TikTok tops the list of global app downloads, shaking Facebook's dominance

Mobile data and analytics company App Annie revealed that TikTok beat three Facebook-owned apps to top the global app download list from January to the end of November this year, despite the so-called "security concerns" of the United States.

The analyst firm said in a report that TikTok climbed three spots from the same period in 2019 and expects the service to reach 1 billion monthly active users in 2021.

App Annie explains that TikTok has gained favor by “blurring” the lines between social and streaming apps.

Globally, app downloads on iOS and Google Play are expected to reach 130 billion by the end of 2020, up from 120 billion in 2019. The company believes this is largely due to increased demand for digital products during the pandemic.

Overall spending is expected to grow 25% year-over-year to $112 billion, a significant increase from the 15% annual growth recorded in 2019.

Lexi Sydow, senior insights manager at App Annie, predicts that in 2021, the market will "see continued growth in home mobile services," especially as countries deal with the pandemic before "an effective vaccine" is available.