TikTok: Double Album Taylor Swift's music back on the platform

Two months after the removal of Taylor Swift's songs, Tiktok once again allows them to be used without constraint. She is the only Universal Music Group artist to be entitled to it.

An astonishing privilege. According to our observations, as well as those of many fans, Taylor Swift's music has made a comeback on Tiktok. Two months ago, however, Universal Music Group (UMG) decided to remove its catalog from the platform, accusing it of not paying "the fair value of the music."

Taylor Swift, the only returning UMG artist

Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, but also Taylor Swift, many titles were no longer usable in users' videos. Some had nevertheless found a solution by speeding up or slowing down the music, or quite simply by offering "covers", fan versions, but also by using titles in a "live" version taken during concerts.

However, only Taylor Swift seems concerned, at this stage, by this return, which is not surprising given the fact that a new album must be released in less than ten days.

The billionaire singer, who is due to perform in Paris and Lyon as part of the Eras Tour in May and June, will offer a new album, called The Tortured Poets Department. We know Taylor Swift is very close to her fans, playing with them on social networks. It was on Tiktok that she unveiled a new version of Wildest Dreams at the request of her fans so that they could use it in their videos.

In 2015, Taylor Swift had already shown the power she had in the music sector by withdrawing her albums from streaming platforms, Apple Music or Spotify, tired of seeing them not paying artists during the trial periods offered. to users. The latter had finally accepted the establishment of remuneration, and his music had made a comeback.

Is the TikTok algorithm sending you messages from the universe? (II)

“If you came across this video, it was meant for you”

In the part of TikTok reserved for New Age followers, this idea that the algorithm is a spiritual force that delivers messages to users at the right times has become a kind of evidence. Many influencers start their video by stating: “If you came across this video, it was meant for you. Stop scrolling and listen to what I have to say.” For followers of the laws of attraction, this ideology according to which the universe bends to our thoughts, then there is a certain logic: the TikTok algorithm reflecting our personality could respond to our desires or our questions. More prosaically, the application would have a whole bunch of tools to aim correctly and give you the right information at the right time.

The algorithm that loved me...

The thing is known: all beginner users start with the same experience on TikTok. The first videos that appear come from accounts with a lot of subscribers and always presenting similar content. You have to watch videos of young women waddling or pranks filmed in time-lapse for TikTok to start offering more specific content. It is in particular the watch time (the fact of watching the video to the end) and our engagement (the fact of liking, sharing or commenting on the video) which will give clues to the algorithm. It will be able to determine what makes us stay or leave a video. If you are a long-time user, it is easy to spot the moments when the platform offers you a new type of content that you might like.

The rest also comes down to suggestions and interpretation. As in the divinatory arts, everyone can interpret chance and other coincidences as messages from the universe.

...the app that sucks up my data

It remains to be agreed that TikTok is an application literally listening to you. Since 2020, we have known that the platform can activate the microphone of smartphones even when you are not scrolling videos. iPhone users are protected, but those on Android are therefore likely to be recorded without their knowledge. And that's not all. TikTok also uses so-called third-party trackers that tell the company about your online activity outside of its app. 

According to a report from the URL Genius site, 13 trackers out of the 14 on TikTok record your Google searches, your location, etc. When we understand to what extent each user is spied on by the application, then the magic tends to disappear slightly.

Black swan, the new internet trend after the Baltimore bridge collapse

Extreme-right commentators are claiming Tuesday's dramatic collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge is a "black swan" event, a niche phrase that has recently captured the imagination of internet conspiracy theorists.

What conspiracy theories are circulating on social media

"The ship was the target of a cyber attack. They turn off the lights and head deliberately towards the bridge supports. US foreign agents attack digital infrastructures. Nothing is certain,” wrote Andrew Tate on X, about six hours after the container ship collided with the bridge. "The Black Swan Event is imminent."

"This is a BLACK SWAN event," General Mike Flynn, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, also wrote on X. Others, including Benny Johnson, Laura Loomer, and some verified QAnon-affiliated accounts, can be found on a search quickly with the "black swan event", with many claiming that the bridge collapse was an act of terrorism.

"It looks deliberate to me. It's probably a cyber attack. World War III has already begun,” Alex Jones of Infowars wrote on X in response to Andrew Tate's post.

Is the TikTok algorithm sending you messages from the universe? (I)

More and more users believe that the TikTok algorithm possesses a form of divinatory magic comparable to the tarot deck.

“It’s a crazy story,” says François*, 33 years old. While someone close to me underwent an operation requiring them to wear a very specific medical device for a while, my TikTok feed offered me videos of influencers who were going through the same thing and who were giving popular speeches on this ultra-specific subject. However, I have never done any research on this on the platform and I had never seen any videos on this subject before the operation. I came to wonder if the algorithm was sending me messages. »

“Doctor TikTok sees into the future and brings back your loved one”

Halfway between wonder and paranoia, it is very possible that you have already read or heard this type of testimony. In the same way that we constantly have the impression that Instagram is listening to us, TikTok leaves all its users with a strange impression; that the platform knows us better than ourselves and that its algorithm sends us content which resonates very strongly with our private lives, to the point that it would play a role of divination.

In the media, many articles echo these funny coincidences, similar to Jungian synchronicities. In June 2021, GQ journalist Louis Hanson already found it strange the fact that the platform suggested videos to him on microbehaviors that he thought he was the only one to have, such as, for example, pretending to be surprised when a waiter brings him a dish at a restaurant.

(to be continued)

Viral TikTok trends revolutionizing the beauty industry

In recent years, TikTok has become a dominant player in the world of social media, with over 1 billion active users worldwide.

The platform has become a go-to destination for beauty enthusiasts, with makeup artists, skincare experts and beauty influencers using it to showcase their skills and share their knowledge.

With the rise of viral trends on TikTok, the beauty industry has been significantly impacted, and many brands have taken notice. .

How TikTok is affecting the beauty industry

With nearly half of all social media users expected to make a purchase on a social platform this year, TikTok has become a game changer for the beauty industry.

Consumers aged 18-44 are most likely to make a purchase on social media, with beauty products ranking second after clothing. TikTok and Instagram are the most popular apps for beauty brands and consumers, with almost 60% of users making a beauty purchase after seeing a product on social media.

Beauty, cosmetics and personal care influencers have the largest number of followers on social media, and brands can leverage their reach, but they need to be thoughtful to do so.

Adopt TikTok

TikTok has proven to be a game changer in the beauty industry, with many viral trends revolutionizing the way people approach skincare and makeup. From grunge makeup to skin cycling, the platform has given birth to a multitude of new beauty trends that have caught the attention of millions of people.

The power of TikTok as a marketing tool for beauty brands cannot be ignored, and many businesses are now leveraging the platform to connect with younger, more diverse audiences. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how the platform continues to shape the beauty industry and what new trends emerge.

The Dangerous TokTok: Trends that still continue to seduce (II)

Spray Anti-Perspirant On Your Face
Tip of the day: it is better to avoid reproducing them.

Having oily skin is not easy to live with. No matter how hard you try, this skin type continues to shine and it can be somewhat... Annoying. If there is one period dreaded by all those with oily skin, it is, without a shadow of a doubt, summer. With the heat we tend to sweat on our faces and shine like a real disco ball.

To combat this phenomenon, beauty addicts have found a solution: apply an antiperspirant to your face. A rather unusual idea, isn't it? Many people seem to have adopted this method, which is bad for the skin. An antiperspirant to be applied to the armpits is not suitable for facial skin. By doing this you risk blocking your pores and preventing your epidermis from regulating its temperature by sweating, which, remember, is a completely natural phenomenon.

Booktok, the big TikTok trend that pushes teenagers to read
Tip of the day: it is better to avoid reproducing them.

What is Booktok on TikTok?

The code name for this trend? BookTok, and the principle is very simple: it's a kind of digital reading club where TikTokers share their opinions on their latest favorite reads or their favorite authors. This trend, born from the craze of book devourers, is gaining more and more followers.

Why is this problematic?

Even beyond the fact that certain scenes are not designed to be read by teenagers, it is sometimes necessary to have a certain perspective on sexuality so as not to be offended by certain passages. Some books play on rape culture, on imposed violence, on Stockholm syndrome... In the genre, we find the series "A touch of Darkness" which is a revisited version of the myth of Hades and Persephone. If the first pages allow us to review the notable characters of Greek mythology, the rest of the book is only a series of particularly explicit sensual scenes which are obviously not suitable for all audiences.

While it is obviously wonderful to see teenagers devouring books by the dozen, there is obviously another side to the coin. Some slightly spicy books (on Wattpad we call them Lemon, on TikTok we call them Dark Romance), are not recommended for all ages or all profiles. If reading is a wonderful way to escape, it is obvious that a parent would never put a book by the Marquis de Sade in the hands of their teenager in the midst of an existential crisis. However, some books recommended on BookTok include scenes just as daring as The Hundred and Twenty Days of Sodom and parents don't even suspect it.

The Dangerous TokTok: Trends that still continue to seduce (I)

Here are 4 trends unearthed on TikTok that continue to seduce even though they are bad for you 

Tiktok is by far the place of inspiration for all beauty addicts. Every week, new trends emerge on the social network so coveted by the most trendy girls. To name just a few: the 'glazed skin' - launched by Hailey Bieber -, the 'broccoli freckles' trend or even the 'botticelli brunette' - a gourmet coloring. If the latter are unanimous among beauty fans, 'tips' are also popular on TikTok. It's impossible that you haven't come across 'unicorn heatless curls' - a tip for creating curls without heat - or the '2.4.2' method - which allows you to obtain a perfect complexion.

Many trends go viral as quickly as they are paraded, however, not all of them are to be reproduced. Some even turn out to be dangerous for our health. Focus on 3 beauty trends that it is best to avoid replicating.

Drinking Water With Clorophyll: A Worrying Trend To Say Least
Tip of the day: it is better to avoid reproducing them.

Beauty addicts whose holy grail is to obtain beautiful skin, whatever the method, have fallen under the spell of a strange trend. Many personalities are aficionados of chlorophyll water. Some even, who position themselves on the social network as being professionals, would have contributed to the craze surrounding this drink. His promise? Free our skin from imperfections, especially acne.

The hashtag #chlorophyllwater has over 270 million views on TikTok. If beauty sphere seems to have set its sights on this drink, scientists explain that there is no proof that this method is effective. What are the risks ? A disruption of the digestive system and the occurrence of stomach aches. You might as well avoid taking such a risk, especially when you can apply a cream enriched with niacinamide, salicylic acid or even azelaic acid - whose effectiveness on acne is proven -, right?

Do You Know The Trend That Promisses Facets?
Tip of the day: it is better to avoid reproducing them.

Perhaps you've already noticed it, but in recent months, one trend in particular seems to have beauty fans hooked: it's the 'dimple makers'. We will all agree that dimples are a very charming element of beauty. Not everyone is lucky enough to have it naturally and many girls would like to have it. To remedy this, there is only one solution: use a device in the form of pliers to be inserted inside the mouth in order to mark the skin to reveal dimples.

The hashtag #dimplemakers has more than 100 million views on TikTok. Guess what ? This (non-medical) device represents a health hazard. First, it has never been studied by scientists, so it has never been the result of studies. No data exists to show the effectiveness of this product. Also, applying this device to pinch your cheek can lead to a real risk of skin necrosis and scarring.

Using this tool daily, which compresses the skin, could even lead, in the long term, to recurring pain by damaging the tissues and mucous membrane. As you will have understood, its use clearly does not seem like a very good idea.

(to be continued)

TikTok loses Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo songs in licensing battle

 Over the past five years, TikTok has become the music industry's most influential marketing tool, launching the careers of up-and-coming artists, turning viral songs into smash hits, and propelling older catalog tracks to the top Billboard charts. TikTok has been the launching pad for many singles, including Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" and Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage," among others. This is undeniably a useful means for promotion, but UMG (Universal Music Group) seems to be betting that the current revocation of the license will force TikTok back to the negotiating table.

Universal Music Group has not renewed its licensing deal with TikTok, amid a battle over artist pay, security and the use of AI.

UMG had threatened to stop licensing its music to TikTok following a breakdown in negotiations. It's now a done deal: songs by UMG artists began to disappear from the platform at the end of the day on Wednesday.

The deletions began gradually on Wednesday evening. Official versions of UMG-owned recordings, such as Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer," Olivia Rodrigo's "Get Him Back," and Lana Del Rey's "Let the Light In," no longer appeared in search results . Additionally, videos featuring UMG songs (such as a Kylie Jenner post to Del Rey's "Cherry" and a Dwayne Johnson video to Rick Ross' "Hustlin'") have had their audio muted. Videos now have a message at the bottom indicating that audio has been removed due to copyright restrictions.

Just after midnight, some of Swift's videos received the same treatment. Several Justin Bieber videos on his page, including a performance of him singing "Yummy," are now silent.

Learn About 2024 TikTok Trends (I)

TikTok, the social network at the heart of trends, has just revealed in its annual report the trends that will emerge in 2024 and that you absolutely must follow!

TikTok is today considered the first social network to ride trends, but not only that: very often it is the one that creates them! Whether for music, entertainment in general, cinema, art and many others.

So when we wonder what content will appeal in 2024, we can trust TikTok to identify them!

In its report entitled “What’s Next 2024 Trend Report”, the social network highlights the trends that will be popular on the platform during the year 2024. 

Here are the 3 main trends to remember:

CURIOSITY

First, according to the app's researchers, users come to the app to search for a good answer and satisfy their curiosity. According to them: “Every curiosity and every interest reaches its peak on TikTok”. Users are 1.8 times more likely to admit that TikTok introduces them to topics they are unfamiliar with but enjoy. Curiosity is what brings the platform to life. The algorithm presents new content to users every day because it knows them so well that it knows they will like it. And very often, the algorithm is not wrong

(to be continued)

January 2024 TikTok Trends (III)

The truth is, TikTok trends come and go really quickly, so they’ll often be outdated by the time they hit the Trends page in the app, so it’s a good idea to always keep an eye out for emerging trends.

 (Added January 20, 2024) “How Hard Can It Be, Boys Do It” Trend | Example: Posting a video lip syncing to this sound with a text overlay describing a situation where you felt bold/brave enough to go for something because you realized it’s not actually that difficult (usually something in a male-dominated industry).

(Added January 22, 2024) Fake Laughing Trend | Example: Posting a video with the CapCut template from the example (and this sound), along with a text overlay describing a situation where you would exaggeratedly laugh at something you don’t actually find funny.

(Added January 23, 2024) Annoying Laugh Trend | Example: Posting a video to this sound with a text overlay describing someone/a group of people who would have this kind of laugh, and how you’d react to it.

(Added January 26, 2024) “If You Think You’re Getting Away, I Can Prove You Wrong” Dancing Guy Trend | Example: Posting a video with the CapCut template from the example (and this song) with a text overlay describing a funny situation where you would be dancing joyously and vibing hard.

(Added January 29, 2024) “Rare Birthday” Trend | Example: Posting a two photo carousel post with the first slide being you and a text overlay talking about the rare birthday trend e.g. “Oh you think your birthday is rare?” with the next slide showing your birthday and also how many hashtags are under your birthday (e.g. #january29birthday), with the lower the number being ‘rarer’ and better.

January 2024 TikTok Trends (II)

 The truth is, TikTok trends come and go really quickly, so they’ll often be outdated by the time they hit the Trends page in the app, so it’s a good idea to always keep an eye out for emerging trends.

(Added January 10, 2024) “Can’t Bring Me Down I’m on a High Right Now” Trend | Example: Posting a funny video using the CapCut template and audio from the example, with a text overlay describing a situation where you would be dismissing haters because you’re on a high/feeling on top of the world.

(Added January 12, 2024) “Come Here, Look at Me, Hey” Trend | Example: Posting a video to this sound using the CapCut example from the template, with a funny text overlay describing a situation where someone would tell you to stop/cut it out.

(Added January 14, 2024) Slow Mo Ariana Grande Meme Trend | Example: Posting a video using the CapCut template from the example, with a funny text overlay describing a scenario when someone would smugly strut into a situation. Usually accompanied with this sound.

(Added January 15, 2024) Confused Ryan Gosling Trend | Example: Posting a video using Ryan Gosling’s reaction to winning best original song for “I’m Just Ken” in a relatable meme relavant to your niche.

(Added January 18, 2024) Perspective Trend | Example: Posting a two photo carousel to this song that shows the power of perspective, with two slides showing the same photo and text, but using different colours/punctuation/emojis to show what a big difference a change in perspective can make.

(to be continued)

January 2024 TikTok Trends (I)

The truth is, TikTok trends come and go really quickly, so they’ll often be outdated by the time they hit the Trends page in the app, so it’s a good idea to always keep an eye out for emerging trends.

(Added January 1, 2024) “12 Grapes New Year” Trend | Example: Posting a video about eating 12 grapes under a table at midnight on New Years for good luck.

(Added January 3, 2024) “Look at Me / Me With A…” Trend | Example: Posting a photo carousel with two slides to this sound – the first with a text overlay saying “Me Without a _____” and then the  second with a text overlay saying “Me With a _____”, usually showing you with a significant other and something that they have.

(Added January 4, 2024) “Oh F*ck That” Trend | Example: Posting a video lip syncing to this sound with a text overlay describing a funny and relatable situation where you would suddenly and abruptly be like “oh f*ck that!”

(Added January 6, 2024) “Priceless Pancake” Trend | Example: There are a few variations of this trend – one is posting a photo carousel that shows how AI would depict the progression of items (e.g. pancakes) ranging from $1, $100, $1000, $1 million, $1 billion and finally “priceless” (usually showing something family related or sentimental). Another variation of this trend is using this audio and reacting to the concept of the priceless pancake.

(Added January 8, 2024) “I Can’t Love You in the Dark” Trend | Example: Posting a video using the 

CapCut template from the example with a text overlay/background depicting a situation where you feel (jokingly) let down by someone you love. Usually accompanied with this sound.

(to be continued)

Latest Beauty Trend: What Is This “Mafia Boss’s Wife Aesthetics”

 Mob Wife aesthetic opposes the clean girl's, turns away from micro-trends based on food and ects everything related to minimalism... Latest “trend” brought to the forefront by social 

networks , the look of the “mob wife” electrifies the beauty world.

Sharon Stone in Casino, Connie Corleone in The Godfather, Drea de Matteo in the role of Adriana La 
Cerva in The Sopranos, Michelle Pfeiffer aka Elvira Hancock, Tony Montana's wife in Scarface or 
even the women of The Real Housewives of New Jersey... Gone is the clean girl aesthetic that 
reigned supreme on TikTok, suddenly they all want to dress like a mafia boss' wife.

If the trend - inspired by gangster wives in cinema - translates into leopard patterns, leather, 
fur and of course a colossal extortion of jewelry, the “mob wife aesthetic” is also infiltrating 
the world of the beauty. Overnight, everyone went from sleek buns to tousled hair and exaggerated 
curls, but also to ultra-dramatic make-ups done with smoky eyes, eyeliner, red lipstick and French 
manicure.