Topline
Some TikTok users are posting videos and comments claiming to make money from the platform’s new Snapchat-like streaks feature, but TikTok said this is false and recommended people filter their comments to prevent fraudulent messages from being posted on their videos.
TikTok logo is displayed outside a TikTok office.
Key Facts
TikTok users claiming to make money from TikTok streaks aren’t being truthful: “There is no way to be paid for using Streaks on TikTok,” TikTok told Forbes.
Users are posting videos—some that have garnered hundreds of thousands of views—talking about getting paid amounts like $2,000 from using the TikTok streaks feature.
While it’s unclear where the rumor started, other users have posted videos asking how to get paid from streaks, and the comments are filled with people posting links to what appears to be fraudulent websites promising to offer users money.
TikTok recommended creators filter unwanted words from their comments to prevent people from posting the fraudulent links.
The platform began rolling out its new streaks feature in June, a move that resembles competitor Snapchat’s Snapstreaks, which counts how many consecutive days users have sent photos or videos through the app’s direct message feature.
How Do You Start A Tiktok Streak?
Two people have to send direct messages on the app for more than three days in a row in order for a streak to begin. A streak badge featuring a fire icon and a number indicating how many days the streak has lasted will appear on the chat to confirm the streak has started. Streaks end when both people don’t send a direct message after 24 hours.
How Do You Turn On Tiktok Streaks Notifications?
TikTok nudges people to let them know their streak is about to end or when a streak is started, but these notifications have to be turned on. To turn streaks notifications on, users must click Profile > Settings and privacy > Notifications > Streaks > In-app notifications, then toggle the streaks settings on or off.
Tangent
This wouldn’t be the first time TikTok has added features appearing to mirror its competitors. TikTok announced in May it would begin testing a new 60-minute video feature, a stark difference from the 15-second format it debuted with. This new time limit is comparable to YouTube’s video format. TikTok first began rolling out its stories feature in 2022, which allows users to add pictures and videos to their stories that disappear after 24 hours, similar to Instagram and Snapchat stories. TikTok said in April it was working on a new photos app called TikTok Notes, a move that may allow TikTok to compete with Instagram. Some TikTok users have reported getting a notification after posting pictures to the app informing them their photos will also be posted on a “coming soon” platform called TikTok Notes—with an option to opt-out of the cross-platform sharing.
Further Reading
TikTok Is Testing A New Instagram Rival—Are Photos Making A Comeback? (Forbes)