagram vs TikTok. Which one is best? Let’s peep in and know the helping medium for your personal branding.
Clear Picture: Instagram vs. TikTok
For anyone in the UK who wants to target a young audience and go viral overnight, TikTok is for them, and for those who want to create the exact image of their brands and build long-term relationships, Instagram can be a great place. But how do you know which is the right choice for your brand? Digging it deep will help you decide your first move.
Instagram was launched in 2010, and till now it’s a rising platform where users can engage with photos, videos, Stories, Reels, and Carousels. You can say it is perfect when people want to build an image for their brand and you will be amazed to know that Instagram ad revenue topped $25 billion in 2023 and many established brands enjoy sales and conversion without making websites and running ad campaigns.
TikTok was introduced in 2016, and became a buzzing street festival. TikTok changed many lives and became a hub of creativity, authenticity, and viral trends. The platform consists of raw, engaging content that grabs the attention of any age group member within seconds.
Choosing the right platform depends on your goals and the type of content you want to create.
Platform | Monthly Active Users | Core Demographic Age Group |
1.44 billion | 18-34 years | |
TikTok | Over 1 billion | 19-29 years |
TikTok: The King of Going Viral
TikTok is for fun, creativity, and fast success. From viral dance challenges to lip-sync videos; You can get noticed easily. If we talk about the content format, It is purely video-based, moreover, there are built-in tools for editing to make easy and dynamic content.
TikTok algorithms are very smart as they push relevant content to users’ “For You” pages, and this can give your brand instant success and reputation.
One more thing, driving engagement on TikTok is not any more challenging, TikTok gives you in-depth analytics TikTok Help Centre, such as who’s watching your videos, and how much time they’re spending, so you can get a clear idea about what’s working and what’s not.
It’s an arena where you can let your hair down and connect with a target audience to get TikTok followers for your branding.
Instagram: The All-Rounder of Social Media
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Instagram has been the favorite social media app for over a decade and it is still booming because it caters to personal connections and diverse content formats.
It offers Posts, Stories, Reels, IGTV (now integrated into posts), and Carousels. It’s great for sharing a mix of polished and behind-the-scenes content. Engagement revolves around Instagram likes and followers, comments, shares, and saves. Stories and direct messaging allow personal interaction, fostering long-term relationships with followers.
Meta Business Help Centre and Instagram’s built-in Insights tell performance metrics for posts, audience demographics, and engagement rates. It’s invaluable for refining your strategy.
Focus on self-promotion and creating engaging video content to stay relevant if you want people to know about your brand. With so many formats available, Instagram still offers plenty of opportunities to share your story and keep followers engaged. Your personal branding is incomplete without Instagram. Take a start! But before that have a look at the comprehensive comparison.
Brief Comparison; Instagram vs. TikTok
To choose the right medium, it is important to know the general dynamics like their audience’s age, their preferences, content format, and algorithms.
Here are other key differences;
- Content Format
Instagram uses polished, high-quality content with complex edits. While TikTok uses raw, authentic videos with simple edits through in-app tools. TikTok has a better editing library with effects and sounds. TikTok is beginner-friendly and many small creators prefer TikTok because it is cheaper and easy to create content.
- Content Display
Instagram uses an endless scrolling format. You see the current post and hints of the ones before or after. On the other hand, TikTok shows only one video at a time. This encourages you to watch each video fully, increasing views and completion rates.
- Algorithms
Instagram promotes content based on creator popularity and past engagement. This benefits larger accounts. TikTok’s algorithm is action-based. It tracks likes, shares, comments, and search activity to show content, giving smaller accounts a fair chance.
- Audience Dynamics
All the youngsters, including school-going kids, enjoy TikTok while Instagram attracts people aged between 18-44.
- User Behavior
A young user opens TikTok to get entertained or sometimes to see informational content and DIY hacks while an Instagram user intends to stay updated about their favorite brands, friends, and family and what they are doing in their lives.
- Marketing
Both platforms have different styles and cost when it comes to ads. TikTok ads are more likely trending sounds with basic edits whereas Instagram ads are highly produced and start at $5/day. Instagram reels are even less expensive and maximize the content reach.
The TikTok campaign is a bit more expensive than Instagram and costs up to $50 campaign-level, and $20 group-level.
- Influencer Cooperation
Many reels on Instagram are produced to appeal to the user aesthetically while TikTok videos are raw, natural, and relatable, and every class man can relate to them.
TikTok influencers charge $4 to $1,034 per post, while Instagram influencers charge $10 to $2,500.
Feature | TikTok | |
Audience | Broader (18-34 years old) | Younger (19-29 years old) |
Content Style | Polished, professional | Creative, raw, and authentic |
Discoverability | Relies on hashtags, Explore page, and Reels | Intuitive algorithm for viral reach |
Best For | Long-term relationships, professionalism | Rapid growth, playful branding |
Engagement | Likes, comments, and personal interaction | Shares, challenges, and trending content |
Analytics | Built-in Insights for performance tracking | Detailed tools for audience behavior |
Similarities Between Instagram & TikTok
Instagram and TikTok, are similar in many ways but still show different results when you start your personal branding on these social media apps. We have compiled some similarities to help you decide on the right platform. These common parameters do not mean that the results of personal marketing will be the same. Consistency, quality content, focus, and dedication on any platform can bring positive outcomes.
Feature | TikTok | |
Visual Focus | Emphasizes video content with a creative twist | Combines photos, videos, and Stories for diverse content |
Short-Form Video | Offers short videos (up to 3 minutes) | Features Reels, a similar short video format |
Creative Tools | Provides extensive editing tools and effects | Offers a variety of filters and editing capabilities for videos and photos |
User Engagement | Encourages interaction through challenges and trends | Allows engagement via polls, questions in Stories, and comments |
Content Discovery | Utilizes a personalized “For You Page” | Uses an “Explore Page” for content discovery |
Music Integration | Extensive music library for video soundtracks | Allows music integration in Reels |
Live Streaming | Supports live streaming with interactive features | Also offers live-streaming options |
Community Building | Fosters a strong sense of community through duets and collaborations | Builds community through comments and direct messaging |
Our Recommendation; Instagram vs TikTok
Our social media experts suggest presence on both platforms, whether it is Instagram or TikTok, Online presence matters because TikTok gives you a chance to get noticed by the target audience Instantly while Instagram is very helpful to build deeper, lasting connections. The best part is you don’t have to double your workload to be successful in both. You can create an entertaining video on TikTok and post it as a reel or Story on Instagram. You should choose both apps for your brand’s marketing.
You must try TikTok’s buzz-worthy energy and Instagram’s relationship-building power with the same piece of content. Isn’t it amazing? It’s a win-win situation.
Final Thoughts
The “best” platform depends on your goals, target audience, and content style. We hope this comprehensive guide has directed you to the right path for your personal brand marketing. Above we discussed what TikTok and Instagram are. Their differences and similarities.
TikTok is unmatched for rapid growth and creativity, while Instagram excels in building a professional, polished image with lasting connections. Ideally, strategically leveraging both platforms will help you build a well-rounded personal or brand presence. Do not be confused, make a TikTok video, post it on Instagram as a Story and Reel, and enjoy the response.
If you are still tossed by confusion, and uncertain about your digital marketing strategy? Reach us, and we will guide you through it. Let’s create your brand because there are never-ending opportunities.
Excluded Content
The answer to it can determine your approach and budget.
But there’s a bit of an issue: it’s not an easy pick. In fact, it can be as hard as picking between a chocolate chip cookie and a brownie—pretty hard, right? 😥
Good thing you’re here!
We’ve done the hard work for you by comparing the two platforms to reveal their unique strengths. We’ll also tell you which one may be best for your brand.
In the world of TikTok, believing in your content and this platform can revolutionize your career path. You can try and inform us later.