TikTok Ltd. was founded in 2016 by Zhang Yiming in Beijing and later expanded globally with major operations in Los Angeles. The company built a short-form video platform powered by artificial intelligence recommendation systems that analyze billions of daily interactions. By 2025, TikTok and its parent ByteDance generated over $160 billion in annual revenue with more than 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. The platform is known for its algorithm-first discovery model that prioritizes engagement rather than social connections. TikTok became culturally dominant through viral trends, music integration, and creator ecosystems across more than 150 countries. Its combination of entertainment, commerce, and AI-driven personalization has made it one of the most influential digital platforms globally.