# What we can learn from TikTok through its Research API

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2402.13855 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2402.13855/

## Key facts

- Cited by 3 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 21 Feb 2024.

## Built on by (most cited first, 3 of 3)

- [TigerLLM - A Family of Bangla Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.10995/) (2025)
- [Characterizing Network Structure of Anti-Trans Actors on TikTok](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2501.16507/) (2025)
- [The Tone of Awareness: Topic, Sentiment, and Toxicity Maps During Mental Health Month on TikTok](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.13581/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

TikTok is a social media platform that has gained immense popularity over the last few years, particularly among younger demographics, due to the viral trends and challenges shared worldwide. The recent release of a free Research API opens the door to collecting data on posted videos, associated comments, and user activities. Our study focuses on evaluating the reliability of the results returned by the Research API, by collecting and analyzing a random sample of TikTok videos posted in a span of 6 years. Our preliminary results are instrumental for future research that aims to study the platform, highlighting caveats on the geographical distribution of videos and on the global prevalence of viral and conspiratorial hashtags.