TikTok for Americans now is not just about entertainment and trends. It is also a medium by which they consume news.
A new report from the Pew Research Center reveals that one in five adults now regularly get their news from TikTok, which is a significant rise from just 3% in 2020.
The report shows TikTok’s rapid growth as a news source, particularly among younger adults, showing a major shift in how Americans consume news.
How TikTok became a news platform in the US?
In just five years, the percentage of adults under 30 who get news on TikTok has soared from 9% in 2020 to 43% in 2025. Meanwhile, adults aged 30-49 have also turned to TikTok more, with 25% now using it regularly for news, up from 2% five years ago.
The platform’s short-form, algorithm-driven videos have become a go-to source for breaking news, trending stories, and viral content.
While younger generations are driving this trend, TikTok’s appeal as a news source remains limited among older adults. Only 10% of people aged 50-64 and a mere 3% of those aged 65 and older say they regularly use TikTok for news.
In fact, over half of TikTok users (55%) say they now get news on the platform, up from just 22% in 2020. This growth places TikTok alongside other major social media platforms like Facebook (53%), YouTube (41%), and Instagram (41%) in terms of regular news consumption.
Will it become a new avenue for advertisers?
According to the study, the rapid growth of TikTok as a news platform has important implications for news organisations, advertisers, and policymakers.
With younger generations increasingly relying on TikTok for news, it is crucial for media companies to adapt their content strategies to meet this new demand.
Advertisers also need to understand the growing importance of TikTok when targeting younger audiences, especially in the context of news-related content.
Moreover, the rise of TikTok as a news source demand the need for media literacy programs, as the platform’s algorithm-driven content can sometimes blur the line between news and entertainment.