TikTok is reportedly testing the option to upload videos with a duration of 60 minutes. Of course this will be directly challenging YouTube and streaming platforms in the battle for online content.
TikTok gives users several options to upload 60-minute videos to the platform. That could be a problem for YouTube and the streaming giants.
This pilot project was first discovered by Matt Navarra. TikTok has also confirmed this feature to TechCrunchThursday, May 16, 2024.
It is not yet clear in which regions this update is available, when it will be accessible to more users. According to TechCrunch, TikTok will not be rolling out this option anytime soon. Even if it launches later, the process will be carried out in stages.
The Chinese-owned social media platform is making updates to expand its product offerings due to slowing user growth. When it first launched, the platform only allowed content creators to post videos during 60 seconds.
The limit is now 10 minutes for all users, and 15 minutes for some content creators. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have comparable upload durations.
This trial puts TikTok in the same class as YouTube. This will allow content creators to upload videos that require longer duration, such as in-depth tutorials or family and college vlogs, which are popular on YouTube.
TikTok itself is currently still ahead of YouTube in terms of viewing duration. Last year eMarketer predicted that by 2024, adult TikTok users would watch an average of 55 minutes per day on the platform, five minutes more than YouTube’s average.
Longer video features could also threaten streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. The reason is that users make TikTok an archive platform that stores them short video unofficial film trailers on streaming services.
Users also watch marathons to see the event until the end. Access to older videos of the event may make this activity more common.
Television networks are also taking advantage of TikTok. Last year, streaming platform Peacock uploaded the pilot episode of its comedy show “Killing It” to TikTok. The episode, uploaded in five parts, racked up millions of views.
Longer video lengths will allow each episode to be uploaded at a time, and viewers will likely switch from streaming services to TikTok.
The Indonesian version of this article can be read in Gadgetdiva.ID
