In 30 seconds:
- The influencer scene on TikTok is growing. What makes the app such a magnet for content creators?
- With so many influencers out there, which should you follow and why? We’ll take you through the top TikTok influencers, one by one.
- We ask the popular question – who is the best influencer? The answer may surprise you.
It’s 2022: TikTok is getting more traffic than Google, and it’s the fastest growing app in the world. One age group is helping the short video-sharing app’s development continuously.
Gen Z loves TikTok. And d’you know who they also love (and trust)? Influencers. Gen Z makes up over half of TikTokers, and they are the most likely demographic to follow many influencers at a time. They also trust influencers more than traditional ads. So if you’re looking to target them, TikTok influencer marketing is the way forward.
Social media gurus, dance pros and side-splitting entertainers have flocked to TikTok to get Gen Z’s attention and earn their trust. But with over 1 billion monthly active Tiktok users, it’s challenging to know which social media star will help you be at the top of your TikTok game.
But don’t worry! By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly which social media personalities are the most influential and why you should be clicking that follow button immediately.
Why do influencers love TikTok?
Instagram may be one of the first social media influencer hubs, but TikTok is starting to take the lead. Why?
It’s partly down to trust. Influencers are all about connecting with their fans. 64% of TikTok users say they feel they can be their true selves on the platform and 56% say they can post videos they wouldn’t post elsewhere. It’s a social media channel built on originality and authentic connection.
It’s also entertaining. On TikTok, average engagement rates are much higher than other social media platforms. As of July 2020, the UK TikTok influencer engagement rate was over 17%. That’s compared to an average of 4.7% on Instagram and 0.19% on Facebook.
On TikTok, influencers aren’t under pressure to present a perfect version of themselves: they can express their personalities and have fun – and they’re rewarded with incredible numbers of views and likes – metrics that brands are keen to make use of.
How many influencers does TikTok have?
There are over 3.1 million influencers on TikTok. A TikTok influencer is an account with 1000 followers or more. These TikTok creators vary from genre to genre and range from nano-influencers to the top dogs with tens of millions of followers. We talk through the different kinds of TikTok influencers in our article here.
So, who’s on top?
Who is the best influencer on TikTok?
This is a tricky question because “best” can mean different things at different times. It’s all down to why you’re working with an influencer, and what TikTok content that influencer can bring to your campaign.
If you’re wondering who has the most TikTok followers, it’s Khaby Lame (more on him later).
If you’re looking for the account with the most viewed TikTok video of all time, it’s Bella Poarch. (we’ll chat about her later too).
Suppose you’re searching for the best influencer for you. That’s a slightly different question.
We always recommend looking for the following:
- Alignment – Make sure the TikTok influencer aligns with your brand. If they already use your brand, that’s even better.
- Reliability – Look at previous sponsorships and collaborations they’ve done and how well each was received by their fanbase. Double-check they are consistently posting.
- Followers and views – Take a peek at their following. How much engagement do they get on their videos? Are they the right-sized influencer for you?
We wrote an article packed full of info on how brands can work with TikTok Influencers. Take a gander to see more of our tips.
If trawling through TikTok for the right influencer feels daunting (and time consuming), we have a trick up our sleeve: Bytesights is the world’s first platform for analysing TikTok influencers of any niche. It delivers insights on views, engagement, reliability, consistency and plenty more. And it’s our secret weapon (yours too if you want to work with us!).
Back to why you’re here. It’s time to look at the top influencers you should be following right this second.
1. Khaby Lame (@khaby.lame)
As of 23rd June 2022, Khaby Lame is the most followed person on TikTok – knocking Charli D’Amelio off the top spot. A Senegalese-born social media personality based in Chivasso, Italy, 22-year old Khaby began posting on TikTok after he was laid off from his job in the early days of the pandemic. He rose to fame for using the app’s Duet and Stitch features to create funny, wordless responses to trending content. He also posts silent comedy skits to the tune of millions of views and likes.
@khaby.lame Different things 🤣 #learnfromkhaby #learnontiktok @tiktok ♬ suono originale - Khabane lame
Why you should follow them:
Becoming the most-followed influencer on TikTok is no mean feat. Khaby has over 146 million followers, and that number keeps growing – making him a great choice to unlock huge brand awareness. But the real story here is Khaby’s originality. This influencer has managed to create his own brand of comedy that’s entirely wordless, making it relatable to anyone, regardless of where they are or the language they speak. He’s an icon – and he’s hugely entertaining.
2. Charli D’Amelio (@charlidamelio)
If you’re looking for a TikTok influencer giant, look no further. Charli D’Amelio is the most followed account on the platform, and her TikTok account continues to grow. In the last 30 days alone, her following grew by 2,000,010. She initially became popular through her viral dances and fun lip-syncs, and was part of the Hype House, which you may recognise from a certain Netflix documentary. Her family has even created a Hulu exclusive called “The D’Amelio Show” about their life in LA.
@charlidamelio introducing our final @socialtourist drop of 2021! shop vol 7 now #wethetourists #socialtouristcofounder ♬ original sound - charli d’amelio
Why you should follow them:
If you’re looking for a TikTok influencer giant, look no further. Charli D’Amelio is the most followed account on the platform, and her TikTok account continues to grow. In the last 30 days alone, her following grew by 2,000,010. She initially became popular through her viral dances and fun lip-syncs, and was part of the Hype House, which you may recognise from a certain Netflix documentary. Her family has even created a Hulu exclusive called “The D’Amelio Show” about their life in LA.
3. Dixie D’Amelio (@dixiedamelio)
Keeping it in the family, Dixie D’Amelio is Charli’s older sister. Her infectious personality and exciting dances have been entertaining her fans since 2019. She is often collaborating with her sister but still has her own “edge”. Dixie was also in the Hype House and is a model in her own right, and in January 2020, she signed with modelling agency United Talent.
@dixiedamelio sneak peek of my @PUMA ♬ original sound - dixie
Why you should follow them:
Dixie is constantly collaborating with other influencers and celebrities. Her authenticity shines through the camera, and she’ll give you lots of inspiration for how to make TikTok videos look effortless.
4. Addison Rae (@addisonre)
Addison Rae is a TikTok dancer and lip-syncer who creates trendsetting content that packs a punch. She initially gained popularity through funny dance videos of her and her mother, Sheri. She’s also a graduate from the Hype House. Since then, she has skyrocketed to become the fourth most-followed account on the platform.
@addisonre on set with @itembeauty #itemcofounder ♬ hey zohar.s - zohar 😉
Why you should follow them:
Like Charli D’Amelio, Addison Rae knows what trends are working. Her dance videos are genuine and often a little goofy. Keep an eye on her account for innovative collaborations and fun ideas.
5. Bella Poarch (@bellapoarch)
Bella Poarch is the creator of the most viewed viral video on TikTok of all time. That’s quite something. Her fun anime-inspired themes are often mesmerising and always entertaining. Her new single “Build a bitch” made it in the top 25 of the USA charts.
@bellapoarch #duet with @bellapoarch ♬ M to the B - Millie B
Why you should follow them:
Bella has done numerous brand collabs and sponsorships, especially with luxury products. She’s also a talented singer (check out her YouTube channel for her music videos). Keep an eye on how she does her TikTok videos and why they work.
6. Zach King (@zachking)
Zach King started his social media career in 2016. Before TikTok, he was already posting cleverly edited videos on youtube and Vine. He used the special effects tools on Vine to first create his content but quickly advanced to more innovative and astounding techniques. Having graduated from film school, he kept up the work and now has 66.6 million followers on TikTok.
@zachking Ever wonder why it’s called Fast Food?
Why you should follow them:
His videos are just plain clever. They will keep you entertained and give you tons of inspiration. His tutorials and creative collaborations with brands are also food for thought.
7. Baby Ariel (@babyariel)
Baby Ariel was a TikTok star before TikTok even existed. Her lip-syncing videos became renowned on Musical.ly (TikTok was born when Musical.ly merged with Douyin). She was the first to gain 20 million followers on the platform and is still a major player. And she’s not just spreading her wings on TikTok. She recently had a starring role in the Disney Channel movie Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2.
@babyariel yummy @justinbieber @trevorflannyt @philwright_famjam ♬ Yummy - Justin Bieber
Why you should follow them:
With her involvement in Disney and her many talents, Baby Ariel will grow into one of the most influential social media creators. Watch out for what she might do next.
8. Loren Grey (@lorengrey)
Loren Grey is another creator who started on Musical.ly. She began with fun lip-syncs and has since forged her path into stardom with actual pop songs like “Queen” and “My Story”. She has fashion-focused videos as well as funny quips. She’s a complete all-rounder.
@lorengray idk i feel a glow up approaching
♬ amiadennett hotties only creds jessrosinaarmstrong - mimi 🦋
Why you should follow them:
Her collaborations are perfect examples of effective promotion. She is always aligned with the brand and shows off its best qualities. Take a look for yourself.
9. Spencer X (@spencerx)
Who knew a beatboxing expert would be one of the biggest stars on TikTok?This guy has the gift of the gab. His beatboxing videos have clocked up over 1.3 billion likes, and he’s now released a single called “Water”.
@spencerx #ad did my speaker just…back me up?! 🗣💥😂 #JBLPulse4 @jblaudio ♬ original sound - Spencer X
Why you should follow them:
This influencer is always on-trend. His brand endorsements are on point and showcase how creative you can get with an influencer.
10. Brent Rivera (@brentrivera)
One of the top pranksters on TikTok, Brent Rivera initially rose to stardom on Vine. He has fine-tuned his comedy sketches and stunts and knows the best ways to keep his followers engaged.
@brentrivera His face 😂😂😂😂 @thedombrack ♬ original sound - Brent Rivera
Why you should follow them:
Although pranks aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea, Brent manages to be loveable in all of his content. Watch how he hones the idea of “authentic” and take a page out of his book.
11. Lucas & Marcus Dobre-Mofid (@dobretwins)
Collectively known as the Dobre Twins, Lucas and Marcus are an American duo who first became famous on social media app Vine. Their TikTok video content still has that same personality that made the twins famous: it includes challenge videos, experiments, dance videos, pranks and more.
@dobretwins Answer @im_siowei ♬ original sound - Lucas and Marcus
Why you should follow them:
This is one of the most talked-about accounts on TikTok, so it’s useful for brands to follow so they know what their Gen Z audience is seeing. Sometimes the twins’ pranks go too far, but their more lighthearted content is useful inspiration for TikTok challenges.
12. Kyle Thomas (@kylethomas)
Kyle Thomas is in pole position in the UK. He has already worked with Westfield and continues to grow his collaborations. Watch out for the way he does it and with who.
@kylethomas strange little thing 😂
Why you should follow them:
This is one of the most talked-about accounts on TikTok, so it’s useful for brands to follow so they know what their Gen Z audience is seeing. Sometimes the twins’ pranks go too far, but their more lighthearted content is useful inspiration for TikTok challenges.
13. Jojo Siwa (@itsjojosiwa)
Joelle Joanie “JoJo” Siwa first came to fame whilst appearing in TV show Dance Moms (just like Tiktok influencer Mackenzie Ziegler (@mackenzieziegler)), were she starred as a dancer and gymnast. Since the show, she’s developed her professional profile and has released two singles as well as launching her Youtube and TikTok channels. She regularly shows backstage and behind the scenes footage of her performances.
@itsjojosiwa I Fell on stage last night….
Why you should follow them:
TikTok is known for its dances, so it’s no surprise to see this former child star do well on the platform. But JoJo is known for more than her moves: she came out as gay on social media and is a great spokesperson for LGBTQ+ youth.
14. Gil Croes (@gilmhercroes)
Gilherm “Gil” Croes, is a model, actor and influencer best known for his lip-sync videos and comedy skits on TikTok and YouTube. His goofy comedy is typically lighthearted and makes use of his expressive face. The Caribbean influencer often partners up with his brother, Jayden Croes.
@gilmhercroes TEAM ANDROID OR TEAM APPLE 🤣🤣🤣
Why you should follow them:
Gil’s self-deprecating humour is a breath of fresh air. He is never mean or crude. His videos are very meme-able, and often spark trends on TikTok as other accounts copy his skits.
15. Michael Le (@justmaiko)
TikTok star Michael Le was one of the most-followed accounts on TikTok last year. A choreographer and dancer, he started dancing aged 4. In 2020, Michael and his TikTok influencer peers formed the social media collective Shluv House in LA, where they created content for TikTok and other social media platforms.
@justmaiko i found a deleted scene from the squid games😳😂
Why you should follow them:
Michael is one of the most well-known advocates for TikTok in the US, being one of the key influencers to speak out against Donald Trump’s proposed ban of the app in 2020. His content is also well put together, blending several TikTok in-jokes together in one video.
16. Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo)
A world famous musician with platinum singles to his name, including “Wiggle“, “Talk Dirty“, “Want to Want Me“, “Ridin’ Solo“, and “Whatcha Say“, Jason Derulo didn’t need to conquer TikTok to register on the charts. But he’s captured a new generation of fans through his viral success on the platform, and has even earned himself the title “TikTok King”. His videos aren’t just musically slick, either: they’re funny, creative, and show how much fun artists can have on the platform.
@jasonderulo Like father like son @jena ♬ Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) - Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo
Why you should follow them:
Jason Derulo doesn’t just join trends, he uses them to stand out. He’s relatable, communicating with followers and other influencers in a natural, likeable way. We wrote about what you can learn from Jason Derulo’s TikTok in our article here.
Follow, then follow up
Now we’ve listed some of the top TikTok influencers you need to be following, it’s time to get to it!
Of course, checking out these accounts is all well and good, but making use of them is another story. Brands should be reaping the benefits of TikTok through its never-ending stream of inspiration. It has creativity by the bucketload. So use it.
TikTok influencer marketing can feel like a minefield. We get that. So we’ve tried to make it easier for all brands to steer their marketing in the right direction.
It’s essential to find the perfect influencer fit, no matter your niche. At Fanbytes, we are whizzes at doing precisely that. So if you think you could use our expertise (and would like to hear our lovely voices), get in touch.
If you’re searching for more influencer guidance, we have a whole lot of brilliant ideas:
