Why does TikTok need to change its avatar?
Recently, Douyin officials suddenly changed its iconic musical note avatar, triggering heated discussions across the Internet. As one of the most popular short video platforms in the world, every action of Douyin touches the hearts of hundreds of millions of users. So, why does Douyin change its avatar at this time? This article will start from the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to reveal the reasons behind this change.
1. Analysis of hot topics on the entire network in the past 10 days

In order to better understand the background of Douyin’s avatar change, let’s first take a look at the hot topics and hot content on the entire network in the past 10 days:
| Ranking | hot topics | heat index | Main platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Change avatar on Douyin | 9,800,000 | Weibo, Douyin, Zhihu |
| 2 | Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday travel | 8,500,000 | Xiaohongshu, Weibo |
| 3 | iPhone 15 on sale | 7,200,000 | Weibo, Bilibili |
| 4 | Hangzhou Asian Games | 6,900,000 | Douyin, Weibo |
| 5 | Celebrity Divorce Troubles | 5,600,000 | Weibo, Douban |
As can be seen from the table, the topic of changing avatars on Douyin tops the list, far exceeding other popular events, which shows its great influence.
2. Specific changes in Douyin avatar replacement
Compared with the old version, Douyin’s new avatar has the following main changes:
| Comparative item | Old version avatar | New version of avatar |
|---|---|---|
| main color | Black background + white notes | Gradient blue background + white musical notes |
| musical note design | More three-dimensional | flatter |
| overall style | Strong sense of technology | Younger and livelier |
From the perspective of design style, the new version of the avatar is more in line with the current aesthetic trend of young people, and the flat design is also more modern.
3. Analysis of the three major reasons why Douyin changes avatars
1. Brand upgrade strategy
As Douyin's user base continues to expand, the platform needs to constantly update its image to stay fresh. This avatar change is part of Douyin's brand upgrade strategy, aiming to convey the brand concept of "continuous innovation" to users.
2. Cater to the preferences of young users
Data shows that Douyin users born in the 1990s and 2000s account for more than 70%. The gradient blue tone of the new avatar is more in line with the aesthetic preferences of young users, helping to enhance the platform’s affinity.
3. Need for international layout
The international version of TikTok has performed well in the global market. This change of avatar may be to further unify the domestic and foreign brand image and pave the way for globalization strategy. Gradient blue designs are well accepted in different cultures.
4. Users’ reaction to new avatars
Based on user feedback on social media, we can categorize reactions into the following categories:
| reaction type | Proportion | Typical comments |
|---|---|---|
| actively support | 45% | "The new avatar is more energetic, I like the blue color!" |
| Neutral wait and see | 30% | "Not much change, just get used to it" |
| Passive opposition | 25% | "I still like the old version, the new avatar is too ordinary" |
Judging from the data, most users have a positive or neutral attitude towards the new avatar, which has laid a good user base for Douyin's brand update.
5. Expert opinions
Professor Li, a brand marketing expert, said: "Douyin's avatar change is a well-thought-out decision. The choice of gradient blue not only retains brand recognition, but also injects new vitality. In the era of social media, timely brand updates are an important means to maintain competitiveness."
Ms. Wang, a veteran in the design industry, believes: "Flat design is the general trend. Douyin's new avatar is more in line with modern design aesthetics and is easier to present clearly on screens of different sizes."
6. Conclusion
Douyin's change of avatar may seem like a small change, but it actually reflects the platform's strategic thinking and brand positioning adjustments. In this era of attention economy, every detail of a brand image may affect users’ choices. Douyin's initiative to seek change this time demonstrates its determination to maintain its leading position in the market. In the future, we may see more marketing campaigns and product updates based on new avatars, so let’s wait and see.
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