TikTok Test Sees Snap-Like Stories Widely Rolled Out
Last year, Snapchat-style stories were being tested on everyone’s favourite video platform. This TikTok test is now being expanded.
Back in August 2021, TikTok revealed it had begun testing TikTok stories. Based off the original stories feature from Snapchat, which have since been largely popularised by Instagram too, TikTok is introducing its own vanishing clips feature.
Generally, stories are images or videos that are not posted to your main feed, and disappear after 24 hours. In this case, stories are made up of videos only. Just like Instagram, stories can be navigated to by clicking on a TikTok user’s profile picture. It also seems that stories are appearing on the For You page. Whether this will be a permanent aspect of stories or just part of the TikTok test process remains to be seen.
Speaking to TechCrunch about the experiment, TikTok said, “Currently, we’re expanding a pilot test, which provides creators with additional formats to bring their creative ideas to life for the TikTok community.”
Previously, the test was made available to only a small handful of creators. There were few details around the new feature and how the experiment would work last year. Now, TikTok has shared the news that more creators will have the stories feature opened to them.
Adding a video to stories on TikTok works just like shooting a regular TikTok content. Users can add effects, filters, text, and edit video. The main difference is that these videos will not live permanently on their feed.
Where TikTok stories currently differs from platforms like Snapchat and Instagram is the lack of scrollable stories bar. It’s not possible to view all the stories on users you follow’s profiles, skipping from user to user as you view. So far, you can only view stories by visiting someone’s profile. This may be something that TikTok looks to incorporate in the future.
If you are part of the extended group now included in this TikTok test, you’ll see a new banner when you launch the app. This will encourage you to create a story.