
We know AI influencers aren’t real – so why do we trust them?
Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.
SOCIAL MEDIA
By our News Team | 2022
Latest ‘What’s Next’ report says there will be more shopping opportunities on the platform and better ways for brands to use music.
TikTok has released its first What’s Next Report for 2022, looking ahead to what the company believes will be another strong year for the social media platform after stellar growth in 2021.
Among other things, the report provides insight into the top-performing categories on TikTok, ways of unlocking success on the app, tips for brands and business owners, the importance of music to authentic partnerships with creators, and a continued focus on brand safety.
The authors claim that the platform was a launchpad for product discovery that sparked new shopping trends and drove cultural conversations for old and new products. So much so, that 2022 will see the arrival of new features such as TikTok Shopping.
This is a suite of e-commerce tools that turn videos into shoppable entertainment, and will provide ways for brands, merchants and creators to harness the power of community commerce through the platform.
Photo by Cottonbro from Pexels
Platform had a ‘big impact’ on the music industry
TikTok music comes in for glowing praise from the in-house report, with the authors claiming that 66% of people feel TikTok has had a big impact on the music industry. This, they say, has led consumers to research, stream and buy songs they hear whilst they have been browsing the app.
This not only opens up new possibilities for artists and brands alike, but creates a new paradigm for sharing, creating and finding music. If brands want to push the music culture forward in 2022, it’s important to put the artists at the forefront of what they do – and think (and act) artist-first, the report says.
The authors add that music generates longer watch times, on average, and makes consumers more positive and less likely to skip content. Instrumental music generates the strongest brand recall, while R&B, pop and rap are most related to brand likeability. Music that is tailor-made by brands tends to generate the most intrigue and track clicks.
Says Sofia Hernandez, Global Head of Business Marketing for TikTok: “2021 was a monumental year for TikTok. It was a year full of growth, learnings and accomplishments, and 2022 will be no different.
“From the evolution of sound on the platform, to the unstoppable power of #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt and creators, there are so many ways for businesses of all sizes to creatively engage with our community. Our What’s Next report provides an insightful look at what was hot in 2021, and a deep dive into what’s to come for 2022.”

Researchers describe AI influencers as having a ‘dual identity’. Consumers evaluate both ‘person’ and ‘technology’ identities at once.

Reputation and trust, once modest influences on hotel choice, have become some of the strongest predictors of patronage, study finds.

South African brands are increasingly setting the global benchmark for customer loyalty strategies, organisers say.

Global influences among younger consumers are still present, but they are being filtered through a distinctly Zambian lens.

Researchers find that lack of perceived ‘genuine care’ is the mechanism connecting AI involvement to lower trust ratings.

Explore the 2026 AMC Conference speaker line-up. Top African marketing voices gather in Zambia to tackle AI, AfCFTA, and brand power. Register today.

New industry currency will bring South African television and online video audiences together in a single measurement system.

Making people feel that an event space reflects their values leads to long-term loyalty and spending. FOMO also plays its part.

Norms may change, but right now it’s better to err on the side of caution when using AI in advertisements, study finds.

GeoPoll insights report from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa finds that quality remains the key purchase driver in FMCG.

As the country celebrates Heritage Month, Takealot embarks on a campaign to speak to consumers in all 12 official languages.