Year on TikTok 2023: Scroll back with our community

2023 was the year we learned a new life hack (or two!), laughed out loud - and couldn't stop thinking about the Roman Empire. Our global community of over 1 billion people continues to come together to connect on TikTok, positively influencing culture and impacting lives.

From foolproof recipes to funny skits, throwback tracks and thriving small businesses, the TikTok community continued creating, connecting and celebrating authenticity on TikTok throughout 2023. In Canada, we learned how to pick the perfect watermelon, found "the keys to my beamer" and helped sell out the sweet treats from local small businesses. 

"Year on TikTok 2023 is a way for us to honour some of the standout moments that have happened on TikTok throughout the year. It's a window into stories that have inspired, entertained and educated over 1 billion people around the world. Thank you for another year of bringing joy to our community and sharing your creativity with us," said Adam Presser, Head of Operations, TikTok.

Join us as we stroll down memory lane and look back on an incredible year that saw us learning, laughing, inspiring, imagining, entertaining and exploring - as we scroll back to this year's most memorable trends, creators and moments with our community.

@tiktok Join us as we look back on 2023’s most memorable trends, creators and moments with our community: let’s scroll back to the best of this #YearOnTikTok ♬ original sound - TikTok

In 2023, trending content took over For You feeds around the world - especially in the entertainment, lifestyle & education and sports categories. We were mesmerized by Dollievision's makeup routine, that Capybara song and the brilliance of sheep dogs - so many good memories, you can almost hear it! In Canada, the past year was a wild ride of alphabet dating, spreading good vibes everywhere and of course, a whole lot of "doot doola doot doo"! Keep reading to discover the most popular videos and trends that had everyone saying, "have you seen that TikTok about...?" this year.

Canada


Around the world

  • @seanthesheepman: #FarmTok lives on with Sean the Sheep man and his dogs Kate, Storm, Echo and Monty, showing the brilliance and intelligence of sheep dogs.
  • @kirbyquimado: Discover a super easy and creative way to make a yummy snack using bread!
  • @jazephua: Groove to the infectious beat of 2023 viral Capybara Song!
  • @unknowndazza: Here's the tale of Frodrick the Frog - and his 3D printed house.
  • @gabryellurlan: Being grateful for the day while listening to birds arguing at 6:00 am.


From catchy pop tunes to comeback tracks, TikTok artists gave us the soundtrack of 2023. This year, our most popular song was "Cupid – Twin Ver – Sped Up Version" by FIFTY FIFTY. Capitalizing on the TikTok audience's affinity for sped-up songs, this version of "Cupid" was a viral sensation, kicking off a number of trends from food tutorials and outfit picks to CapCut memes, which have been hugely popular this year. The trends drove millions of streams, resulting in the first Billboard 100 entry for the K-pop girl group. Turn up the volume and check out TikTok's most popular songs of the year.

Mae Stephens (maestephens_), whose hit "If We Ever Broke Up" landed #2 on this year's list of most popular songs on TikTok globally, was able to quit her supermarket job this year to make music full-time.“I have TikTok to thank for giving me the chance to achieve my childhood's wildest aspiration! The platform is incredible for growth – growing from a few followers to get high exposure was such a quick switch - I went from working in a supermarket to living my dream! Push and work for what you want - everyone has a chance to succeed on TikTok," she said.

Canada

  • "Her Way" (Sped Up) - PARTYNEXTDOOR: While the song itself was released in 2014, PARTYNEXTDOOR re-imagined the single with the sped up version almost 10 years later, proving that simple movement paired with a tempo change is sometimes all that's needed to give new life to an older song.
  • "Eyes Closed" - Ed Sheeran: Ed Sheeran may have been dancing with his eyes closed, but with over 1.2M creates, the TikTok community was wide-eyed and alert making songs to the global hit.
  • "Collide (more sped up)" - Justine Skye: First recorded in 2014 and re-released as a sped-up single in 2023, Justine Skye's "Collide" quickly became earworm popular amongst creators on TikTok and subsequently soared to over 13M creations within a couple of months, giving whole new life to a day-one fan favourite.
  • "Cupid – Twin Ver – Sped Up Version" - FIFTY FIFTY: With over 20M creations, "Cupid - Twin Ver" by K-Pop group FIFTY FIFTY is the biggest song on TikTok in 2023. Capitalizing on the TikTok audience's affinity for sped-up songs, this version of "Cupid" was popular across the board as a backing track to food tutorials to outfit fit picks.
  • “Boy's a Liar Pt. 2” - PinkPanthress & Ice Spice: As two artists who've found success on TikTok, this was the collaboration creators quickly fell for. This hit took off on the platform, primarily thanks to people filming their dogs grooving to the track while wearing headphones.
  • "Makeba" - Jain: Breathing life into songs from the past is TikTok's specialty, but thanks primarily to a CapCut filter featuring comedian-actor Bill Hader, "Makeba" by French singer-songwriter, Jain, rose to new heights reaching platinum in Canada in June 2023.
  • "Swalla" - Jason Derulo: According to Jason Derulo, there's "love in a thousand different flavours", but the TikTok community keeps coming back and showing love to the 2017 hit "Swalla" for all their entertainment needs.
  • "Beauty And A Beat" - Justin Bieber: Though initially released in 2012 with Nicki Minaj, "Beauty and a Beat" resurfaced this summer following several choreography tutorials that went viral. Whether creators were able to learn the fast-paced and unique dance or not, everyone had fun trying.
  • "Paint The Town Red" - Doja Cat: The TikTok community has embraced "Paint The Town Red", with 2.8M creates. From dance, to makeup transitions and everything in-between, "Paint The Town Red" was an addictive showstopper at every step of the summer.
  • "What It Is (Solo Version)" - Doechii: While some may know the duet track with Kodak Black, Doechii simultaneously released a solo version of "What It Is" and circled the block to re-introduce herself on TikTok. Between both singles, the TikTok community has made 5.1M videos to the catchy track.


Around the world

  • "Cupid – Twin Ver – Sped Up Version" - FIFTY FIFTY: With over 20M creations, "Cupid - Twin Ver" by K-Pop group FIFTY FIFTY is the biggest song on TikTok in 2023. Capitalizing on the TikTok audience's affinity for sped-up songs, this version of "Cupid" was popular across the board as a backing track to food tutorials to outfit fit picks.
  • "If We Ever Broke Up" - Mae Stephens: Mae Stephens was working in a supermarket when she posted a 15-second clip of "If We Ever Broke Up" that went completely viral, earning her a record deal through EMI. The track, which has become a break-up anthem for TikTok's broken hearted, went on to be used in over 15M videos, making it the second-most popular song on TikTok in 2023.
  • "Collide (more sped up)" - Justine Skye: First recorded in 2014 and re-released as a sped-up single in 2023, Justine Skye's "Collide" quickly became earworm popular amongst creators on TikTok and subsequently soared to over 13M creations within a couple of months, giving whole new life to a day-one fan favourite.
  • "What It Is - Solo Version" - Doechii: While some may know the duet track with Kodak Black, Doechii simultaneously released a solo version of "What It Is" and circled the block to re-introduce herself on TikTok. Between both singles, the TikTok community has made 5.1M videos to the catchy track.
  • "มองนานๆ" - FLI:P: A T-Pop phenomenon breaks through and achieves one of the most popular songs globally on TikTok in 2023 with "มองนานๆ," which translates roughly to "Look For A Long Time," by FLI:P. The group, consisting of three members Winnie the Pooh, Belle, and Meiji, are known for their dance moves, the very element that made the song so popular on TikTok across the globe.
  • "La Bebe (Remix)" - Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma: TikTok was instrumental in helping Mexico's Peso Pluma become one of the biggest worldwide breakout stars of 2023, where "La Bebe (Remix)" feat Yng Lvcas earned millions of creations worldwide, becoming the most popular of the many tracks by Pluma to trend across the globe this year.
  • "LALA" - Myke Towers: Becoming one of the biggest tracks ever from Puerto Rico's Myke Towers, "LALA" cracked the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks to its popularity on the platform. The trend was heavily promoted by Towers himself, who frequently shared clips on the road throughout his big year.
  • "girls like me don't cry (sped up)" - thuy: Vietnamese-American thuy's break up anthem "girls like me don't cry" hit TikTok and became an instant success, but it was the sped up version of the track that became synonymous with everything from DIY and makeup tutorials.
  • "TQG" - KAROL G & Shakira: Featuring two of the top 10 biggest global artists on TikTok, it's no wonder that "TQG," which became an instant hit among TikTok users due to its culturally-relevant lyrics, and in turn, one of the top 10 most popular songs worldwide on TikTok in 2023.
  • "Makeba" - Jain: Breathing life into songs from the past is TikTok's special, but thanks primarily to a CapCut filter featuring comedian actor Bill Hader, "Makeba" by French singer-songwriter Jain rose to new heights in 2023, becoming a global top 10.


Every day, a star is born on TikTok. This year, we were entertained and inspired by an entire galaxy of creators, who remain the beating heart of our platform. From the iconic #TubeGirl aka Sabrina Bahsoon (@sabrinabahsoon) to a cute border collie named Pluto, as well as our very own Bella Brave, here are the breakthrough creators, celebrities and artists who made it on and beyond TikTok in 2023.

Canada


Around the world

  • @sabrinabahsoon: The iconic Tube Girl, aka Sabrina Bahsoon, has transcended the globe with her London Underground-inspired aesthetic.
  • @chefmaxmariola: Chef Max transforms each culinary creation into an entertaining show, such as his recipe for a Gricia—give it a try to witness the magic!
  • Iimeeto: Known as one of the best comedy creators in the Middle East, Mohammed Shami is famous for his hilarious and relatable family-inspired skits.
  • @mygoldenpartner: Pluto, a cute 5-year old border collie, makes everyone smile with their quick ability to pick up new tricks, overseas adventures, and exciting experiences with other furry friends.
  • @boakeadamsson: Bo Åke is a 82-year-old Swedish painter, sculptor and graphic artist, who was convinced by his son Carl to join TikTok and now inspires almost a million followers as he showcases his art everyday.


TikTok is a musical playground where artists and songwriters come together to propel tracks and trends at the speed of culture. In 2023, we had Selena Gomez (@selenagomez), BTS (@bts_official_bighit) and Kim Loaiza (@kimberly.loaiza) on repeat and repeat. These artists topped the charts, including some from our very own community, like Alexander Stewart, Tate McRae, Faouzia and many others. Here are the most popular artists whose songs took over our ears and For You feeds in 2023.

Canada

  • Lauren Spencer Smith (@laurenspencersmith): Love may be an "overstatement" to Lauren Spencer Smith, but this year, TikTok fell in love with the heartbreak connoisseur all over again.
  • Alexander Stewart (@alexanderstewart): Putting all of his emotions on the table, Alexander Stewart has a knack for letting everyone know it's okay to also put their feelings on the table too - the good, bad and ugly.
  • Dax (@thatsdax): Whether you catch him spitting 16 bars or wearing country boots, Dax effortlessly flows between worlds and has created a safe space for sobriety, faith and pride within his music.
  • Ashley Sienna (@ashleysienna): Playing to the powers of manifestation, Ashley Sienna has re-imagined her music journey to be not just one of moody alt-pop music, but one that also allows the community to have a soundtrack to manifest their own.
  • Walk Off The Earth (@walkofftheearth): From eclectic instruments to a tiny human yelling about his 'stupid heart', Walk Off the Earth continue to bring us content - and music - that's out of this world.
  • Tate McRae (@tatemcrae): Maybe we're greedy, but pop sensation Tate Mcrae continues to capture both the spicy and sweet sides of music lovers on TikTok, and everyone else in-between too.
  • Crash Adams (@crashadamsmusic): Although Crash Adams spent the better part of the year speaking to and singing for strangers in public, those strangers turned into millions of friends and fans on TikTok very quickly.
  • Connor Price (@connorprice__): While Connor Price is an independent artist, he surely isn't alone on his journey. Whether playing multiple characters in his videos or taking us on a global talent search, Connor keeps us on our toes with for his next move.
  • Tiagz (@iamtiagz): Whether you're listening to the original, sped up or slowed + reverbed version of producer Tiagz' music, one thing is for sure - it'll be full of flavour.
  • Faouzia (@faouziaofficial): Whether she's teaching TikTok how to drink mint tea like her Moroccan family or effortlessly delivering vocal runs on a whim, Faouzia has kept us in "La La La" land all year long.


Around the world

  • Kim Loaiza (@kimberly.loaiza): Mexican singer Kim Loaiza holds onto the crown for the most-viewed artist globally on TikTok for 2023, now boasting over 80 million followers on the platform.
  • Selena Gomez (@selenagomez): Pop princess and songwriter Selena Gomez is a TikTok favourite with 59.3 million followers. The artist regularly shares day-in-the-life and makeup content with the community.
  • BLACKPINK (@bp_tiktok): Leading the way as #KPop reaches 477 billion views on TikTok is BLACKPINK. With 47.1 million followers and a catalogue of viral sounds, BLACKPINK has built a community of die-hard fans on platform.
  • BTS (@bts_official_bighit): An incredible year for K-Pop superstars BTS who became the first artists to use TikTok's 'New Release' feature as their BTS anniversary challenge reached 400 million views in a week.
  • Feid (@ferxxo444): The community has been in their 'Feid era' in 2023. From scoring his first entry on Billboard Hot 100 Chart earlier this year, Feid has climbed to #5 artist globally on TikTok with 13.1 million followers.
  • ENHYPEN (@enhypen): Fast-rising K-Pop group ENHYPEN debut on the Global Hitmakers list at #6 having wowed audiences on and off platform, including an iconic recent performance on Good Morning America.
  • KAROL G (@karolg): Latin Grammy award winning Columbian star Karol G is loved by the TikTok community with 'Qlona', her collaboration with Peso Pluma featuring in 1 million TikTok videos.
  • LE SSERAFIM (@le_sserafim): Another debut entry for a K-Pop group, LE SSERAFIM has been making waves on platform, with 8.3 million followers and trending songs 'Perfect Night' and 'ANTIFRAGILE' proving popular with the community.
  • NewJeans (@newjeans_official): Known for their captivating dance skills, NewJeans have caught fire on TikTok this year, with over 10 million followers leading them to become the fastest K-pop act ever to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.
  • Shakira (@shakira): Queen of Latin music, Shakira took over playlists this year with her hit single ‘BZRP Music Sessions, Vol 53’ which racked up over 4.4 million video creations in app, with appearances from her and her dance team.


TikTok is a place where you can start small, but think - and achieve - big. No one knows this better than our small business owners who truly felt the positive impact of our community in 2023. Thanks to trending hashtags like #SMB and #SmallBusiness, we discovered a dad's t-shirt designs from the 80s and 90s and free lawn mower service to Sydney locals by the one and only Tim Parker. Closer to home, we have local businesses supporting the LGBTQIA2S+ community and others creating the perfect pottery for your home. Here are some of the most beloved small businesses that inspired us in 2023.

Canada


Around the world

  • @pluck_and_plant: Pluck and Plant, a bistro in Ikejiri-Ohashi that was losing ¥1 million every month, quadrupled its sales in just three months after using TikTok. The company won an award in the gourmet food category at the TikTok Trend Awards 2023.
  • @lazy_butt_club: San Diego-based Lazy Butt Club is run by father-son duo Michael and Daniel Jay. With the help of TikTok Shop and a few viral videos, the father and son team grew their business and sold thousands of their t-shirts featuring their iconic lounging, lazy characters.
  • @newmartina: Carmen Fiorito aka New Martina is known as the cell phone cover queen, who has turned her everyday job focused on mobile phone decorations into a thriving business.
  • @timthelawnmowerman: The grass is always greener... if Tim pays a visit. This generous firefighter provides free 'Random Acts of Mowing' to those who need a helping hand within the Aussie community.
  • @isma_rugs: Ismael is an artist from Oaxaca, creator of amazing handmade rugs.


With so much educational content, we learn while we scroll on TikTok! In 2023, #BookTok taught us that reading is cool again and #CleanTok showed us the most helpful household hacks and. In Canada, our learning experiences were as diverse as selecting the perfect watermelon to honing the art of enhancing our corporate resumes. Discover the most popular trends, tricks and how-to's that made our lives even better in 2023.

Canada


Around the world

  • @mrbeandamatematica: Rafael Bastos aka Mr Bean da Matemática shows us a trick to make division much easier!
  • @james.bok: Canadian creator James Bok captured global attention with a revelation that resonated with practically everyone: the art of selecting the perfect watermelon, a foolproof hack to fruit selection.
  • @rijksmuseum: In a video created by the Dutch national museum in Amsterdam, The Milkmaid, a 17th-century painting by Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer, is brought to life and explained from an artist's perspective.
  • @patriciafedz: Patricia Fernández is a Spanish creator whose pop culture, history and literature mashup videos provide an endless source of entertainment for her fans.
  • @jack.designs: Jack Callaghan shares handy #CleanTok hacks along with other cleaning and household wellbeing tips.


This year, the TikTok community continued to bring their creativity to life and push the boundaries of self-expression through a diverse array of community effects, sounds, filters and more, with over 25 billion videos created using community effects to date. This year, we all loved sharing our versions of Girl Dinner, acting like we were in a Wes Anderson film and raising our red, green and beige flags. Here are the most popular trends made possible by unique features - and our creativity - in 2023.


Canada

  • Green Flags (16.2k views): This filter created by Laura Gouillon helped creators identify the best aspects of their and their loved ones' personalities - the signals one can't ignore.
  • Visual Effects (93.2M views): Are these super-strong visual effects or magic? Who can say?
  • I Am That Girl: (13.9M views): You steal it, you wear it.
  • Girl Dinner (609.1K views): Girl dinners from around the world.
  • #WesAnderson (2M): From the composition, to the colour grading, music and editing, Wes Anderson's iconic movies inspired creators' inner Hollywood auteur.
  • Someone Cooked Here (48.7K): So... who taught you this?
  • I Feel Bonita (3.7M): Sometimes we all just need to feel bonita.
  • The Sim Simma Challenge (25M views): Inspired by a decades-old dancehall hit, this global phenomenon was embraced by creators around the world, including The Kardashians, Ciara, and in this case, The Toronto Argos, a Canadian football team.
  • GRWM (67K): Get ready with me, powwow edition.
  • Altered My Brain Chemistry (192.4K): Are these places even real?


Around the world

  • Red, green and beige flags (8.5B views): This trio of filters created by Laura Gouillon helped creators identify the best, worst, and slightly annoying aspects of their and their loved ones' personalities - the signals one can't ignore.
  • #WesAnderson (2.7B views): From the composition to the colour grading, music and editing, Wes Anderson's iconic movies inspired creators' inner Hollywood auteur.
  • Aged filter (800M views): This filter allowed creators to turn the clock forward, giving them a hilarious and heartwarming glimpse at what they could look like in a few decades' time.
  • AI Style (615M views): The AI style filter inspired creators to cartoonify themselves, adding a creative twist to their videos.
  • The Sim Simma Challenge (25M views): Inspired by a decades-old dancehall hit, this global phenomenon was embraced by creators around the world, including The Kardashians, Ciara, and in this case, The Toronto Argos, a Canadian football team.


It's no secret that TikTok is the go-to place for food inspo, with #FoodTok having over 69B views. From making shrimp bread to plant-based meals to making the famous 'polpettes', these creators have captured the hearts and taste buds of TikTok users worldwide with their delightful cooking content and all their journeys are a captivating narrative that highlights the power of TikTok. Keep reading to discover some must-see & make recipes before the year wraps.


Celebrate Year on TikTok 2023 with us

As we wrap up yet another memorable year on TikTok, get ready to celebrate with us in Canada.

Let's scroll it back on TikTok! Learn more about this year's most unforgettable trends, creators and moments via our in-app hub or search #YearOnTikTok on the app.


Year on TikTok 2023 is based on internal research and trends analysis conducted from January to October 2023.

Join our TikTok global community by simply downloading the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.