TikTok is expanding its direct messaging capabilities, allowing users to share voice notes, images, and videos within chats, the company announced today, August 30, 2024 at 20:15:48 UTC. The update brings TikTok closer in line with established messaging platforms like snapchat and Messenger, and signals a continued effort to foster deeper connections among its user base.
The move arrives as TikTok strives to become a more extensive social platform, moving beyond short-form video. While voice notes will be limited to one minute in length,users can send up to nine images or videos in a single message. This expanded functionality impacts TikTok’s over one billion active users globally, particularly those who rely on the platform for personal communication alongside content consumption. tiktok’s messaging features have historically lagged behind competitors, and this update represents a meaningful step toward parity, potentially increasing user engagement and time spent within the app.
However, TikTok is implementing several safety measures alongside the new features. Users will be prohibited from sending an image or video as the initial message in a conversation. Existing rules requiring users to be at least 16 years old to access messaging will remain in effect. Furthermore, users 18 and older can now control whether TikTok automatically detects and blocks images containing nudity in chats with users aged 16-18.
TikTok previously introduced group chats supporting up to 32 participants in 2023, and in April 2024, rolled out “Footnotes,” a feature mirroring X’s (formerly Twitter) Community Notes, allowing users to add contextual details to videos. These additions demonstrate TikTok’s ongoing strategy of adopting features from rival platforms while tailoring them to its unique surroundings.