TikTok vs. YouTube - What Are the Differences Between Explainer Videos on Both Platforms?

#ShortVideoEducation TikTok vs. YouTube: What Are the Differences Between Explanatory Videos on Both Platforms?

On March 19, 2026, Prof. Dr. Karsten D. Wolf from the ZeMKI Lab for Media & Education presented at the #TikTokTalks hosted by the Center for Research on Educational Professions and Organizations (ZeBO Hagen).

The presentation offered a comparative look at TikTok and YouTube as platforms for explanatory videos. Using selected short- and long-form formats, it examined how didactic presentation, subject-matter depth, and cinematic design differ. At the heart of this research project is the question of to what extent platform logics—such as algorithms, interfaces, and usage contexts—shape the transmission of knowledge, or whether producers pursue consistent strategies across platforms. The presentation thus provides a media-didactic impetus for research into informal online learning.

(see event link)