On TikTok you can now receive private messages even from those you don’t follow

Just like it already happens on Instagram, also on TikTok it is now possible to send and receive private messages to and from all users of the platform. The very popular Chinese social network, until recently, only allowed the exchange of DMs between followed users. The new feature was already introduced last November as a test for a small group of users, and will now be an integral part of the new app update.

Initially conceived as a specific platform for video content, TikTok has never placed too much attention on messaging features. However, over time, the competition with other social networks has become very fierce, and TikTok has also had to implement tools that allow users to exchange messages.

How private messages on TikTok will change

The news comes from the portal The Information, which reports that TikTok would have sent an email to its users in the United States. In the message, the platform would have announced the progressive expansion of its messaging features. So instead of restricting sending private messages to friends only, TikTok will now allow you to message anyone who is signed up.

At the moment the feature is optionalit means each individual user can decide to limit incoming mail only from their own followers, common followers and recommended friends. In this case, private messages will only be allowed by users who are part of your contact network (through phonebook numbers and Facebook).

Meanwhile, while TikTok aligns with what Instagram proposes, Meta’s platform does exactly the opposite. After pushing video content extensively, introducing Reels to align with TikTok trends, CEO Adam Mosseri said Instagram is “too focused” on video. In fact, Mosseri recalled that Instagram was born as a photographic social network, and will remain so.