TikTok vs Instagram Followers Which is More Valuable To Your Countertop Business
Instagram followers are valuable for building a strong, long-term brand presence and targeting design-savvy customers, while TikTok followers can help generate viral exposure and reach a younger, trend-focused audience quickly. A combination of both platforms can offer the best results for your countertop business. On the surface, TikTok and Instagram seem like similar platforms, but a closer look reveals that they’re two entirely different beasts. Different audiences come to the apps for different experiences and engage in different ways. Instagram followers are valuable for building a strong, long-term brand presence and targeting design-savvy customers, while TikTok followers can help generate viral exposure and reach a younger, trend-focused audience quickly. A combination of both platforms can offer the best results for your countertop business. This manifests in divergent follower mentalities across the services. For example, while some individuals or brands may explore options to buy TikTok followers to build their presence on the platform quickly, it’s essential to recognize that this tactic won’t necessarily translate to similar success on Instagram. Brands and influencers should not develop social strategies under the illusion that TikTok and Instagram followers share similar motivations and behaviours.
Click on each corresponding link to jump ahead:
- Different Demographics
- Different Modes of Use
- Different Types of Followers
- Implications for Influencers and Brands
- Is Instagram or TikTok More Popular With Countertop Buyers
- Is It Better to Go Viral on TikTok or Instagram?
- Conclusion
If you are looking for help with your countertop company on social media, contact Profitworks today!
1) Different Demographics
Source: Vicostone Instagram
Age
TikTok's user base is predominantly young, with over 55% of users under 30. This makes it a platform that appeals mostly to teens and young adults, which could be useful if your business wants to tap into a younger demographic. On the other hand, Instagram has a more balanced age range, with only about 40% of users under 30. Instagram is used by a broader spectrum of ages, including older millennials and Gen Xers, which could be beneficial if your target audience includes homeowners, renovators, or those investing in premium countertop options.
Gender
Both TikTok and Instagram have more female than male users, but the gender imbalance is more pronounced on TikTok, where 56.8% of users are female. Instagram's gender gap is smaller, with 53.6% of its users identifying as female. If your countertop business targets a more general or diverse audience, Instagram might offer a more balanced platform, while TikTok’s audience might skew more female.
2) Different Modes of Use
Source: Floform Instagram
Browsing vs. Personal Connections
TikTok thrives on discovery—users often watch videos from creators they don’t follow, driven by an algorithm that recommends content based on interests and engagement. This means TikTok allows users to passively explore a wide variety of videos, which can help increase brand visibility quickly. In contrast, Instagram is more about curated content from known accounts. Users typically follow people, brands, or influencers they’re personally connected to, making it a platform for building a deeper connection with your audience.
Casual Entertainment vs. Lifestyle Aspirations
TikTok is primarily for entertainment—quick, engaging content that people consume in short bursts. If your countertop business wants to create fun, relatable content that captures attention quickly, TikTok is the place for it. Instagram, on the other hand, is about showcasing lifestyle and aspirational content. People post highlights of their lives, and your business can leverage this to showcase your countertops in beautifully designed spaces, giving potential customers ideas for their own homes.
3) Different Types of Followers
Source: Cambria Tik Tok
TikTok: Casual Followers
Followers on TikTok are often more casual. They follow for entertainment and trends, not necessarily because they’re deeply invested in a brand. This means that while TikTok can drive a lot of views and shares, the followers may be fleeting. Your content must be highly engaging to stand out in a sea of fast-moving, trending videos.
Instagram: Loyal Followers
Instagram followers tend to be more invested in the content they follow. They engage by liking, commenting, and sharing posts, and they're more likely to follow your business if they feel a connection to the brand. Instagram users are more selective about who they follow, meaning the followers you gain here are often more dedicated and can lead to stronger customer relationships and higher conversion rates.
4) Implications for Influencers and Brands
Do Social Media Influencers actually affect consumers?
TikTok: Value Views and Shares, Not Just Followers
On TikTok, gaining followers can be easier because users follow content rather than creators. For a countertop business, this platform offers an opportunity to go viral with creative, visually appealing content—like showcasing transformations, behind-the-scenes footage, or design inspiration. However, don’t get too caught up in follower count; the goal should be to reach as many people as possible and encourage shares, which will spread your content far beyond your immediate audience.
Instagram: Focus on Quality Followers
Instagram rewards brands that build deep relationships with their audience. If your countertop business is looking to cultivate a community of engaged, loyal customers, Instagram is the platform to focus on. Here, the quality of your followers matters more than the quantity. Use Instagram to showcase your work in beautifully staged spaces, share customer testimonials, and build trust with potential clients who see your business as a lifestyle brand they want to invest in.
5) Is Instagram or TikTok More Popular With Countertop Buyers
Instagram vs. TikTok: Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?
When it comes to countertop buyers, the platform where they spend their time can vary depending on their demographic and purchase intent.
Instagram: A Visual Hub for Homeowners and Designers
Instagram is a go-to platform for homeowners and interior designers looking for inspiration for their spaces. The platform’s emphasis on visually appealing content, particularly in home renovation and design, makes it an ideal space for showcasing countertops. Instagram allows you to post high-quality images of completed projects, before-and-after transformations, and design ideas, all of which are crucial for potential customers to visualize how your countertops will look in their own homes. Instagram's "Save" and "Share" features also mean that users often come back to content that resonates with them, making it a strong platform for maintaining ongoing interest and reaching buyers at a more deliberate stage in their decision-making process.
TikTok: Popular for Quick Design Inspiration
TikTok’s user base, while more youthful, has rapidly expanded to include people from all demographics, including homeowners looking for quick design ideas or those considering a renovation. TikTok is ideal for creating short, snappy videos that highlight the features of your countertops in a fun and engaging way. While TikTok may not have the same depth of visual curation that Instagram offers, it is an excellent platform for generating buzz around new trends or promoting countertop designs through viral challenges and hashtags. Since TikTok users engage more casually, it might appeal to buyers in the early stages of their decision process, seeking inspiration or browsing for ideas.
Which Platform Wins?
For countertop buyers, Instagram is likely to be more effective, especially for those serious about making a purchase. The platform’s long-form, aesthetically driven content is ideal for showcasing the craftsmanship and beauty of your countertops. However, TikTok is a great platform for reaching a broader audience and generating quick interest, particularly for a younger crowd who may be in the exploratory phase of remodelling their homes. Both platforms can play an essential role, but Instagram is more likely to capture those who are ready to make a decision.
6) Is It Better to Go Viral on TikTok or Instagram?
Source: Tik Tok
TikTok: The Power of Viral Reach
TikTok is built for virality. Its algorithm allows for rapid content discovery, meaning that videos can go viral with little to no prior follower base. This makes it an attractive platform for businesses, including countertop companies, that want to quickly reach a large and diverse audience. If your video captures the right trend, humor, or unique angle on countertops (like a stunning transformation or a creative DIY project), it can be shared widely, gaining views and engagement far beyond your current followers. TikTok’s focus on discovery through its For You page can help your content reach people who otherwise wouldn’t come across your business, making it an excellent choice for viral marketing.
Instagram: Virality Through Engagement
While Instagram’s algorithm is more focused on your followers and their network, virality can still be achieved through engaging content and leveraging the right hashtags. However, gaining traction on Instagram usually requires a more strategic approach—posting consistently, engaging with followers, and using the platform’s various features, like Reels, Stories, and the Explore page. Unlike TikTok, where virality can happen overnight, Instagram’s virality often depends on maintaining consistent engagement and fostering community, which might take longer but can lead to a more dedicated following over time.
Which Platform Is Better for Going Viral?
If your goal is to create viral content and reach a massive audience quickly, TikTok is the better option. The platform is designed to help content go viral with its focus on trend-driven, discoverable videos. However, Instagram offers a more deliberate approach to building virality, focusing on high-quality content, engagement, and connection with followers. Depending on your strategy, both platforms offer opportunities for viral success, but TikTok is where you’ll likely see the quickest results.
7) Conclusion
TikTok and Instagram may both be visually driven platforms, but they operate in very different ways. TikTok’s strength lies in its ability to capture fleeting attention with quick, fun content, while Instagram excels at fostering long-term relationships through curated lifestyle content.
For a countertop business, both platforms have their value, but the choice depends on your goals. If you’re looking to generate broad awareness and attract a younger, trend-following audience, TikTok may be your best bet. If you want to nurture relationships with a more engaged, loyal following and showcase your countertops in elegant, lifestyle-oriented settings, Instagram is the way to go.
In short, understanding the follower mentality on each platform will help you tailor your content and maximize your marketing efforts. The right strategy will enable your countertop business to connect with potential customers and grow your online presence effectively.