TikTok now allows users to give credit to other creators in the description of new videos, and the feature is likely to provide original creators more recognition for their art. The social media and entertainment platform is a popular source for short-form content and includes original works, like choreography and composition. Though the many videos on the social media application become an inspiration for new content, the original works aren't always credited. That gives the more prominent TikTok users all of the fame and fortune that can come with a viral video and leave original creators empty-handed. However, a new feature implores users to credit videos that inspire them.
It may come as a surprise that this feature wasn't always a part of the TikTok experience since the interpolation of videos is so commonplace on the platform. It's evidenced by the Duet feature, which separates TikTok from other major social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. The ability to 'Duet' content, which allows users to add to existing video content, makes it easy for people to provide their take on pre-existing videos. It also serves as a way to credit creators — when a video includes a Duet, there is a link back to the original video in the description. However, there's now a better way to credit videos, and users can add it without a Duet.
TikTok added the ability to tag specific videos in the descriptions of new videos in May 2022 to give credit to creators, according to a company press release. Previously, users could add hashtags in the descriptions of videos, which connected content that shared similar themes. They could also tag specific profiles in the descriptions of videos, which is still a common way to give credit to inspirational content. It's now possible to tag a video directly in a description without using a Duet or tagging an individual profile. If a user has liked, favorited, or created a video — or used the same sound as a video — it will appear as an option to tag in the description of a new video.
How & Why You Should Credit Creators
It's easy to give credit to a video by adding it as a tag in a video description and follows a similar process to the other types of TikTok tags. Start by creating or editing a TikTok and navigate to the 'Post' page. Directly underneath the 'Description' box, there will be a 'Videos' button beside the 'Hashtags' and 'Mentions' options. A new page will open that displays the available videos to be embedded in the description. Videos that have been liked, favorited, or created by the user — or used the same sound as a video — can be added. Tap the video that will be listed in the description, and the new TikTok is ready to be posted.
The feature is a welcome addition to a platform built upon its interconnected network of creators. People should credit videos that have inspired their content because a significant amount of time and effort can be placed into making an original video, especially one that contains choreography or composition. So it's only fair that TikTok users are credited for their work, and with how easy it is to tag videos in the description of videos, there's no reason not to give credit where it is due. Especially as the company begins to compensate creators that add value to the platform fairly, tags are the perfect way to show appreciation for an inspirational creator.
Source: TikTok