TikTok has increased the length of their films to 10 minutes, the latest in a series of initiatives over the previous few years to boost video length.
According to CNET, the length of films on the famous social media site has expanded from 15 seconds to one minute, and then to three minutes in July 2021. A corporate spokesman recently discussed the change, stating that it is intended to “add value” to the community and improve overall user experience.
TikTok hopes that the new 10-minute videos will let their producers to “unleash even more creative possibilities.”
According to social media researcher Matt Navarra on Twitter, a few TikTok users received an app notification informing them of the change. But that wasn’t the end of Navarra’s remarks on the subject, as he explained how the shift essentially implies the social media network is now competing with YouTube for its throne:
TikTok creeping in on YouTube territory
I can now upload videos up to 10 minutes long pic.twitter.com/P2Mbf4ygWV
— Matt Navarra (I quit X. Follow me on Threads) (@MattNavarra) February 28, 2022
According to The Verge, this is a new area for a video sharing network that has long been relying on a seemingly never-ending stream of short videos.
TikTok can now compete with YouTube, which is known for its extensive content, with 10-minute-long films. It can now tempt elderly users to utilize the app, potentially increasing their total engagement in the long run.
However, although TikTok has been promoting longer material for several years, other social media sites are promoting shorter content. With the launch of Reels last year, Instagram is possibly the clearest example. Shorts was released by YouTube at the same time.
What’s The Point Of 10-Minute-Long TikTok Videos?
Long-form content, as previously stated, is most likely TikTok’s attempt to compete with YouTube, the undisputed king of longer content. As a result, a discussion is building about whether platform will be better for creators in the long run.
According to an article by ClipChamp, one of the most significant advantages of TikTok is its accessibility. To be able to post compelling material on it, you don’t need to use pricey camera equipment, video sets, or even editing tools. All you need is your phone, yourself, and an idea for content.
TikTok might be described as a platform for non-professional creators who aren’t concerned with production value. And it is for this reason that the platform’s short-form content was so popular in the first place. YouTube, on the other hand, couldn’t be more dissimilar.
The major advantage of YouTube is that you can post incredibly professional-looking videos of virtually any length on it. The site’s early days, when it housed a lot of low-quality home films, are now gone. It’s now a hotbed for producers who are serious about the professional video sharing thing—almost all of the most successful with industry-grade equipment and top-notch production characteristics that appear to surpass mainstream blockbusters.