TikTok has rapidly become the go-to platform for short-form video, a widely adopted method of obtaining various forms of entertainment in small, easily consumable chunks. However, it would help if you didn’t assume that the app is straightforward simply because the idea is easy to grasp.
Everyone’s favorite social media video platform conceals a plethora of options. Here are six TikTok features you may not know about, but they can give you a whole new perspective on the app.
Observing videos marked “Following” versus “For You”
If you’re a regular user of the app TikTok, you’re probably already familiar with one of the program’s most potent personalization options: the ability to upload your videos. TikTok’s algorithm attempts to zero in on videos you’ll enjoy based on your watching patterns, and you can choose between films from individuals you follow and videos handpicked by the algorithm at the top of the Home page. Press the Following or For You button to toggle between the two modes.
Look for similar effects in other videos.
Beauty effects, animated backgrounds, and face masks are just a few examples of the hundreds of visual effects available on TikTok. When you see a video with a cool effect, it’s simple to find similar videos. The effect’s name is displayed in the video’s bottom left corner; touch it to see search results for that effect.
Include music from another video in your TikTok
TikTok is all about remixing other people’s work so that you can utilize sounds and music from other videos. Click the little disc that spins to the right of the video player if you want to steal the song from that video and use it on your own. You may find a catalog of videos here that share the same soundtrack. Tap the “Use this sound” button at the page’s footer and include it in your video.
Make a video with a partner using the Stitch or Duet
If you’ve used TikTok for any time, you’ve probably seen videos in which people parody or remark on other users’ videos. Making them is a breeze. Click the Share button to create a Duet or Stitch video (the right arrow). The video’s author may have included a Duet or Stitch button in the accompanying pop-up if the feature is enabled. Just record a video as you normally would, then choose Duet or Stitch to combine the clips.
Control your privacy.
Some have no interest in becoming viral TikTok superstars. You have complete control over who may access your account so that you can produce private videos for close friends and family. Select “Profile” from the bottom right, then “Menu” from the top right to access options. Select Privacy and Settings from the drop-down menu that appears. Choose Privacy. Two major toggles may be seen below:
Set the account to private. To activate your private profile, swipe the switch to the right. Now, before strangers may view your videos, you must first accept their follow.
Keep your account out of search results. You can still exercise some command over your privacy even if you don’t set your account to “private” status. If you want to increase or decrease the amount that TikTok recommends your account to friends and contacts, you may do so by clicking the appropriate buttons.
Inform TikTok about the videos you dislike.
Most users feel that TikTok does a fantastic job of analyzing your viewing habits to provide you with more of the kind of videos you like. But if you’re concerned about what kinds of videos could be inappropriate for a younger audience, you can take things into your own hands.
For example, if you see a video you don’t like on the For You Page of the TikTok app, you may “dislike” it by touching and holding on to the video until a menu opens, then clicking Not interested. By telling the app you don’t want to watch similar videos, you may help it cater to your interests better and show just the content you’re interested in.
