Is text-based social media bound to become the next major trend, overshadowing short-form video?
In what appears to be a reaction to the launch of Instagram’s Threads and the discussions surrounding X (formerly known as Twitter), TikTok has recently introduced text posts.
TikTok, in their latest blog post unveiling the new feature, mentions:
With text posts, we’re expanding the boundaries of content creation for everyone on TikTok, giving the written creativity we’ve seen in comments, captions, and videos a dedicated space to shine.
This empowers the creators and the community with inventive tools that foster self-expression.
The text-only function permits users to share content with a limit of up to 1,000 characters per post. Each text post allows customization with stickers, sounds, and colored backgrounds.
How To Create a Text Post on TikTok?
Upon accessing the Camera page, you will encounter three options: photo, video, and text. Opting for text will navigate you to the text creation page, enabling you to input the content of your post.
When reaching the Post page, you’ll encounter familiar options to personalize your content. These include incorporating Sound, tagging a location, enabling comments, and allowing Duets, among others. These attributes ensure that your text posts possess the same dynamism and interactivity as any video or photo post.
Text Posts: Response To Other Platforms?
TikTok has a history of introducing new features in response to other platforms.
Back in October 2022, TikTok debuted “photo mode,” reminiscent of Instagram’s carousels, and the now-defunct TikTok Now emerged following the surge in popularity of BeReal.
Although resembling features seen in Threads or X, TikTok’s text posts diverge in purpose. Unlike posts on those platforms, TikTok’s text posts aren’t primarily aimed at fostering discussions.
Rather, these posts resemble text-based Instagram stories on the platform, operating similarly to a standard TikTok photo or video post. While conversation may occur within comments, the primary focus remains on the original post’s content.
What do you think of TikTok’s new addition, Text Post? Do you plan on using it or do you think it’s just another copycat feature? Leave a comment below!