A closer look at Americans’ experiences with news on TikTok
Many TikTok accounts mix in news with a variety of other topics, from celebrity gossip to jokes and memes.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Pew-Knight Initiative
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8 facts about Americans and TikTok
Americans increasingly have been turning to TikTok – both in general and for news – even as the app faces an uncertain future in the United States.
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A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations
A majority of U.S. adult TikTok users (62%) say a reason they use the site is to look at product reviews or recommendations.
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America’s News Influencers
This study explores the makeup of the social media news influencer universe, including who they are, what content they create and who their audiences are.
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Friends, family and neighbors are Americans’ most common source of local news
About three-quarters of Americans (73%) say they often or sometimes get local news from friends, family and neighbors.
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The link between local news coverage and Americans’ perceptions of crime
Roughly three-quarters of adults (77%) say they often or sometimes get local news and information about crime.
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Americans’ Experiences With Local Crime News
Most U.S. adults say they are interested in several types of local crime coverage, but far fewer say this information is easy to find.
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About half of TikTok users under 30 say they use it to keep up with politics, news
TikTok users under 30 see its impact on democracy more positively than older users, with 45% of this group saying it’s mostly good for American democracy.
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How Americans Get Local Political News
Most U.S. adults follow news about local government and politics, yet only a quarter are highly satisfied with the quality of coverage.
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How Americans Navigate Politics on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram
X stands out as a place people go to keep up with politics. Still, some users see political posts on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, too.
