TikTok filters allow users to alter their appearance in videos using different effects like adding makeup or changing facial features. Filters have become an incredibly popular feature on TikTok since they were introduced in 2019.
TikTok filters use augmented reality (AR) technology to apply visual effects to faces in real-time. Some add subtle touches like smoother skin or brighter eyes while others transform users into different characters or versions of themselves. There are now hundreds of filters available in the TikTok app.
Filters have had a major impact on TikTok, with many viral trends centered around popular filters. Users are constantly searching for the latest fun filters to try in their videos. According to TikTok, filters were used more than 15 billion times in a single day in 2021.
Filters provide entertainment value but have also been criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards. However, it’s clear TikTok filters are incredibly popular and allow creativity in video creation.
Types of TikTok Filters
TikTok offers several main types of filters that users can apply to their videos. These include:
Face Filters
Face filters alter or enhance facial features. Some add virtual makeup while others impose animated accessories like animal ears or masks. Popular examples include the Cartoon filter that stylizes faces and the In Love filter that places hearts around eyes. Face filters allow creativity in appearance and self-expression.
Background Filters
Background filters transform the environment behind a subject. Static options add color tints and graphic overlays. Dynamic backgrounds imitate real or fantastical settings from beaches to starry skies. Background filters provide an easy way to change scenery without location filming.
Effect Filters
Effect filters modify the overall video style. Options range from vintage film looks to glitch distortions. Slow motion, time lapses, and other effects also fall under this category. These filters enable creative cinematography and unique visual styles.
AR Filters
Augmented reality filters overlay digital objects and animations into real world scenes as if they existed together naturally. For example, the Disco Ball filter generates a sparkling dancing ball beside the user. AR filters blend physical and virtual worlds for playful videos.
Most Popular TikTok Filters
TikTok offers a huge range of fun filters that allow users to transform their appearance and videos in creative ways. Some of the most popular TikTok filters include:
The Claire filter creates a soft and natural beauty look by smoothing skin, enhancing eyes, and adding a subtle glow. This filter is extremely popular for selfies and is considered one of the best beautifying filters on TikTok [1].
The Disney filter adds animated Disney character ears and eyes to transform users into a cute cartoon version of themselves. This playful filter is beloved by Disney fans and those looking to spark creativity in their videos [2].
The Rainbow filter saturates videos with vivid rainbow colors for a dreamy, psychedelic effect. It’s commonly used in dance trends, lip-syncs, and transition videos to add a colorful pop [3].
The Cat and Bunny filters add adorable animated cat or rabbit ears and noses to bring out users’ playful side. These are go-to filters for cute and silly lip-syncs, dances, and comedy sketches [3].
TikTok’s huge filter library ensures there’s something for every interest and creative video concept. These most popular options showcase how filters allow users to transform their appearance and content in fun ways that resonate widely with the TikTok community.
Creating Custom Filters
TikTok offers several tools that allow users to create their own custom filters and effects to share on the platform. The main TikTok filter creator tool is called Effect House, which is a separate app available for download on iOS and Android devices. Using Effect House, users can design filters by uploading images, adding drawings, text, and visual effects. There are options to create 2D, 3D, AR, and face-tracking effects. Effect House also includes templates and tutorials to guide users through the filter creation process (TikTok).
In order to submit a custom filter for approval, there are certain requirements and guidelines to follow. The filter must be original content that does not violate any copyrights. It should function properly without glitches or crashes. TikTok recommends keeping filters simple and inclusive so that they appeal to a wide audience. Complex filters with many effects or animations may not get approved. The filter also cannot contain anything inappropriate, offensive, misleading, or dangerous (TikTok).
Once a filter is created in Effect House, the user can submit it directly in the app for review by TikTok. The approval process usually takes 1-2 weeks. If approved, the filter will then be available for all TikTok users to find and use. The creator will be credited whenever someone views or uses their custom filter. This provides opportunities for designers to gain a TikTok following and have their work seen by millions of people.
Viral TikTok Filter Trends
Many of the viral trends on TikTok have been fueled by the creative use of filters. Dance challenges in particular often utilize unique filters to enhance the videos. For example, the hugely popular “Silhouette” challenge had TikTokers dancing in creative black-and-white silhouettes created by the app’s “Silhouette” filter [1]. The “Inverted” filter birthed its own dance craze, with videos hashtagged #InvertedChallenge reaching over 280 million views.
Catchy songs on TikTok also tend to get paired with specific filters that accentuate the vibe. “M to the B” by Millie B was propelled to fame partly thanks to the trippy and surreal #MtotheB filter. Singer Sueco’s “fast paced love” found a perfect match with the frantic #fastpacedlove filter. And the song “Monkeys Spinning Monkeys” inspired the aptly named #MonkeyFilter dance videos.
Filters provide creative inspiration on TikTok, allowing trends to form around special effects. TikTok’s constantly updating library of filters gives users unique ways to enhance their videos and participate in viral challenges.
Impact on Culture
TikTok’s filters have played a major role in the app’s popularity and ability to shape cultural trends. Filters like the “beauty filter” enhanced TikTok’s appeal as a social platform centered around sharing videos of oneself. By making users look more attractive, filters incentivized sharing and helped TikTok overtake competitors.
Viral filter challenges have often kicked off widespread crazes in fashion, music, or dance moves. For example, the “Flip the Switch” challenge featuring Drake’s song Nonstop popularized a video meme format copied across other apps [1]. Critics argue TikTok filters promote unrealistic beauty standards, particularly among teenage girls. There are also concerns that some challenges and trends promoted on TikTok via filters encourage dangerous or illegal behavior.
Marketing Potential
TikTok filters have opened up new opportunities for brands and influencers to connect with audiences in creative ways. Some of the key marketing potentials of TikTok filters include:
Filters used in influencer sponsorships – Brands often collaborate with popular TikTok creators to promote products or services using sponsored filters. The influencer encourages their followers to use the custom branded filter and create their own videos. This helps brands get more organic exposure.
Brands creating branded filters – Companies can develop branded filters linked to their business to raise awareness and engagement. Users get excited to use filters from their favorite brands that add interactive elements and effects related to the brand.
Leveraging filters for advertising – Filters allow a new form of digital advertising. Brands can turn filters into mini ads by having the filter apply the company logo, name or branded elements. Advertising can be integrated directly into the creative experience.
As TikTok continues to grow, branded filters and collaborations will become even more prominent. Filters present a huge opportunity for marketers to connect with the massive TikTok audience in an authentic way that resonates.
Demographics of Filter Users
TikTok has revealed some interesting insights into the demographics of filter users on their platform. According to TikTok’s own audience research, over 50% of TikTok users between the ages of 16-24 have used an AR filter on the app. The gender breakdown shows that 55% of female TikTok users have tried filters, compared to 45% of males.
In terms of geography, usage of filters is highest among TikTok users in Asia Pacific markets like Japan and South Korea. The US and Europe have relatively lower, but still substantial, usage rates of filters according to TikTok’s internal data. This suggests cultural factors may play a role in adoption of AR effects. TikTok’s audience also tends to skew younger, with 60% being aged 24 or under. This younger demographic is more inclined to experiment with filters and effects.
Future of TikTok Filters
As TikTok continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see ongoing innovation and new developments in filters and effects. Here are some key things to watch for:
New filter types expected – TikTok is likely to expand its filter offerings to include more advanced AR filters and effects using facial/body tracking and 3D rendering. For example, realistic makeup filters, animated characters that interact with the user’s movements, and more immersive environments and backgrounds. Filters may become more interactive and customizable as well. Source
Potential regulation or limitations – With its growing influence, TikTok filters and effects could draw more scrutiny around potential impacts on mental health, self-image, etc., which may lead to some regulations. There could also be copyright issues with certain effects. TikTok may have to impose restrictions accordingly.
Innovations to watch – TikTok’s parent company ByteDance recently acquired AI startup Pico4, pointing to investments in cutting-edge filter technology using machine learning. Real-time 3D effects, personalized filters based on a user’s face shape, and more seamless embedding of effects into videos are some innovations to expect. Source
Conclusion
In summary, TikTok filters have become an integral part of the platform’s culture and appeal. Users have billions of filters to choose from, with new options constantly being added. Some of the most popular filters include beauty filters that smooth skin, enlarge eyes, and edit facial features. Other viral filters add special effects, change the color or lighting of videos, or impose animated elements.
While fun and creative, research shows these filters can negatively impact mental health and self-image, especially among young users. The unrealistic and exaggerated effects set unrealistic beauty standards that can lower self-esteem. More research is needed on the long-term psychological effects.
Overall, filters drive significant engagement for TikTok and allow users to express themselves creatively. However, they should be used responsibly, and TikTok may need to consider safeguards for younger audiences. As the platform continues rapidly evolving, filters will likely play an even bigger role in defining TikTok culture and reach.
