TikTok as an academic tool: a bibliometric review of TikTok research

TikTok has garnered a massive global audience. While concerns about youth safety, data privacy, and misinformation have led to platform bans in several countries, TikTok has significantly contributed to various areas of academic research. The absence of a clear research agenda increases the risk of redundancy and inefficient resource allocation in this growing field. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database, resulting in the inclusion of 1,369 TikTok-related publications. Performance analysis identified key research contributors in the field of TikTok studies. Co-citation analysis revealed four foundational research domains: platformization, user experience, information quality, and algorithmic influence. Thematic mapping identified six emerging research clusters: psychological well-being, public health information, communicative tool, digital marketing, influencer economy, and social commerce. Recognizing the academic potential of TikTok, this bibliometric review offers a structured research agenda to support theoretical advancement and inform evidence-based practices.