I think TikTok’s success is based on: (1) far superior UX, (2) showing content from anyone as the default, giving them a large pool to draw from and avoiding the chicken and egg problem, and (3) an excellent (probably quite simple) ML loop that just throws video at you until it finds something you like.

TikTok feels like an intense drug hit compared to Facebook. It’s easy to lose time to it, a LOT of time.

I didn’t think I’d like it until it figured out I enjoyed DIY / makers videos. Then 30 mins went by before I realised and deleted the app.