Attention Factory: The Story of TikTok & China’s ByteDance

In June 2020, the Government of India decided to ban TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps. At the time, TikTok had over 200 million users in India, some of whom had found massive following and celebrity on the app, and all of whom were dismayed at the news. While TikTok had to give up its largest overseas market, it continued to be one of the fastest growing tech companies in the world.

So, what is it that sets TikTok apart?

How has it succeeded in markets where others have failed?

How does its legendary algorithm work?

What is ByteDance and how much of the Chinese technology space does it control?

Who are the people behind the seemingly simple TikTok app that has taken over the world?

In Attention Factory, Matthew Brennan attempts to answer these questions and more. Drawing on interviews with current and former employees and competitors, together with extensive research, fascinating anecdotes and revealing infographics, Brennan has forged a narrative that is packed with original insight and analysis.

The result is the deeply engaging story of how recommendation engines, content operations and good old China-style growth hacking engineered TikTok’s success. An essential read that will change not only the way we think about Chinese apps and technology but also about the internet as a whole.