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TikTok: a masterclass in addictive UX design

Jason Deakin
Bootcamp
Published in
2 min readMar 30, 2023

A diagram showing the splash screen from the TikTok app (Midjourney)
A diagram showing the splash screen from the TikTok app (Midjourney)

TikTok has taken the world by storm with over a billion active users globally. The app is known for its addictive design that makes it hard to put down. But what exactly makes TikTok so addictive? In this article, we will explore the role of UX in TikTok’s addictive design.

The algorithm that learns your preferences

TikTok’s algorithm is at the heart of its addictive design. The app’s algorithm learns your preferences and shows you more of what you like. As you engage with the content, the algorithm picks up on what type of content you enjoy watching and shows you more of it. This personalisation keeps users engaged and coming back for more.

Short attention span friendly videos

TikTok’s UX design caters to our notoriously short attention spans. The app’s videos are short, lasting no more than 60 seconds. This bite sized content makes it easy to watch and keeps us engaged. The app’s interface is so user friendly, making it easy to move on to the next video with a simple swipe.

The infinite scroll that never ends

TikTok’s infinite scroll is the epitome of addictive design and the never-ending feed of content makes it easy to lose track of time. The app’s UX is designed…

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Bootcamp
Bootcamp

Published in Bootcamp

From idea to product, one lesson at a time. Bootcamp is a collection of resources and opinion pieces about UX, UI, and Product. To submit your story: https://tinyurl.com/bootspub1

Jason Deakin
Jason Deakin

Written by Jason Deakin

UX designer and accessibility specialist (DAC) sharing insights on user centred design. Follow for practical tips to enhance your digital products #ux #a11y

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