TikTok Begins Rolling Out 10-minute Videos To Confusion Of Userbase

In an update on the seemingly constant battle between social media websites to emulate each other, TikTok has unveiled a new feature that will allow users to post videos up to 10 minutes in length.

The move was seen as TikTok trying to encroach on YouTube's space to some, since YouTube is generally seen as a platform for longer videos as opposed to TikTok's niche as a platform for short, curated content. It also follows a July 2021 move to extend the maximum TikTok length from one minute to three minutes.

"We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience,” a TikTok spokesperson said. "Last year, we introduced longer videos, giving our community more time to create and be entertained on TikTok. Today, we’re excited to start rolling out the ability to upload videos that are up to 10 minutes, which we hope would unleash even more creative possibilities for our creators around the world."

The move divided TikTokers, as some felt the app didn't need a 10-minute maximum length for the type of content it serves, while others acknowledged that it would benefit the growing amount of content creators splitting stories into multiple parts to accommodate TikTok's current time limit.

In the first camp, many expressed that they couldn't imagine an audience for 10-minute TikToks, citing reasons such as the platform always being meant for short-form videos.

let’s be honest who’s watching 10 minutes tiktok videos pic.twitter.com/1vZzKVppvr

— zynz👾😈 (@74zynz) February 28, 2022

i don't have a patience to watch 1 minute video and I'm definitely not sitting here watching a fucking 10 minutes long tiktok https://t.co/N5wxUOHKlR

— tony⁷ ✰ (@btspopmp3) March 2, 2022

TikTok is meant to be for short videos. What is the point of tiktok if it’s 10 minutes long tbh. At that point, why not just watch YouTube?

— Sam Is Aro Ace 💙💛 (@samisaroandace) February 28, 2022

literally no one wants to watch a 10 minutes long TIKTOK ??? pic.twitter.com/S6ys8Uci2M

— amanda🐼 (@rydingamanda) March 1, 2022

On the other side, some acknowledged that the extended time would put an end to frustrating "Like for part two" videos, which often feature a creator telling a story and cutting their video off at a crucial point before posting another video continuing the story. These voices, however, appeared to be largely drowned out by those who were not a fan of the move.

I better never hear "like for part two" ever againhttps://t.co/VZeznUkO9M

— Kalhan (@KalhanR) February 28, 2022

@browniebubs #fypシ 10 MINUTE VIDEOS BITVH 👏👏 #foryou #tiktok #algorithm #foryou #birb ♬ original sound – ♡︎Liz♡︎

Overall, the move seems to be yet another play from video sharing apps to attempt to encroach on another's space, as YouTube has recently pushed Shorts and Instagram has pushed Reels in an attempt to compete with TikTok. While admittedly, a 10-minute TikTok has the potential to be informative, there is also the potential that people will simply post the squeaky-voiced Oh no sound on a loop for 10 minutes in the equivalent of a mind-numbing YouTube Poop.