TikTok is testing a new feature that allows users to upload 60-minute videos to the platform. During this testing period, the feature is available to a limited group of usersin select markets. TikTok says it has no plans to roll out the feature widely in the near future.
The feature was first spotted by Matt Navarra, and it marks a major shift from TikTok's original form, which was a short-form video app. When it launched, TikTok allowed users to upload 15-second videos and gradually began increasing the length. And while the company has become popular through this approach, it seems to be slowly turning to long-form content to take on one of its biggest competitors: YouTube.
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TikTok has noticed that while there is the ability to combine multiple videos, where creators tell viewers to go to the second part to watch a story, many creators have commented that they want more time for videos like cooking demonstrations, beauty tutorials, comedy content, and more.
The increase in the time limit is intended to give creators the opportunity to experiment with new or expanded types of content. This will put TikTok in even more direct competition with YouTube. Creators will be able to upload videos up to 60 minutes long on TikTok, and the company hopes that creators who usually post their content on YouTube will also post their videos on its own platform.
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The expanded time limit could also allow for a new type of content to be posted on TikTok: entire episodes of TV shows. If 60-minute video uploads become widely available, networks wouldn’t have to split an episode into multiple parts. Many networks often upload the first episode of a TV show to YouTube to attract more viewers. Networks already use TikTok to reach viewers, and the expanded time limit could entice them to share more content on TikTok.
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This move could have significant implications. Content creators on YouTube could see traffic and views theiras users may prefer TikTok's platform for watching longer content.
YouTube creators will need to adjust their strategies to maintain audience engagement, potentially investing more in quality and unique content. Also, increased competition from TikTok may lead to greater pressure to produce more frequent videos.
Source: techcrunch.com
