While known for its short-form content, TikTok is testing a new feature that allows creators to upload videos up to 60 minutes long.
The popularity of TikTok’s ultra-short video format has led competitors to mimic its approach, with major rivals like YouTube and Meta offering their own TikTok-like features through YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels.
However, longer-form content still has considerable influence. As such, TikTok is reportedly testing the ability for users to upload 60-minute videos, challenging one of its biggest competitors, YouTube. This development was first spotted by UK-based social media consultant Matt Navarra, who shared a screenshot on Meta Platforms’ Threads.
TikTok also told online media outlet TechCrunch that the new feature is being tested on a selected group of users and that the platform has no immediate plans to make it widely available.
The company stated that the purpose of the extended time limit is to provide creators with the opportunity to experiment with new or expanded types of content, offering them greater flexibility. TikTok mentions that it frequently receives feedback from creators desiring more time for content such as cooking demonstrations, beauty tutorials, educational lesson plans, comedic sketches, and more.
The expanded time limit could also open the door for new types of content to be shared on TikTok, such as full episodes of TV shows.
Moreover, the company has been working to improve the viewing experience for users who enjoy watching long-form content.
This is not the first time TikTok has tested with video lengths. In 2021, the platform expanded video content to up to 3 minutes, a significant increase from the 15-second videos and one-minute clips allowed in 2018. TikTok also tested a 30-minute content format in January 2024.
What happens if the one-hour video experiment becomes a success?
Longer upload limits could transform TikTok into a versatile platform that provides more space for different types of content. This would make it more attractive for creators who specialise in longer-form videos, such as vlogs, tutorials, entertainment shows, or even episodic series, and for advertisers who seek more opportunities to engage with audiences through longer ad formats or product placements within the content itself.
