TikTok’s looking to drive more engagement in the comment sections of video clips with the addition of three new comment tools that will give viewers more ways to respond to content.
First, TikTok added voice comments, so viewers can leave audio responses to videos.
As shown in this image, viewers will be able to tap a microphone icon in the comment window to record a voice message in response to a clip. The comment will then be displayed with an audio file and a translated text version below it.
TikTok said that voice messages can be up to 60 seconds long.
“Whether you’re laughing at a meme, singing with a creator, or reacting to a sudden plot twist, Voice Comments make it easy to say what you’re feeling — no typing required,” TikTok said.
TikTok’s voice comments are being rolled out globally over the next month to users aged 18 and older.
TikTok is also adding polls in comments as another means to drive responses.
Only the video creator will be able to add a poll, and each poll can include up to five response options.
“As votes come in, creators can track results directly in the comment section, making it easy to see how the conversation is trending in real time,” TikTok said.
Comment Polls are now available to all creators.
TikTok is also adding photo carousel comments and live photo replies, providing more ways to use still images in the app.
Users can add up to nine photos to a comment, and the images will expand to a scrollable carousel when a user taps a visual.
Live photos will let users share active pictures, adding another in-stream response option.
TikTok said that photo comments are now available globally, while photo carousel comments are being rolled out over the next month.
These expanded comment options will provide more in-stream engagement tools, which should help encourage responses to uploaded videos and drive more community-building opportunities.
