Marketing on Instagram vs. TikTok: Which Is Better?
There’s a reason why there are nearly one million marketing specialists found in the United States. These days, it’s not enough to know about marketing in general, you need to specialize in a specific area.
Nowhere is this more apparent than with social media marketing on apps like Instagram and TikTok.
If you’re considering marketing on these platforms, you’re likely wondering which one is better in the Instagram vs TikTok battle.
That’s why we made this guide. In it, we’ll help you decide which platform you should focus your marketing efforts on. Let’s get started!
Ask Yourself Who You’re Targeting
The first thing you should do is define your target audience. Why? Because while people of all shapes and ages use social media-specific demographics tend to flock to certain platforms.
This study by Pew Research does a good job of showing how some of these demographics breakdown. For example, 48% of eighteen to twenty-nine-year-olds say they regularly use TikTok.
So, if you’re trying to target a younger segment of the population, TikTok is a great option. Similarly, 48% of thirty to forty-nine-year-olds say they use Instagram.
If you’re trying to target new parents or homebuyers, then that app would be appropriate. Remember that both Instagram and TikTok have a variety of people that use them.
But, if you have a specific segment that you want to target it might be worth it to focus on one or the other.
Follow Influencers You Want to Work With
In some cases, you might have an influencer that you want to work with on marketing. This type of paid social media marketing is great because it comes from someone that your audience trusts.
Odds are that the influencer likely uses some or all major social media apps. However, odds are that they have one that they prefer over the others.
So, if you want to work with a TikTok star, then contact them on that app. Or, if the influencer is more active on Instagram, then engage with them there.
Instagram Has a Place for Video and Static Content
Instagram marketing is great because it allows you to use both video ads and static content. So, there’s no more choosing between simple picture ads and video ones.
What’s more, you get a lot of options in terms of where to show them, whether it’s on stories, the main feed, or through influencers. And, that’s not even including the diverse range of targeting e-commerce tools that Instagram supports.
This makes it easy to create a sales funnel from the app that can produce some real results. Make sure to check out our guide if you want to learn more about how to craft a winning Instagram marketing strategy.
TikTok Is Just for Video Ads
While Instagram allows static and video ads, TikTok advertising is limited to videos. For some businesses, this might be a deal-breaker. However, it’s important to remember that these video ads can be especially effective on the site.
This is one of the main benefits of advertising through the platform. Many people view TikTok as a relaxing, fun place to turn their brains off for a while.
The positive associations they feel for the app can often bleed over into your ads, especially if you keep them short, sweet, and fun. So, while there aren’t as many options, the video ads on the app can be especially successful.
TikTok Gives You a Better Chance of Going Viral
These days, it’s a lot harder for certain content to go viral on sites like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. But, the same isn’t true for TikTok. It seems like every day something new goes viral on the app.
That means that you have a better chance of creating targeted content that goes viral on TikTok. Just remember that this isn’t a sure thing. Crafting viral content requires the perfect storm of authentic, platform content and luck.
However, if the stars align you can achieve one of the most sought-after forms of social media marketing: viral marketing. This type of marketing can propel your company to new heights.
Instagram Provides Better Engagement
TikTok indeed, offers you the ability to like, comment, and message on people’s posts. But, Instagram goes a step further by providing you with Story reels. This is a great tool for marketing.
Not only does it allow your audience to message you about your reels, but there are great engagement features. Things like polls, surveys, and question/answer features can all be included in your Instagram story.
This allows for a level of interactivity that just isn’t present with TikTok.
Which App Is Better for Your Needs?
As we mentioned, the best app for you depends on the audience you’re trying to target and your ad preference. At the end of the day, Instagram does tend to be a jack of all trades when it comes to social media marketing.
It has a diverse user base and a great collection of ad tools for almost every marketing strategy. But, remember that a jack of all trades is a master of none.
And apps like TikTok are the perfect option for people trying to reach a younger audience.
That being said, it’s best to focus on multiple social media apps if you can. So, if it’s feasible, then include both Instagram and TikTok in your strategy.
Can’t Decide on Instagram vs TikTok? Contact Media Shark
We hope this article helped you learn more about marketing on Instagram vs TikTok. As you can see, there isn’t a clear winner to this question. Instead, it depends on your specific social media marketing needs.
The important thing is to find a company like Media Shark that can work with you to decide on the best approach to the problem.
We don’t just stop at social media marketing. We also offer full programmatic and SEO services. So, contact us today to find out what we can do for your business.
