TikTok has recently unveiled a new photo-sharing app called TikTok Notes. This app, which has been the subject of rumours and speculation for weeks, is now available to Android and iOS users in some regions. At the moment, there is no confirmation of the regions that this feature is available. If it is available in your region, please share it with us in the comment section. This feature is designed to challenge Instagram by offering a dedicated space for sharing still images.
TikTok Notes – A Dedicated Space for Photo Sharing
TikTok Notes is a new contender in the photo-sharing arena, focusing on photo sharing, while the main TikTok app continues to prioritize short videos. The app’s feed features a grid layout, allowing users to preview multiple posts simultaneously. Upon clicking on an individual post, users can view it in full-screen mode and engage with comments. TikTok Notes shares some similarities with Instagram, such as support for photo carousels, chronological and algorithmic feeds, comment controls, and more.
TikTok users have reportedly received a pop-up message when sharing photo posts, stating that their photos will also be shared on TikTok Notes. According to a screenshot shared on Reddit, the pop-up notification reads,
“Your photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes. TikTok Notes, a new app for photo posts, is coming soon! Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes”.
However, users have the option to opt out of this feature. According to Android Authority, this update is present in the Canadian Google Play and Apple App Stores. At the moment, it remains unavailable in the US. This phased rollout is not unexpected, as the app is still in its infancy. TikTok may be seeking user feedback before expanding its reach.
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How to start
Interested users can now sign up for the service using their existing TikTok accounts. To download TikTok Notes on your mobile device, you can visit the official website, which will direct you to the respective app marketplace based on your operating system. Alternatively, you can access the app’s listing directly on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store using the provided links.
TikTok has been working on a ‘dedicated space’ for photos and text, and TikTok Notes appears to be the result of this effort. A company spokesperson told TechCrunch,
“As part of our continued commitment to innovating the TikTok experience, we’re exploring ways to empower our community to create and share their creativity with photos and text in a dedicated space for those formats”.
The website, notes.tiktok.com, is currently live, but the ‘Open App’ button does not work. Instead, it offers a preview of Polaroid-esque photo posts with still photos and text in the open white space, much like Instagram. Mike Proulx, a research director at Forrester, told the BBC that the copycat phenomenon runs rampant across social media platforms. He adds that when these copycat features work well, they can be successful. A good example is when Instagram introduced the ‘Stories’ feature to rival Snapchat. However, there’s no guarantee of success, as seen with Twitter’s failing ‘Fleets’ story feature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, TikTok Notes is a new photo-sharing app by TikTok, designed to challenge Instagram by offering a dedicated space for sharing still images. The app is currently available in select regions and should roll out globally soon. With its focus on photo sharing and a grid layout, TikTok Notes is a fresh photo-sharing platform for select users, offering a dedicated space for photos and text in a dedicated app.
TikTok’s foray into photo-sharing puts it toe to toe with Instagram, the most popular app in this area. By allowing users to easily opt-in to populate the new app with still photos previously posted on TikTok, it can more immediately develop a user base. The potential roll-out of TikTok Notes is yet another example of social media companies cribbing features off one another.