TikTok
2023 was the year we learned a new life hack (or two!), laughed out loud - and coudn'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 inspiring on TikTok throughout 2023. In the UK, we danced on the Tube, Wes Andersonified our lives, and got stuck into #BookTok. None of this would have been possible without the TikTok community - the farmers, fashionistas, small businesses, and break out stars who all make up the platform in the UK.
"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
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 Chef Max Mariola who transforms each culinary creation into an entertaining show, here are the breakthrough creators, celebrities and artists who made it on and beyond TikTok in 2023.
@sabrinabahsoon (779.4k followers/27.4M likes)
@henryrowleyy (1.3M followers/68.5M likes)
@thatswatson (6.8M followers/102M likes)
@edenvictorria (700.9k followers/19.7M likes)
@maddiegracejepson (1.6M followers/119.8M likes)
@fatstimbo (2.9M followers/51.1M likes)
@meetthethorpes (819.9k followers/35.2M likes)
@2girls1bottl3 (804.5k followers/15.5M likes)
@madebymitchell (695.7k followers/17.5M likes)
@brookieandjessie (3.7M followers/164.2M likes)
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 the UK, this year was all about wholesome content, with animals, ASMR, heartwarming stories and quirky communities topping the list of the most viewed videos on TikTok in 2023. Keep on reading to discover the most popular videos and trends that had everyone saying, 'have you seen that TikTok about...?' this year.
Staple creations (545.5M views / 32.4M likes)
Farrier (193M views / 8.8M likes)
Sartorial pooch (172.5M views / 11.1M likes)
Nutella pancakes (167M views / 10.9M likes)
Guinea pigs (143M views / 14.8M likes)
Pool Guy (138M views / 7.3M likes)
Guinness World Records (119M views / 7.6M likes)
Gordon Ramsay steak sandwich (112.8M views /9.2M likes)
Sheep Dog (110.9M views / 12.3M likes)
Grandparents reunite (110.7M views / 15.2M likes
Our most popular song in the UK by video creations is Sprinter by Dave and Central Cee, which immediately gripped TikTok creators and brought UK Rap to the global stage.
Both Dave and Central Cee heavily engaged with the song on TikTok, with Central Cee using the song to soundtrack a video with his girlfriend, which racked up 21.1 million views. Dave also shared a lip sync video with his fans, which attracted 3.2 million views. When Sprinter was announced as our Song of the Summer, Central Cee said“The TikTok community’s reaction to ‘Sprinter’ has been amazing and unexpected. I love it when the community starts their own trends and you can see it taking off.”
Female artists also dominate the list, including Justine Skye, MEYY, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice, Kenya Grace, Doja Cat and RAYE. RAYE's Escapism with 070 Shake found huge success on TikTok and topped the UK Singles Chart, powered by the popularity of multiple sped up remixes.
Sprinter - Dave & Central Cee (655.3k videos)
Collide (more sped up) - Justine Skye & Tyga (3.3M videos)
Cupid - Twin Ver. - Sped Up Version - FIFTY FIFTY (6.2M videos)
Green Green Grass (Sped-Up) - George Ezra (1.5M videos)
Makeba - Jain (1.7M videos)
Pretty (Sped Up) - MEYY (1.9M videos)
Boy's a Liar Pt. 2 - PinkPantheress & Ice Spice (1.8M videos)
Strangers - Kenya Grace (1.1M videos)
Paint The Town Red - Doja Cat (2.8M videos)
Escapism. - Super Sped Up - RAYE & 070 Shake (639.9k videos)
Not confined by genre or gatekeepers, TikTok continues to provide a platform for new and emerging artists to reach a global audience and find success. Our Breakthrough Artist category celebrates those artists that have transcended into public consciousness. Whether it's charting success, major award wins or sold out tours, these artists have achieved incredible success which are celebrated by the TikTok community.
Mae Stephens (379k followers/8.8M likes )
CHINCHILLA (463k followers/7.7M likes)
Jazzy (192k followers/4.3M likes)
Kenya Grace (703k followers/13.7M likes)
Caity Baser (573k followers/17.9M likes)
Cian Ducrot (4.6M followers/112.5M likes)
Lola Young (519k followers/8.2M likes)
AntsLive (63k followers/1.8M likes)
Prinz (1.7M followers/26.9M likes)
Anna Lapwood (647k followers/19.9M likes)
Lewis Capaldi takes the crown for most-viewed artist in the UK, receiving a groundswell of support from the TikTok community on his chart-topping singles Pointless and Wish You The Best as well as this summer's emotional and inspiring Glastonbury performance. Since joining the platform, Lewis described himself as "King of TikTok", amassing 8.4 million followers, so we’re proud to make it official in 2023.
Sam Smith places second, having wowed the community with some incredible collabs with Charli XCX and Calvin Harris, making 2023 another massive year for the Unholy singer. Meanwhile, third place goes to Central Cee, whose runaway hit Sprinter, featuring fellow Brit award winner Dave, dominated the charts for 10 weeks, shattering records for UK rap.
This year has also seen a host of newcomers to our Hitmaker list. From rock and roll icons The Rolling Stones, who joined TikTok along with Mick Jagger at the beginning of the year, to emerging stars like Prinz, who broke into the mainstream backed by the TikTok community.
@lewiscapaldi (8.4M followers/181.9M likes)
@samsmith (8.8M followers/127M likes)
@centralcee (9.4M followers/89M likes)
@annemarie (7.9M followers/107.9M likes)
@edsheeran (14.5M followers/161.3M likes)
@prinzmusic_(1.7M followers/26.9M likes)
@ksi (11.8M followers/88.5M likes)
@therollingstones (551k followers/6.3M likes)
@pinkpantheress (2.7M followers/27.4M likes)
@calvinharris (1.4M followers/21.4M likes)
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 or #TikTokShop, 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. We were also inspired by the artistry of Isma Rugs. Here are some of the most beloved small businesses that inspired us in 2023.
@levitex (675.8k followers/19.9M likes)
@hairanatomyuk (37.2k followers/277.3k likes)
@lovendu (99.6k followers/1.2M likes)
@ridiculouslyrichbyalana (118.2k followers/2.4M likes)
@trigwellcosmetics (101.2k followers/1.9M likes)
@rhodes_wood (418.6k followers/2.4M likes)
@gloveglu (844.2k followers/18.1M likes)
@sosweetshopuk (924.7k followers/14.3M likes)
@evamalleyart (119.1k followers/1.7M likes)
@salt_shack_geology (46.8k followers/440.7k likes)
With so much educational content, we learn while we scroll on TikTok!
In 2023, #BookTok taught us that reading is cool again, #ArtTok helped us to brush up our art knowledge, whilst creators such as Mr Bean da Matemática taught us helpful maths hacks. Whether you want to cut down on food waste, or learn the basics of British Sign Language, there's a solution to be found on TikTok! Discover the most popular trends, tricks and how-to's that made our lives even better in 2023.
@history_with_amy (840k followers/28.2M likes)
@annrussell03 (2.5M followers/66.8M likes)
@ hipster_sunshine (170k followers/5.4M likes)
@bcemercer (200k followers/1.4M likes)
@thelegalqueen (550k followers/4.1M likes)
@big.manny1 (1.7M followers/27.6M likes)
@nataleebfitness (1.8M followers/57.4M likes)
@andreacheong_ (240k followers/4.3M likes)
@spicymoustache (2.5M followers/32.3M likes)
@jack.designs (860k followers/22.1M likes)
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.
Roman Empire (2.4B views)
Delulu (4.4B views)
Yearbook photobooth (2.6B views)
Wes Anderson (2.6B views)
Bombastic Side Eye (2.3B views)
Beige flag, red flag, green flag (8.52B views)
Aged filter (24.6M creations)
Girl Dinner / Boy Dinner (2.67B views)
Girl Summer (4B views)
Date bark (24.5B views)
It's all happening! From the TikTok Book Awards to Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, TikTok brought us all together to experience unique moments that helped shape culture as we know it in 2023. Here are some of the most unforgettable real-time moments this year.
TikTok Book Awards (31.5M views)
Eurovision 2023 (LIVE)
Glastonbury (LIVE)
BBC Children in Need (LIVE)
Hay Festival (38.3k followers/1M likes)
Comic Relief (LIVE)
Edinburgh Festival Fringe (51.5k followers/ 437.2k likes)
EGX (5.3k followers/45.3k likes)
England Women's Football Team (7.7M followers/125.1M likes)
Six Nations (541.9k followers/15M likes)
In 2023, creators continued to push boundaries, inspiring others to learn something new and advocate for causes they care about.
Whether it's Tyreece sharing LGBT positive content and incredible runway looks or Toby Addison using his platform to share facts about living with blindness, these creators are making a huge difference around the world. Here are the changemakers who are using TikTok to spark good this year.
@tyreeceinheels (1M followers/45.5M likes)
@javeno7 (1.1M followers/18.9M likes)
@chloecarterrwith2rs (45.1k followers/1.2M likes)
@graemefs (337.3k followers/6.2M likes)
@becomingjude (42.4k followers/1.7M likes)
@saeedahhaque (245.3k followers/6.9M likes)
@rosiiebreenx (584k followers/12.1M likes)
@hardestgeezer (43k followers/368.8k likes)
@blindtobes (284.5k followers/15M likes)
@veekativhu (37.3k followers/1.3M likes)
Celebrate Year on TikTok 2023 with us
As we wrap up yet another memorable year on TikTok, get ready to celebrate with us in the UK, as we recap all the artists, creators and small businesses who have made it so special.
Let's scroll it back on TikTok! Learn more about this year's most unforgettable trends, creators and moments by searching #YearOnTikTok on the app.
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Year on TikTok 2023 is based on internal research and trends analysis conducted from January to October 2023.
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