TikTok Tests 15-Minute Video Uploads with Select User Group
TikTok is extending the duration of its videos. There are tests underway to enable users to upload 15-minute videos, as reported by Tech Crunch. This new upload limit is presently in the trial phase, restricted to specific regions and a select group of users. This test increases the video upload cap on the app from 10 to 15 minutes.
The alteration was initially observed by social media expert Matt Navarra on Threads. He shared a screenshot of the message shown to users with access to this new feature. According to the screenshot, users can now share lengthier videos on TikTok, both through the TikTok app and the desktop platform.
The social media platform became a go-to for short-form videos and content, but it has gradually been embracing long-form content. In February 2022, the company raised its maximum video length from three minutes to ten minutes. Prior to that, the limit was a mere 60 seconds, having initially started at 15 seconds.
This shift places TikTok in direct competition with YouTube, suggesting its intention to attract creators of longer-form videos, who typically publish content on YouTube. Traditionally, TikTok was known for short-form content, while YouTube was the preferred platform for longer videos. In recent years, these boundaries have blurred as TikTok welcomes longer videos, and YouTube incorporates shorter ones through Shorts. It’s worth mentioning that TikTok is also testing a horizontal full-screen mode in select regions, further encroaching on YouTube’s territory.
Interestingly, not everyone welcomes the extended video duration. TikTok’s reputation is built on short, entertaining videos, which is what many users visit the platform for, rather than longer content. TikTok seems to acknowledge this, as it recently introduced a feature that allows users to fast-forward videos by pressing and holding the right side of a video.
Reactions to the 15-minute videos on TikTok
In response to Navarra’s post, several users shared their opinions on the tested feature. One person expressed, “i already never finish a video because now everyone rambles [for] ten minutes. it’s like watching podcasts. Exhausting.” Another supporter of TikTok content creators argued, “If they want longer videos they need to pay more to creators. TikTok’s AdSense is ridiculous.” Additionally, someone pointed out how the social media platform appears to be losing its unique identity, stating, “Tangentially related to this, I was surprised to see TikTok available on my Fire Stick. Very odd to watch it on our big TV. It probably doesn’t even count as a ‘take’ to say they’re gunning for YouTube.”
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