TikTok to begin trials for new 15-minute videos

Social media platform TikTok will be starting a trial phase of 15-minute video uploads, according to reports from TechCrunch.

TikTok has firmly cemented itself as the premier social media platform for short-form content, with the vast majority of videos being uploaded to the app being shorter than a minute.

This has done wonders for the site and its ability to rapidly produce content, and it’s a big part of how TikTok was able to grow so quickly, especially over the pandemic.

However, it now looks like TikTok has plans to introduce features that would allow for more flexibility when creating content for the site, like making videos significantly longer than they’ve been previously, all the way up to 15 minutes.

TikTok outlines plans to expand into long-form video content

The social media titan revealed the new approach, which would increase the video limit from 10 minutes to 15, which means creators will no longer be forced to split videos between two uploads.

It’s unclear how successful the trial will be, seeing as the average engagement time for a single TikTok is extremely low. Still, the change may appeal to certain viewers, and any additional watch time is good news for TikTok.

The trial marks another significant development in the rivalry between TikTok and YouTube, the largest video content sites in the world, both of which have made encroachments on the others’ territory.

YouTube shorts took clear inspiration from TikTok’s short, vertical formatting, while TikTok’s expanded video length and support for individual creators is a page right out of YouTube’s book.

Only time will tell if the new feature manages to stick, but whatever happens, it looks like TikTok has no intentions of slowing down its expansion.

For more news and updates on TikTok’s latest videos, check out our guide to the Beckham test trend.