TikTok is taking over teens’ attention with mesmerizing, algorithmically optimized memes.

TikTok is taking over teens’ attention with mesmerizing, algorithmically optimized memes. The short-form video app absorbed musical.ly and is related to Chinese Douyin—which is all under the umbrella of ByteDance. Having that kind of financial and technology backing gives TikTok a leg-up on similar trendy apps of the past (ahem, Vine), making them more of a major social media competitor than other up-and-comers. Facebook and Snapchat are racing to copy them, but TikTok isn’t just gaining users and keeping their attention—it’s rapidly finding ways to monetize. (The New Yorker)