TikTok and Politics: A Bibliometric Mapping of Research Trends

Abstract

TikTok has evolved from an entertainment platform into a key space for political communication, campaign strategies, and voter engagement. This study uses bibliometric analysis to map research trends on TikTok’s role in politics, elections, and digital activism. By analyzing 149 articles from Scopus and Google Scholar using VOSviewer, we found a significant increase in publications since 2020, mainly related to political campaigns, disinformation, influencer marketing, and artificial intelligence. The analysis identified nine major research clusters, including political mobilization, campaign misinformation, and personalization of political messages through algorithms. TikTok has also become important in Southeast Asian politics, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. Beyond formal campaigns, the platform serves as a space for youth activism and issue-based mobilization. The use of artificial intelligence in political communication raises concerns about algorithmic bias, content moderation, and digital ethics, warranting further research. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the TikTok-and-politics research landscape and proposes further exploration of geopolitical implications, regulations, and long-term impacts on democracy.