Best TikTok features that help you personalize your experience on the application
The world belongs to TikTok, we just live in it. TikTok has come a long way from its lip-syncing Musical.ly days to becoming the most coveted social media platform. TikTok offers bite-size entertainment that is highly appreciated in today's fast-paced age. The social media sensation houses a variety of features that are bound to keep you hooked to the app.
Let’s look at a few features offered by the app that you might or might not know about.
Following verses For You videos
One of the most popular customizable features of TikTok is the Following vs For You feature. This feature is located at the top of your TikTok home screen, and you can easily switch between seeing the videos from the people you follow or seeing the videos chosen by TikTok’s algorithm. TikTok’s algorithm tries to select videos that cater to your viewing habits. All you have to do is either tap Following or For You to access the videos you want to watch.
Use a song from another video for your TikToks
TikTok allows you to use songs or voice effects from other videos. If you come across a video that has a song you like tap the spinning disk at the lower right of the screen. Once you tap it, you will be able to see content that has the same song incorporated into it. To use the song for your videos tap Use This Sound present at the bottom of the page.
Create a duet and stitch a video
While scrolling through TikTok you might have come across content that features two videos running side by side, like a collaboration between the creators, this feature of TikTok is called the Duet and Stitch feature. You can easily make such content by taping on the share option, if the content creator allows it, you will come across the Duet and Stitch option. Select that option and record your content to make a Duet and Stitch video.
Protect you privacy
Most of us don't want to make TikTok videos for the whole world to see. We just want to make them to kill time, have fun or share them with our friends and family. If you don’t want to become a TikTok star and want to preserve your privacy, TikTok offers you a couple of privacy options.
Make your account private
Open your TikTok app and tap on Profile at the bottom right. Then select the three-line menu at the top right of the screen. From there select Settings and Privacy and once the menu opens tap on Privacy. Scroll your way to the Make Account Private option and swipe the Private Account button to the right. After enabling this option, you will have to approve follow requests so that strangers can’t access your content.
Keep your account out of search results
You can adjust how much TikTok suggests your account to others. Tap on the Suggest your account to others option and select whatever option suits you.
Find videos that use the same effects
TikTok carries a variety of visual effects, from green screens to facial masks. You can always find fun and interactive effects on TikTok. If you come across a video that uses a visual effect you like, you can find similar videos by tapping on the name of the visual effect that appears on the lower left side of the video.
Tell TikTok your preferences
We can all agree that the TikTok algorithm does an amazing job of selecting videos for you. It efficiently selects the videos of our interest. But if you are a parent and are setting up the account for a young viewer, there are a few things you can do to take matters into your hand.
- First, you can dislike any video on your FYP that you think is inappropriate. This will let the algorithm know about your preferences and will block similar content from your FYP.
- Another TikTok feature that you can use to filter out content is Restricted Mode. This will keep all the inappropriate content at bay. To enable this, go to Profile, from there tap on the three-line menu and select Settings and Privacy. From there scroll to Digital Wellbeing, select Restricted Mode, and tap on the option Turn on Restricted Mode. The app will ask for a password to enable it. Enter the passcode and your restricted mode will be put into action.
Get analytics for your content
It doesn’t matter if you are a content creator or an influencer, there might come a time in your life when you will want to see the number of people watching your videos. You can easily get analytics from TikTok for your videos for free.
Open your app and tap on Profile, from there select the three-line menu located at the top right. Select Settings and Privacy from the pop-up menu. From there tap on the option Manage Account. Once you enter Account Control, switch your account to business, and then you will be able to see analytics for your videos.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to switch to a business account?
No, it doesn’t cost money to switch to a business account. You can easily switch to a business account by going to Settings and Privacy, and from there select Manage Account. In the Account Control menu, switch your account to business.
What is the purpose of TikTok?
TikTok is a way of showcasing your talent in the form of short videos. It gives you a chance to create, edit and share your content with the world.
Does TikTok cost money?
TikTok is a free application, and you can easily download it through the app store.