Douyin vs. TikTok: A Marketer’s Guide to Key Differences

It is not a surprise that marketers are taking an interest in Douyin and TikTok. Both of these platforms are among the most influential and popular platforms in the world. Both the platforms share the same technology but they cater to distinct features and content strategies. For marketers, understanding these differences is essential to maximize brand visibility and engagement on each platform. This guide from our platform social computing journal aims to explore the key distinctions between Doyuin and TikTok and how brands and businesses can take advantage of them effectively.

Overview: Douyin vs. TikTok

What is Douyin?

Douyin was launched before the birth of TikTok. It is the original version of TikTok that was launched back in 2016 exclusively for the Chinese market. Its advanced e-commerce capabilities make it a top choice for online businesses. It is well integrated into China’s digital ecosystem.

What is TikTok?

TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. It is popular, especially among Gen Z. The international version of Douyin was launched in 2018. The main focus of TikTok is entertainment and social interaction. However, it has also become a major e-commerce boosting platform with the launch of TikTok shop.

Key Differences

User Demographics and Audience Insights

Douyin:

This platform is dominated by educated, urban professionals with a high interest in e-commerce. Usually, the people joining this platform focus on online sales purchases. The content is mainly professional and it is heavily engaged in online shopping. Keep in mind that it is only in China.

TikTok:

The main focus of TikTok is entertainment. It has a diverse global user base, with strong engagement among Gen Z and millennials. It has an increasing presence of users aged 33-35, particularly in the US and Europe.

With the launch of TikTok Shop, this platform has also become an attractive place for buying and selling. You can shop and sell as well.

Marketing Takeaway:

Here are some marketing takeaways for brands and businesses.

• Brands and businesses must tailor their messaging to match each platform’s audience preferences. They target different audiences so, create your content keeping this in mind.
• Localized content is crucial to attract Douyin’s professional audience and TikTok’s entertainment-focused users. So, do some homework before embarking on this journey.

Content Preferences and Trends

Douyin:

Douyin is a professional platform that prioritizes structured, high-quality content such as tutorials, self-improvement, and business insights.  Its algorithm favors content with clear value propositions, often linked to commerce.

TikTok:

Since the main focus of TikTok is entertainment, it is driven by viral trends, music, dance, and engaging storytelling. If you want to establish your brand or business on TikTok, focus on casual, interactive, and fun content as this type of content performs best, making it ideal for brand awareness.

Marketing Takeaway:

Here is what marketers need to keep in mind.

While working on Douyin, your focus should be informative, value-driven content with clear calls to action.

Keeping in mind the audience and the type of platform, your focus should be humor, trends, and challenges to boost organic engagement. It can be a game-changer for you.

Monetization and Advertising Opportunities

What are monetization and advertising opportunities for brands and businesses? Let’s find out. If you are looking for monetization and advertising opportunities, here are some for you.

How to use Douyin for monetization and advertising opportunities?

• Live Shopping: It is an interesting feature of Douyin. Brands can sell products in real-time via influencers and live streams. This makes it an entertaining experience as well.
• In-app Stores: You can make purchases inside the app. It offers a seamless purchasing experience without leaving the app.
• Targeted Ads: If you want to run ads, this platform offers AI-driven ad placements for precision targeting.

How to use TikTok for monetization and advertising?

If you are looking for monetization or advertising opportunities on TikTok, here is what this platform offers.

• Limited Shopping Features: When it comes to shopping, TikTok Shop exists but is less developed than Douyin’s e-commerce system. But it offers many other features as well that you can use.
• Influencer Marketing: Brands and businesses can collaborate with creators for organic product placements. It can expand the reach of your product to a larger audience.
• Paid Ads: TikTok also offers paid ads opportunities. It includes branded hashtag challenges, spark ads, and top-view ads.

Marketing Takeaway:

• Brands looking for direct sales and conversions should prioritize Douyin.
• TikTok is ideal for brand awareness and engagement-driven campaigns.

Marketing Strategies for Each Platform

What marketing strategies do you need to adopt to excel at both of these platforms? Here are the marketing strategies that you need to use for both of these platforms.

For Douyin:

• Leverage E-commerce: You can leverage e-commerce by settings up an in-app store and using KOLs to drive sales.
• Invest in Live Streaming: Live streaming is a fun way to reach a broader audience while showcasing your products or services. You can maximize engagement through interactive product demonstrations. It establishes a more trustworthy relationship with your customers.

• Create High-Quality Content: Keep in mind that professional, informative videos perform best.

For TikTok:

• Follow Trends: You cannot ignore trends when using TikTok. Utilize trending sounds, memes, and challenges to maximize reach. Always find out what is trending before you consider your next move.
• Engage Creators: Influencer marketing is a fast way to reach a large audience and attract others to your brand or business. Start by partnering with influencers for organic exposure.
• Use Paid Ads Wisely: How to find out which ad format is best for you? The answer is “experiment”. Experiment with different ad formats to find the best fit for your brand.

You can read about How to become famous on TikTok?

Case Studies: Successful Brand Campaigns

Douyin Success Story:

• Top luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dior, alongside domestic cosmetic brands like Kans and Proya, are leveraging the e-commerce features of this platform.

TikTok Success Story:

• Some of the most popular brands are using TikTok features. Take the example of the Duolingo language learning app which uses humor and relatable content to engage with users.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Platform

If you are confused about which is the right platform for you, here is the summary of both the platforms.

• Douyin is best for direct e-commerce and professional content marketing.
• TikTok is mainly an entertaining platform that excels in viral brand awareness and social engagement.
• For online success brands should adapt their strategies based on audience behavior and platform features to achieve optimal results.

By understanding the key differences between Douyin and TikTok, marketers can craft targeted campaigns that maximize reach, engagement, and conversion rates in their respective markets.

With an understanding of the key differences between Douyin and TikTok, marketers can craft targeted campaigns that maximize their reach, engagement, and conversion rates in their respective markets. Both platforms have different audiences and features. So, understanding it is important.

Frequently Asked Questions about TikTok and Douyin

What is Chinese TikTok Called?

Douyin is called Chinese TikTok.

Is TikTok Banned in China?

No, TikTok is not banned in China.

Who owns TikTok?

TikTok is owned by the Chinese-based tech company, ByteDance. ByteDance is based in Beijing, China. But it has offices in other countries as well.