The co-evolution of two Chinese mobile short video apps: Parallel platformization of Douyin and TikTok
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Level 4 by design analogy, not clinical CEBM (qualitative comparative case study).
OpenAlex W3082030567 · doi:10.1177/2050157920952120
What was done
The authors conducted a comparative qualitative case study of ByteDance's short-video platforms, Douyin and TikTok, using the app walkthrough method informed by platformization of culture production theory to examine their affordances, functionality, and adaptation to divergent market, cultural, and policy frameworks.
What was found
The abstract reports no quantitative data. Qualitatively, Douyin and TikTok share strong similarities in appearance, functionality, and platform affordances, but diverge in response to opposing regulatory and cultural ecosystems. The authors conceptualize this co-evolutionary expansion model as parallel platformization.
Why it matters
The study introduces the concept of parallel platformization to explain how digital platforms can expand internationally by maintaining bifurcated platform twins across distinct global regulatory regimes.
Limits
The analysis is restricted to qualitative walkthrough observations of two apps from a single company (ByteDance), offering no quantitative measurements, algorithmic data, or user behavioral metrics.
Cited by
- supports The Chinese version of TikTok (Douyin) imposes specific limits on minors, including night shut-offs and algorithms that prioritize educational and patriotic content.