• Zak@lemmy.world
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      19 hours ago

      No, but I imagine they can still run profitable ads, and probably more effectively than most websites.

      • DolphinMath@slrpnk.net
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        1 hour ago

        Despite what TikTok might claim, I’m fairly certain they’ve never actually turned a profit. Data collection, and influencing the American was always the point.

        • Zak@lemmy.world
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          9 minutes ago

          Very likely, but I’d be surprised if they couldn’t achieve 80% of that on the web. Targeted surveillance, as they’ve been caught doing to critics before would not work as well.

        • IzzyScissor@lemmy.world
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          1 hour ago

          With that data collection, their algorithm for targeted marketing is on a completely different level. I completely believe they’re profitable.

          Not only do you have knowledge into people who are likely buyers, you can put them into a buying mood right before showing them the ad so they’re primed for it. Then on top of THAT, you don’t have to design, film or edit the ad - you just pay an influencer to do it for you. It makes it faster, easier and cheaper to AstroTurf brand awareness than ever before.

          Relatedly, the only people I know ordering things from Shien or Temu are on TikTok.

      • hamsterkill@lemmy.sdf.org
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        14 hours ago

        Sure, but profit may not be the most important factor for Bytedance here. They say they’re more willing to shut down than negotiate divestment.