tips for viewers and creators

TikTok is one of the most popular video apps in the App Store, but it can be quite overwhelming. In our TikTok beginner’s guide, we’ll get you started.

TikTok beginner’s guide

TikTok is one of the most popular video apps in the App Store, but it can be tricky to understand. The app can be used in two ways. You can watch videos for hours without having to register, or you can start making videos yourself. In both categories we explain what you can do in the app and how it should be done.

Also read: 6 reasons why you shouldn’t ignore TikTok video app

What is TikTok?

TikTok used to be known as Musical.ly. The focus in the app was mainly on teenage girls who mimic and dance to music. The idea is that you don’t have to use your own sound to make a video. The audio can consist of well-known music, but also the sound of a video that someone else is making.

The app like TikTok is now much more interesting. The focus is more on humor, through funny short videos reminiscent of the beloved Vine. Many memes you find on other social media start on TikTok. It is also a place where a lot of people simply give a glimpse into their lives.

Watch TikTok

Watching TikTok couldn’t be easier. Open the app and you will be taken directly to the For you page. Here an endless collection of videos is shown that have been selected by means of an algorithm. This is a combination of popular videos and videos from your region.

You can watch these videos without having to register. You swipe up to go to the next video. Tap the head on the right to see all videos from that specific tiktokker.

If you like the sound of a video and want to see what others have done with it, tap the audio at the bottom left to find a collection of videos that use the same sound.

Why registering is also smart for viewers

Still, it pays to register yourself, even if you only watch and don’t want to make videos. For example, it is nice to block people, if you find someone annoying but still come across on the For you page.

It is also possible to follow people so that you never have to miss a video from your favorite Tiktokker. And you can only watch live videos with an account.

Adjust the algorithm to your liking

TikTok’s algorithm ensures that you see more videos of things that the app thinks you like. When creating an account, you will immediately be asked which themes you find interesting, such as travel, pets or sports. However, most of the information TikTok learns through the way you use the app.

The algorithm learns from every action you take. If you watch a video completely, the app will try to show such videos more often. Swipe your videos quickly, then you will see less of them. The app also looks at who you follow, what you respond to, whether you like something and so on. Are you really not interested in any kind of videos? Then you press long on the video with your finger and choose ‘Not interested’.

Create TikToks

To make videos yourself, you have to go to the middle button at the bottom. This button has a big plus.

The first choice is whether you use existing images or new images. If you have already filmed, press ‘upload’ at the bottom right. If you make a video yourself, you use the large red record button. Under this button you can choose whether you want to make short segments of fifteen seconds or an entire video of sixty seconds. You can record by pressing the button, or by tapping ‘Timer’ and then ‘Start counting down’. With the second option you can first stand in the right position.

Audio and effects

The main part of TikTok is adding audio. You can do this by tapping the audio at the bottom when watching a video and then tapping the large ‘Use sound’ button. Or you can choose ‘Add sound’ in the recording screen at the top.

• Effects: Effects are very important to TikTok because this way you can add a lot of creativity to your videos. To do so, tap ‘Effects’ at the bottom left and scroll through the options.
• Beauty: With this button you indicate whether you want a beauty filter to be placed over your face. This mainly means that your skin looks smoother with fewer imperfections.
• Filters: With this you put a filter over your images, just like you are used to with Instagram.

If you press the check mark, your video will not be published immediately. In the next screen you get the option to filter out your own sound by dragging the slider at ‘Original sound’ to the left at ‘Volume’. You can also add text, stickers, filters and other effects there.

Duet

An important part of TikTok are duets. That means you create a video in response to another video, which will then be played side by side. To make a duet, press the ‘Share’ button while watching a video and choose ‘Duet’. The video maker must allow it to make a duet. Therefore, this function does not always work.

Delete TikTok account

Are you completely done with TikTok? Then it is possible to delete your account. In the video below we explain how to do that in five steps.

External editor

While the TikTok editor itself is fine for most videos, many TikTokker uses an external editor to go one step further and have more control over timing and other elements. So don’t be frustrated if you don’t achieve the same quality as others. Check out these iOS video editing apps to take the next step yourself. Also read about 4 TikTok alternatives for your iPhone.