TikTok has published a report claiming the platform generated more than $81 billion in economic value for U.S. businesses, citing its role in jobs, business promotion and learning opportunities. The study, conducted by PF Global on behalf of the app, drew on responses from 11,123 U.S. adults and more than 5,000 U.S. businesses, over half of them small and medium-sized.
How the $81B Figure Was Calculated
PF Global said its GDP calculation relies on estimated business spending on TikTok promotions, based on third-party market data and a revenue-to-GDP ratio weighted across advertiser-facing industries. In effect, the number is an estimate built on other estimates rather than measured contribution data. That doesn’t invalidate the findings, but it adds perspective on what the figure represents.
The report presents TikTok as a vital tool for American businesses. About 69% of surveyed businesses called the app essential, and 83% of those using it said it matters for attracting customers and supporting growth. Meanwhile, 93% reported higher sales from promoting on the platform, 80% said it helped them scale, and 75% have commissioned creators for paid promotions.
Live Shopping and Learning Gains
TikTok Shop averaged nearly 595,000 live shopping sessions per month in the U.S. in 2026, with live-driven sales up 92% year over year. Discovery on the platform also drove an estimated $14 billion in extra spending across tourism, retail and hospitality. The report further estimated 3.6 billion hours of informal learning in 2025, with around 45 million American adults saying the app improved their understanding of career options.
The report appears to continue TikTok’s campaign to stay in the U.S. after years of debate over a possible ban tied to concerns about links to China’s government. With its U.S. arm now sold to a local consortium of business leaders, TikTok looks set to remain, which makes the report seem less necessary. Still, it offers a snapshot of the company’s U.S. presence, even if the math is speculative.