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Tengrinews.kz – In recent months, users in Kazakhstan have noticed a slowdown in TikTok’s performance. Tengrinews.kz investigated the situation.
TikTok and complaints
TikTok is a social media platform for creating and watching short videos. It is popular among young people, bloggers, and brands. The platform’s recommendation algorithm tailors content to users’ interests. Additionally, TikTok offers various effects, filters, music, and editing tools. The platform is known for viral challenges and emerging trends.
Since early 2025, Kazakhstani users have been periodically complaining about TikTok’s performance. Some have reported that videos load slower than usual.
One active TikTok user, who has around 70,000 followers, noted the slowdown back in early February.
@kamael_aksu ♬ оригинальный звук - Владимир Кириченко
A resident of Kazakhstan also posted a video on the issue in late February, mentioning that TikTok has become a part of daily life for many. She said the slowdown was noticeable throughout the month.
@happy_faceplasma1 Кто знает? #тикток #замедлениетиктока ♬ оригинальный звук - happy_faceplasma1
Another TikTok user questioned why no one was talking about the platform’s slowdown.
@layout.tsx я не понимаю в чем их смысл, но типа ладно 😭🙏
♬ original sound - hoop.demon
Under the post, users actively shared their thoughts:
"I thought only I had it like this", "VPN has become a necessity", "So I wasted 10,000 on the internet today?", "Nothing works for me at all", - people noted in the comments.
Expert opinion
Meanwhile, experienced SMM specialist Nariman Rakhimov, who specializes in TikTok, pointed out that any changes in the platform’s algorithms or restrictions immediately impact reach.
“In early February, TikTok started slowing down: video uploads, moderation, and even regular browsing without a VPN became problematic. Naturally, this affected views—content remained the same, but the numbers dropped,” he said.
The expert believes that due to TikTok’s slowdown, some users switched to alternative platforms. User attention is one of the most valuable resources in the digital world. Social networks compete for the time people spend on their platforms, so any technical issues, slowdowns, or restrictions can lead to a user outflow. If videos load slowly and viewing becomes inconvenient, users lose interest and look for other options.
Part of the audience, facing issues, quickly adapted and switched to alternative formats like Reels and Shorts.
"This is a classic example of how TikTok loses viewers: if content doesn’t appear in the feed on time, users simply switch to other platforms,” added Nariman Rakhimov.
He noted that the situation is now improving: algorithms are once again promoting videos, and their visibility is returning.
What TikTok Says
In early February 2025, as soon as we noticed the issue, we sent a letter to TikTok representatives to find out the cause of the slowdown. Unfortunately, we had to wait almost a month for a response. When we finally received a reply, it was just one short sentence:
"We are looking into this matter," TikTok told us.
Thus, the platform did not answer our key questions:
- Why has TikTok’s performance slowed down in Kazakhstan recently?
- What is causing the slowdown?
- What measures are being taken to resolve the issue?
- Has this affected users in other countries?
Hopefully, we will receive full answers soon.
Pros and cons of TikTok's slowdown
Here are some key points
Pros
- Reduced dependence on the platform – People spend less time on TikTok, which may reduce procrastination and boost productivity.
- Encourages exploring new formats – Bloggers and businesses start exploring other platforms and adapting their content accordingly.
- Growth of alternative platforms – Competitors have the opportunity to attract some of TikTok’s audience.
Cons
- User migration – Some users may prefer alternative platforms.
- Decline in reach and earnings – Many bloggers, users, and channels rely on TikTok for income.
- Dependence on VPNs – Finding workarounds is not always convenient or safe. VPNs work by masking IP addresses and encrypting data, making them inaccessible to those without proper access.
Conclusion
The reason for TikTok’s slowdown remains unclear—it could be due to content regulation, technical failures, or other factors. Tengri Life will continue to monitor the situation.
