By Emmanuel Ogbodo
TikTok has unveiled a significant platform update, introducing two key features: group chats and stickers in direct messages.
The new group chat function allows up to 32 users to participate in a single conversation, fostering a shared viewing experience among friends, family, and communities. This feature is restricted to users 16 and older, excluding teens aged 13-15. Users can mute, block, or report individuals or entire chats if necessary.
Complementing the group chats, TikTok has also added stickers to its direct messaging system. Users can create custom stickers using the new TikTok Stickers platform, enhancing the app’s interactive capabilities.
In addition to these changes, TikTok is testing a “Sound Search” feature, similar to Google Lens’ Hum to Search, which aims to help users identify songs by singing, humming, or playing them. The release date for this feature has not yet been announced.
While group chats are more commonly associated with dedicated messaging apps, TikTok’s implementation could provide a unique way for users to share and discuss video content within the platform.
