TikTok Launches Text-Only Posts — Challenging Twitter and Instagram's Threads

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 25 July 2023, 01:07 am

In the past few weeks, we have seen the rise of Meta's Threads, the Instagram app that focuses on a text-centered experience, and now, a new app is joining, and it's TikTok.

From being an exclusively short-form video platform, TikTok is now offering its users to bring their quick thoughts in text posts that will be published on the app.

(Photo : TikTok)

TikTok Is Debuting Text-Only Posts for Creators

TikTok recently announced via its latest post that massive changes will come and will be available to those who want to turn their thoughts into words and publish them on the app.

Under TikTok's Text mode, which recently debuted, it allows creators to publish text posts as it is, without the need to edit them into photos or videos.

It will work like any other text-based app like Twitter or Threads, where users can pull out their phones and use the app to immediately publish what they want their followers to see.

Moreover, these text posts will be more apparent in the FYP (For You Page) and will be distributed based on the algorithm for users. According to CNET, TikTokers could express their thought with as many as 2,200 characters allowed on each post.

TikTok said this is accessible when choosing the Camera option from below (the button pressed whenever uploading or creating a new post) and choosing the "Text" option beside Video or Photo.

TikTok vs. Threads vs. Twitter for Text Posts

TikTok's spin on the text-only feature on its platform clashes with current tech giants like Meta's Threads and X Corp's Twitter that offer the same app features.

Last week saw the massive rivalry between Threads and Twitter, but despite it not dying down, TikTok is joining the trend and offers creators a way to express their thoughts quickly via its app.

TikTok's Massive Shift for its Social App

TikTok has been best known for offering a short-video-centered app for a long time now, and it has been the company's recipe for success alongside its renowned algorithm. However, creators have recently reported significant challenges for the app's AI-driven feed for ranking or promoting their businesses on the platform.

Still, TikTok is regarded as one of the apps that foster growth and support for content creators. It is known for its significant developments in expanding the social media experience of app users.

Last year, the company introduced the "Photo Mode," where users may post photos instead of editing these images into a video for the audience to see. The massive shift from TikTok since its early beginnings to what it offers now only shows that it is still one of the fastest-growing social media platforms in the world.

Another change is coming to TikTok, and instead of mainly focusing on its visual media approach, it is now offering creators a chance to hash out their thoughts via text for quick publishing on the app.