Thanks to the popularity of TikTok, the world is now able to enjoy funny videos ranging from gaming hacks to celebrity meltdowns. The video platform has been described as “the next big thing” because of its unique blend of content that can range from funny to heartwarming to shocking.
The ability to make money online with videos is undoubtedly here to stay. Thanks to platforms like YouTube, which is owned by Google, as well as TikTok, where advertisers pay to have their products and services featured, creating videos to make money is now easier than ever.
But to ensure you make the right choices and choose the right platform to reach your audience, it’s essential to understand what these video apps are and how they work. Here, we’ll provide you with an overview of the two most popular video apps: TikTok and YouTube.
How Do YouTube And TikTok Work?
At their core, YouTube and TikTok are quite similar. Launched in 2008 and 2011, respectively, both apps allow users to watch videos and share them with others. While the user interfaces and the ways in which you can browse content may look different, the functionality is the same.
As a user, you’ll find that the experience on both apps is extremely similar. When you open the app, you’ll be presented with a feed of videos categorized into different content genres, including news, comedy, music, and so on. To discover content, you can scroll through cards that display images and short descriptions of video content.
To save videos you like, you’ll need to subscribe to a service called YouTube Premium. This will allow you to keep any videos you want without needing to worry about running out of data. (You can read about YouTube’s data plans here.) For a while, YouTube did not charge users for their data plan, which made it completely free. However, in January 2020, YouTube raised the price for their data plan to $14.99 per month. If you’re looking to make some extra cash, you can also become a YouTube Partner, which grants you certain perks, including being able to charge users to subscribe to your channel. (You can learn more here.)
Unlike YouTube, TikTok doesn’t offer a subscription plan. When you open the app, you’ll see a feed of curated content that is algorithmically suggested for you based on your previous searches and interests. You can also follow users and creators you find interesting to get new content and tips on creating videos.
When you click on a video, it will play in the corner of your screen with a description below it. You can also add the video to your watch list to keep track of content you want to check out later. If you want to share the content with others, you can use the platform’s various tools, including its in-app camera to snap a photo and share it using a customizable story. (You can read more about the features here.)
The Pros And Cons Of TikTok And YouTube
Because of their similar functionality and user experience, it’s not entirely surprising that many people who have used TikTok prefer to stick with it compared to those who have used YouTube. Here are some of the pros and cons of using each app.
While YouTube is more established and has more features, including higher search rankings for relevant content, TikTok offers a simpler interface that is more suited for people who are new to video creation.
TikTok is a much simpler app to use than YouTube. This is largely thanks to the fact that it doesn’t have as many features as the Google-owned service. As a result, you won’t have difficulties finding answers to your questions, as the company provides useful guides and tips in its Help Center. The platform also provides users with a simpler way to navigate content than YouTube, which can be an advantage for those who are visually-impaired or have trouble using touchscreen devices.
Because of the way it is designed, however, it’s not suited for those who want to create complex videos or shoot professional-looking content. If you’re looking for a fully-featured video platform, you should consider YouTube, which also happens to be owned by one of the world’s largest companies, Google.
It’s worth noting that just because something is free doesn’t mean it is necessarily good. As we’ve established, YouTube does provide some features for free, yet the service can be very sluggish at times. If you don’t have a premium data plan or you’re on a limited one, you’ll also experience lags that make the app frustrating to use. Luckily, there are workarounds for this issue, including upgrading to a faster data plan or using a VPN to keep your connection private. (You can read more about these here.)
Which Should You Choose?
As we mentioned earlier, because of its simplicity, the app often catches the eye. It’s also one of the most popular platforms among children aged between four and 14, according to a HubSpot study. If you’re looking to make some extra cash or just want something simple and straightforward, you can opt for TikTok.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more complex experience or want to produce professional-looking content, you should definitely consider YouTube. Not only does it have higher search engine rankings than TikTok, it also offers advanced features, such as video editing and music tracks.
Whichever app you choose, creating and uploading videos is always an easy way to make some extra cash. Just make sure you understand the basics of uploading a video to the platform you choose, as this will help you become more productive and ensure your content is optimized for the best possible results.