Group messaging is coming to TikTok. © Shutterstock
It’s hard in 2024 to be a social network or a messaging service and not offer a group conversation system. Until now, TikTok has managed to do without it and to live very well thanks in particular to the very well-oiled operation of the heart of its service, namely videos. But that’s it, on this August 12, the Chinese giant has decided to catch up.
TikTok steps up its DM game
TikTok is indeed rolling out the ability to create or join private conversations (the famous DMs) with multiple people at the same time. If you don’t see this feature right away, that’s normal. The firm actually specifies quite vaguely in an FAQ: “Group chat is currently not available everywhere.“It remains to be seen when this will be the case for everyone.
On the technical side, up to 32 people can join a group chat. Tools to block, mute or report users or entire chats are included. To prevent abuse and drift, TikTok has also decided to limit the number of groups that a user can create as well as the number of times a message can be transmitted.
TikTok could thus further increase its retention. © Shutterstock
Limits to protect the youngest
Regularly criticized, especially when it comes to its influence on younger people, TikTok has decided to take the lead with group DMs. First of all, and as is already the case with private messages, group messages are not accessible to teenagers aged 13 to 15. Limitations apply for those aged 16 and 17.
They can only be added to a group conversation by friends or if at least one mutual friend is in the group conversation. If they receive a link from a stranger to join a multi-person chat, they will not be able to accept the invitation. If a 16-17 year old creates a group conversation, they will have to manually accept each member addition.
Finally, in parallel with the addition of group DMs, TikTok now supports the use of stickers in DMs. As with the competition, it is possible to use those of others or to create your own.