TikTok transforms comments with audio, polls and new photo options

TikTok wants to turn comments on its videos into more than just a space for written reactions. The platform has announced new tools that allow users to interact through voice messages, polls, photo carousels and photos taken in real time, with the aim of encouraging more dynamic conversations among users.

The company says that more than 1.7 billion comments are posted on TikTok every day. Until now, in addition to text, users could also use photos and video 'stickers', but the new features significantly expand the ways in which people can participate in conversations surrounding a post.

One of the most notable additions is the ability to use voice. Users will be able to record and post audio messages of up to 60 seconds directly from the comments section by tapping the microphone icon. Once published, these messages can be played by other participants.

TikTok plans to begin the global rollout of voice comments over the next month. The feature will only be available to accounts belonging to users aged 18 and over.

POLLS TO ENGAGE WITH THE AUDIENCE

The platform has also introduced polls as a new participation tool. Users will be able to answer questions directly in the comments, while creators can use the votes to find out what their audience thinks.

Polls can be posted as comments on creators' own videos and can include up to five answer options. Creators will also be able to set how long each poll remains active.

The results will be displayed directly in the comments section. The feature is already available globally and is designed to turn conversations following a video into an additional way for creators and followers to interact.

UP TO NINE PHOTOS IN A SINGLE COMMENT

Images are also becoming more prominent with the new tools. TikTok will allow users to post carousels of up to nine photos in a single comment, making it possible to accompany a response with several images or provide more detailed information.

The platform is also adding the option to comment using photos captured in real time. Users will be able to use their smartphone camera to take a picture at the moment they participate in a conversation.

According to TikTok, live photos used in comments will initially appear as a quick preview before displaying the full image.

Comments featuring live photos are already available globally, while the photo carousel feature will be rolled out to all users over the next month.

With this set of new features, TikTok is expanding the role of its comments section and moving towards a more visual, interactive and multimedia conversation format in which text is no longer the only way to respond to a post.