TikTok has taken social media into a whole new realm. The app has over 689 million users internationally, with the US having over 100 million monthly active users alone. Acquired by ByteDance, a multinational internet company based in China, the app was originally Musical.ly then later transformed into TikTok.
Now, it’s not only Gen Z who have contributed to TikTok’s growth; more millennials and older generations have fallen in love with the app, creating more authentic content and niche audiences.
In this blog, we’ll outline all the latest TikTok updates you need to know.
TikTok plans for new Ecommerce integrations
In this TikTok update, TikTok plans three new Ecommerce integrations to reinvent social shopping and help make collaborations between creators and brands easier.
TikTok has become an advertiser hotspot as more brands find ways to reach TikTok audiences. As TikTok’s massive audience continues to grow, so do partnerships and monetization opportunities.
Here are three planned features for Ecommerce brands:
Shareable product links – If a user shares a link, they could potentially earn a commission on any sales.
Online catalogs – Users can access online product catalogs on the platform.
Livestream shopping – As a user, while you’re watching a TikTik live, you’ll be able to video shop as the creator recommends featured products. Iconic brands like Walmart have collaborated with TikTok to pilot test livestream video shopping.
These features are currently in development and have been tested with brands such as Shopify. TikTok has partnered with Shopify to test Ecommerce features and to run promotions on TikTok feeds.
TikTok’s Creator Portal
TikTok introduced a whole new educational platform dedicated to TikTok content creators. Anyone can follow the Creator Portal and it’s filled with a variety of content strategies, video creation tips, community building, and how to make the TikTok algorithm work for your brand.
They collaborate with TikTok influencers as they share their tips and secrets on how to create content. Here’s @coachmichelle, an ice skating coach on TikTok, teaching her best content strategy:
@creatorportal Does your content strategy need a little boost? Try these 4 tips. @coachmichelle #CreatorPortal #TikTokTutorial ♬ original sound - Creator Portal
Warning banners for unverified information in videos
TikTok has implemented a new warning banner that prohibits users from posting flagged videos that contain unverified information. To limit publishing and sharing misinformation, these banners will appear suggesting “Caution: Video flagged for unverified content” before a creator posts the video.
Since then, TikTok has seen a 24% decrease in the rate at which people shared these videos and a 7% decrease in likes. This will encourage creators to take a second look at their content before sharing.
The First LiDAR-enabled AR effect for iPhone 12
When creating a TikTok strategy for your business, you have to consider using trending sounds and effects. TikTok is constantly looking for new ways to improve content creation on the platform and they are jumping right into augmented reality (AR) technology.
In this TikTok update, TikTok has developed a new AR effect and launched their first LiDAR-enabled AR effect for iPhone 12.
Now, what is LiDAR technology? In a nutshell, if you know how radar and sonar works, then you know the basics of LiDAR technology, which ultimately uses light instead of sound waves. TikTok developers applied LiDAR technology into an AR effect, in which TikTok users can create an ultra-detailed 3D mapping in videos through their phones.
To ring in 2021 we released our first AR effect on the new iPhone 12 Pro, using LiDAR technology which allows us to create effects that interact with your environment - visually bridging the digital and physical worlds. We're excited to develop more innovative effects in 2021! pic.twitter.com/6yFD2FfHta
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) January 6, 2021
New recipe integration
Meet TikTok’s new in-app recipe integration called Whisk! Creators can now add recipes to their cooking TikToks. The recipes are directly connected with the Whisk app, making it easy for food content creators to share their recipes.
The TikTok update allows you to add a button called “See full recipe” above the caption in a video. Here’s an example from the @feelgoodfoodie:
When you press the button, it will lead you to a separate page that contains the creator’s recipe that is connected with their food blog.
Cooking TikToks are filled with quick recipes, trendy food trends (e.g. the infamous quesadilla hack), and famous chefs cooking from their homes. The hashtag #cooking has over 33.3 billion tags on TikTok. Although these videos are short, the new recipe integration will help viewers save their favorite recipes.
Q&A option for fans to post questions for creators
Creators can enable a Q&A section on their TikTok profile, which allows viewers and followers to ask questions directly. Q&As can add a whole new commenting experience and creates more opportunities for followers to get to know more about the creators.
These questions are public and other viewers can like questions. Q&As are very popular with pet influencers such as @merlinragdoll.
The takeaway
Three years ago, most marketers wouldn’t have considered TikTok because most believed that it was only for younger generations, like Gen Z. Today, we see more and more millennials and other generations joining in on the fun as the app grows.
More importantly, there are more marketers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are not only creating meaningful content but engaging with different audiences and generations.
As TikTok grows (and Instagram tries to compete with it), there will be more TikTok updates coming this year. So, stay tuned! Our team will do our best to keep you up to date!
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on socialbakers.com. Any statistics or statements included in this article were current at the time of original publication.
