It’s impossible to miss the Stanley cup’s impact in the hands of nearly every South student. 

With its convenient handle, detachable straw, and vast array of colors, it seems like Stanley cups have been the most sought after water bottle this past year.  #StanleyCup has amassed over 6 billion views on the app and is the biggest reason for the cups immense salability, and it’s only one example of TikTok’s profound impact on Generation Z. 

But what distinguishes this water bottle from its competition, and what has triggered this bizarre craze? The answer: TikTok advertising. The Stanley cup’s rise to stardom, usurping its predecessor, the Hydro Flask, was rooted in the app’s influence. As Stanley-Mania takes the world by storm, we can’t help but wonder: how else has Tiktok taken over aspects of Gen Z’s pop culture? 

Tiktok has also masterfully changed how consumers perceive self-care, particularly through its endless sponsorships and partnerships with influencers. For example, influencer Mikayla Nogueira has set the bar for other beauty influencers, and the trends on the latest beauty and skincare products. The major makeup brand Elf collaborated with Noguiera for a limited edition lip liner and lipstick which sold out on the brand’s DTC site within 18 minutes, demonstrating the sheer power of her influence. 

Tiktok dubbed this influence the “Mikayla effect” and it has changed the course for smaller beauty brands as products reviewed and approved by Nogueira instantly become a success. After the influencer left a positive review of a line of lipsticks from CTZN cosmetics, the company’s website traffic increased by 12,348 percent, causing the site to crash.

The release of the Stanley Quencher significantly boosted the company’s revenue, soaring from $75 million in 2019 to a groundbreaking $750 million in 2023. Additionally, Tiktok’s influence has endorsed the The new Valentine’s Day collection, and it has recently incited mobs of people of all ages trying to get their hands on the special edition cups.

While it may seem like a harmless dancing app, Tikok skillfully pushes its influences onto viewers, which becomes nearly impossible to avoid, evident through the Stanley-filled pockets of nearly every South student’s backpack.