October 1, 2025
TikTok News Hub: 1 in 5 Americans Rely on App
October 1, 2025
TikTok News Hub: 1 in 5 Americans Rely on App
Discover how TikTok became a major news source, with 1 in 5 Americans using the app for updates—insights for brands, media & marketers.
TikTok Becomes News Hub: 1 in 5 Americans Now Get News on the App
When TikTok first burst onto the scene, most people knew it as a space for dance challenges, trending sounds, and quick entertainment. But fast forward to today, and the platform has evolved into something much bigger—an unexpected hub for news consumption.
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, one in five American adults now turns to TikTok for news, a huge leap from just 3% in 2020. And it’s not just casual scrolling—this shift is reshaping how younger generations consume information and how brands, media, and marketers should think about content strategy.
Gen Z and Millennials Lead the Shift
Unsurprisingly, younger audiences are driving this trend. In 2020, only 9% of adults under 30 said they got news from TikTok. By 2025, that number skyrocketed to 43%. Adults aged 30–49 aren’t far behind, with 25% now relying on TikTok for news compared to just 2% five years ago.
Meanwhile, older generations remain largely untouched by this shift—just 10% of people aged 50–64 and 3% of those over 65 report using TikTok for news. The takeaway? TikTok is rapidly becoming the go-to news source for younger audiences, which means brands targeting Gen Z and millennials can’t afford to ignore the platform’s evolving role.
TikTok Joins the Ranks of Major News Platforms
TikTok isn’t just catching up—it’s competing head-to-head with other social media giants for news relevance. Today, 55% of TikTok users consume news on the app, compared to:
Facebook: 53%
YouTube: 41%
Instagram: 41%
What makes TikTok different is its short-form, algorithm-driven delivery. Instead of scrolling through static posts or long-form articles, users can access breaking news, trending updates, and live coverage in snackable, high-energy formats that match their browsing habits.
What This Means for Media, Marketers, and Advertisers
TikTok’s transformation into a news hub brings opportunities—and responsibilities.
For Media Organizations: The pressure is on to adapt content for vertical video, fast-paced storytelling, and livestream updates. Those who don’t risk losing relevance with younger audiences.
For Advertisers & Brands: This shift creates a chance to align products or campaigns with trending conversations. Audiences engaging with news are also primed for discovery—especially if your content feels authentic and timely.
For Policymakers & Educators: The blending of news, commentary, and entertainment highlights the importance of media literacy. With algorithms shaping what people see, helping audiences distinguish fact from opinion is more critical than ever.
The Bottom Line
In just five years, TikTok has gone from lighthearted fun to a serious player in the information ecosystem. For brands, marketers, and sellers, this means the way you craft your TikTok Shop and influencer marketing strategies should adapt too. News-driven content and storytelling can be powerful ways to meet audiences where they’re already engaged.
At Zorilla Marketing, we help brands harness these shifts—whether it’s training hosts, shaping influencer-led LIVE strategies, or optimizing TikTok Shop presence—so you don’t just keep up with trends, you stay ahead of them.
Book a free strategy call with our team today and let us help you make your Shop Tab presence your strongest sales channel.
Also read:
TikTok Becomes News Hub: 1 in 5 Americans Now Get News on the App
When TikTok first burst onto the scene, most people knew it as a space for dance challenges, trending sounds, and quick entertainment. But fast forward to today, and the platform has evolved into something much bigger—an unexpected hub for news consumption.
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, one in five American adults now turns to TikTok for news, a huge leap from just 3% in 2020. And it’s not just casual scrolling—this shift is reshaping how younger generations consume information and how brands, media, and marketers should think about content strategy.
Gen Z and Millennials Lead the Shift
Unsurprisingly, younger audiences are driving this trend. In 2020, only 9% of adults under 30 said they got news from TikTok. By 2025, that number skyrocketed to 43%. Adults aged 30–49 aren’t far behind, with 25% now relying on TikTok for news compared to just 2% five years ago.
Meanwhile, older generations remain largely untouched by this shift—just 10% of people aged 50–64 and 3% of those over 65 report using TikTok for news. The takeaway? TikTok is rapidly becoming the go-to news source for younger audiences, which means brands targeting Gen Z and millennials can’t afford to ignore the platform’s evolving role.
TikTok Joins the Ranks of Major News Platforms
TikTok isn’t just catching up—it’s competing head-to-head with other social media giants for news relevance. Today, 55% of TikTok users consume news on the app, compared to:
Facebook: 53%
YouTube: 41%
Instagram: 41%
What makes TikTok different is its short-form, algorithm-driven delivery. Instead of scrolling through static posts or long-form articles, users can access breaking news, trending updates, and live coverage in snackable, high-energy formats that match their browsing habits.
What This Means for Media, Marketers, and Advertisers
TikTok’s transformation into a news hub brings opportunities—and responsibilities.
For Media Organizations: The pressure is on to adapt content for vertical video, fast-paced storytelling, and livestream updates. Those who don’t risk losing relevance with younger audiences.
For Advertisers & Brands: This shift creates a chance to align products or campaigns with trending conversations. Audiences engaging with news are also primed for discovery—especially if your content feels authentic and timely.
For Policymakers & Educators: The blending of news, commentary, and entertainment highlights the importance of media literacy. With algorithms shaping what people see, helping audiences distinguish fact from opinion is more critical than ever.
The Bottom Line
In just five years, TikTok has gone from lighthearted fun to a serious player in the information ecosystem. For brands, marketers, and sellers, this means the way you craft your TikTok Shop and influencer marketing strategies should adapt too. News-driven content and storytelling can be powerful ways to meet audiences where they’re already engaged.
At Zorilla Marketing, we help brands harness these shifts—whether it’s training hosts, shaping influencer-led LIVE strategies, or optimizing TikTok Shop presence—so you don’t just keep up with trends, you stay ahead of them.
Book a free strategy call with our team today and let us help you make your Shop Tab presence your strongest sales channel.
Also read:
Discover how TikTok became a major news source, with 1 in 5 Americans using the app for updates—insights for brands, media & marketers.
TikTok Becomes News Hub: 1 in 5 Americans Now Get News on the App
When TikTok first burst onto the scene, most people knew it as a space for dance challenges, trending sounds, and quick entertainment. But fast forward to today, and the platform has evolved into something much bigger—an unexpected hub for news consumption.
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, one in five American adults now turns to TikTok for news, a huge leap from just 3% in 2020. And it’s not just casual scrolling—this shift is reshaping how younger generations consume information and how brands, media, and marketers should think about content strategy.
Gen Z and Millennials Lead the Shift
Unsurprisingly, younger audiences are driving this trend. In 2020, only 9% of adults under 30 said they got news from TikTok. By 2025, that number skyrocketed to 43%. Adults aged 30–49 aren’t far behind, with 25% now relying on TikTok for news compared to just 2% five years ago.
Meanwhile, older generations remain largely untouched by this shift—just 10% of people aged 50–64 and 3% of those over 65 report using TikTok for news. The takeaway? TikTok is rapidly becoming the go-to news source for younger audiences, which means brands targeting Gen Z and millennials can’t afford to ignore the platform’s evolving role.
TikTok Joins the Ranks of Major News Platforms
TikTok isn’t just catching up—it’s competing head-to-head with other social media giants for news relevance. Today, 55% of TikTok users consume news on the app, compared to:
Facebook: 53%
YouTube: 41%
Instagram: 41%
What makes TikTok different is its short-form, algorithm-driven delivery. Instead of scrolling through static posts or long-form articles, users can access breaking news, trending updates, and live coverage in snackable, high-energy formats that match their browsing habits.
What This Means for Media, Marketers, and Advertisers
TikTok’s transformation into a news hub brings opportunities—and responsibilities.
For Media Organizations: The pressure is on to adapt content for vertical video, fast-paced storytelling, and livestream updates. Those who don’t risk losing relevance with younger audiences.
For Advertisers & Brands: This shift creates a chance to align products or campaigns with trending conversations. Audiences engaging with news are also primed for discovery—especially if your content feels authentic and timely.
For Policymakers & Educators: The blending of news, commentary, and entertainment highlights the importance of media literacy. With algorithms shaping what people see, helping audiences distinguish fact from opinion is more critical than ever.
The Bottom Line
In just five years, TikTok has gone from lighthearted fun to a serious player in the information ecosystem. For brands, marketers, and sellers, this means the way you craft your TikTok Shop and influencer marketing strategies should adapt too. News-driven content and storytelling can be powerful ways to meet audiences where they’re already engaged.
At Zorilla Marketing, we help brands harness these shifts—whether it’s training hosts, shaping influencer-led LIVE strategies, or optimizing TikTok Shop presence—so you don’t just keep up with trends, you stay ahead of them.
Book a free strategy call with our team today and let us help you make your Shop Tab presence your strongest sales channel.
Also read:
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Check our other project Blogs with useful insight and information for your businesses