This photograph taken in Mulhouse, eastern France on October 19, 2023, shows figurines next to the logo of the social media video-sharing app TikTok reflected in mirrors.
TikTok is testing a new feature that lets users post 15-minute films, a considerable increase in the maximum video length allowed on the popular video-sharing platform.
The Chinese-owned tech firm confirmed this change and said that the service is now being tested with a small group of users in certain areas, according to TechCrunch.
TikTok, formerly known for its short-form video output, has been embracing long-form videos more and more. In February 2022, the platform increased the maximum video duration from three to 10 minutes.
TikTok is Evolving
This TikTok video length extension sought to provide content producers with greater options when distributing different content, including food recipes, beauty tips, instructional resources, and comedy routines.
When a video went beyond the 10-minute mark, its authors would often resort to linking viewers to a "Part 2" video. The new 15-minute upload restriction, however, may eliminate the need for authors to segment their material into various portions, per Business News.
TikTok's journey started with 15-second videos, which then grew to 60 seconds, three minutes, five minutes, and eventually 10 minutes in 2022. TikTok was able to broaden the kinds of content that were offered on the site thanks to this progressive development.
Longer videos give users the chance to contribute more in-depth and interesting information, which ultimately boosts user engagement inside the TikTok app and opens the door for mid-roll advertisements.
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With this change, TikTok will be in direct rivalry with YouTube, a website recognized for its long-form content. TikTok's move into long-form video shows its determination to recruit YouTube producers.
With YouTube releasing shorter material with its "Shorts" option and TikTok adopting longer videos, the lines between the two platforms have blurred in recent years.
Social Media Giants Under Scrutiny
TikTok is making progress toward supporting longer videos, but it's crucial to remember that not all users may welcome this shift. Some users may prefer the shorter clips since TikTok is known for its amusing and brief videos.
Underscoring its dedication to providing a broad content experience, TikTok has released a function that enables users to fast-forward films by holding down the right side of a video.
The latest TikTok development comes as the European Union (EU) opened probes against TikTok and Meta, the parent of Facebook to learn more specifically about the strategies the two social media giants used to stop the spread of "illegal content and disinformation" during the Israel-Hamas war.
According to ABS-CBN News, this is the first official probe under the EU's new digital content regulation. They follow a similar investigation into X, formerly known as Twitter, under the control of Elon Musk.
Recent improvements made by X include the removal of headlines from news items posted by users and the presentation of links as just pictures. Experts have remarked that this action has sparked worries that it would result in less traffic for news websites.
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