Dad's app nets millions of downloads after daughter's heartwarming TikTok video goes viral

A Maryland dad's little-known marine navigation app topped the charts after his daughter posted a heartwarming, 12-second TikTok video asking viewers to help.

"There wasn't really a plan," Argo founder Jeff Foulk said in a video posted on CNN Business. "I didn't even know Megan was going to take the video."

Megan Foulk's short TikTok video shows her bespectacled father at a Chicago boat show. There, Jeff Foulk is seen attempting to pass out flyers promoting his app as disinterested attendees pass him by. Text accompanying the video says, "[H]elp blow up my dads boating app, he's worked so hard on it and just wants people to try it out."

Viewers took Megan's request to heart.

After the TikTok video went viral, Foulk saw millions of downloads of the app, which offers both free and paid versions. The original video amassed more than 20 million views, WBAL reported. On @argonavigation's account, the video amassed 3.2 million views and over 50,000 comments, the bulk of which are supportive and kind.

One commenter, "g" says, "Suddenly I'm downloading a boating app without a boat."

Commenter Artist Mariam Paré said, "This is so sweet. I never comment. But I always want to support hard-working people and loving families!"

"I feel like a lot of people overlook social media as a really great tool, especially TikTok. Like, TikTok, the people on TikTok want to help each other out," Megan Foulk told WBAL TV 11.

"I'm really glad I could help him with his app. He works really, really hard on it. You can tell it's a passion because it's always on his mind," Megan Foulk said in a video posted on CNN Business.

After the video, Argo hit number one among navigation apps in the app store, WBAL also reported.

"It crashed the app for a little while," Jeff Foulk told the outlet. "I told my developer, 'I thought we were ready for this?' And, they said, 'Yeah, we were ready for the boating season. We were not ready for TikTok and a couple of million people jumping on the app.'"

Chinese-owned TikTok has been roundly criticized for the mental health-related harm it can cause young users. In addition, government entities have banned the app over data privacy concerns. But in this case, it is easy to see that the controversial, video-based social media platform can also be used for good.

By Friday, in Apple's app store, Argo boasted 5 of 5 stars, 19,000 ratings, and is ranked #12 in the navigation category charts.

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