TikTok, the China-based short-form video hosting service has released a text-only update. The social media app launched the update on July 24, 2023. The company stated in a TikTok Newsroom post detailing the change that text posts will allow users to express their creativity.
In its announcement, TikTok said, “Today we’re thrilled to announce the expansion of text posts on the platform, a new format for creating text-based content that broadens the options for creators to share their ideas and express their creativity. With text posts, we’re expanding the boundaries of content creation for everyone on TikTok, giving the written creativity we’ve seen in comments, captions, and videos a dedicated space to shine.”
Contrary to popular belief, it is not attempting to replicate Meta‘s launch of Threads as a new microblogging platform. Instead, because of their emphasis on images, text posts on the social media platform appear to be influenced by Instagram Stories.
There are many features available for text posts on TikTok, including the ability to add sounds, background colours, stickers, and tags or hashtags. These text post features, according to TikTok, make this kind of content as “dynamic and interactive as any video or photo post.” You’ll even be able to allow users to post TikTok Duets with your text posts.
By choosing the text option under the camera tab in the app, you can access the text post feature. This option appears alongside the video and photo post options.
TikTok has a Stories feature that lets you post updates that disappear after 24 hours. But the design of text posts on TikTok can’t help but remind you of Instagram Stories.
With the new invention, users will be able to embellish their 1,000-word posts with coloured backgrounds and stickers. Variety compared the function to Instagram, where posts can only be commented on rather than facilitating a conversation.
“We’re always looking to empower our creators and community with innovative tools that inspire self-expression,” the video-sharing platform said.
“With text posts, we’re expanding the boundaries of content creation for everyone on TikTok, giving the written creativity we’ve seen in comments, captions, and videos a dedicated space to shine.
“Creators have been able to make content on TikTok across a variety of formats — from LIVE videos to photos, Duets to Stitch. Text is the latest addition to options for content creation, allowing creators to share their stories, poems, recipes, and other written content on TikTok—giving creators another way to express themselves and making it even easier to create.”
