Social Media, Communities, & Networks Conference 2026: Semester 1 & SP1

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One response to “Fan Culture on TikTok: Swifties as Networked Communities – Darci Gilmour”

1. 

   aksah.mathew

   01/05/2026

   Hi Darci, I really enjoyed your presentation and found your topic really engaging. I especially liked the section where you discussed Taylor Swift’s easter eggs and how fans use them to form stronger connections with one another. I thought that was a really interesting example of how shared participation can help build community online!

   Here are my questions:

   Question 1:
   You focus on TikTok as a space for community building for Swifties. How do you think fandom experience might differ on other platforms like Instagram or X, where platform affordances shape interaction, visibility and communication in different ways? You mention how TikTok seems to heavily rely on trends and its algorithm, while other platforms may encourage more direct interactions and ongoing discussions. Do you think the sense of community would feel stronger, weaker or simply just different across these platforms?

   Question 2:
   TikTok communities often form based around fast-moving trends and the constant circulation of content. Do you think a fandom like the Swiftie community built in an environment like TikTok is sustainable over time? Or does it require continuous new content and interaction to remain visible and connected?

   Question 3:
   Your presentation shows that many Swifties express belonging through trends, shared sounds and visible participation. Do you think TikTok encourages users to perform fandom publicly in order to feel included, and how might this shape what community looks like online compared with more private or relationship-based forms of fandom?

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