Quizzes and tests have always been popular online, whether they allow you to take trivia challenges or (supposedly) evaluate your personality. They’re one of the most common ways that marketers attract clicks on websites and social media platforms.
One test that took TikTok by storm in 2021 and 2022 is still being discussed by TikTok users today. It was a personality test created by a Korean company and posted on their website, ktestone.com; TikTok users flocked to the site and reported their results to their friends and followers. (The test is still there today, but you’ll have to scroll the site forever to find it.)
The test (also known as “My Color Test”) is comprised of a dozen simple questions, and users’ answers are evaluated by an algorithm. They’re then told what color best describes their personality, and provided with a detailed description of the psychological traits the test uncovered.
People across the app were captivated by the test and their evaluations. Millions of TikTok videos discussed the test, its validity, and the results it produced, while many users actually formed communities with others who had turned out to be “the same color” that they were.
That’s all good, harmless fun, but one question still lingers today: are the results of the TikTok color test valid?
The Basis of the TikTok Color Test
Color analysis isn’t a 21st-century phenomenon.
For decades, people (mostly women) have tried to determine their “color palette,” the colors that theoretically show off their skin color and features to their best advantage. Many consult highly-paid consultants or analysts who determine whether they’re a “winter,” “spring,” “summer,” or “fall,” and suggest the makeup and wardrobe colors most flattering for their appearance.
Rudimentary “color tests” like that have proliferated on TikTok and elsewhere online for many years. They’re generally considered somewhat valuable if produced or run by professionals.
We’re discussing personality color tests here, though. Scientific experts say most quizzes purporting to determine psychological traits based on “colors” are best used to trigger fun conversation rather than draw serious conclusions. The experts say that standard personality tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) have been proven; color tests have not.
Here’s the interesting thing, though. The color test posted on ktestone.com and turned into a viral sensation on TikTok is said by its creators to be linked to the MBTI scale, giving it at least the veneer of authenticity — and the ktestone.com test results give users links to pages that describe their “MBTI personality.”
No scientist has vouched for the TikTok color test, but hundreds of thousands of users who’ve taken it swear the results they received were uncannily accurate. At the very least, this TikTok trend does just what it’s supposed to: get the app watching, posting, and engaging.
And it’s fun!
About the Author
Peter Hasselworth is a contributor at iDigic, sharing valuable insights about Instagram growth and social media marketing strategies.