What is a TikTok Repost?
A TikTok repost is when a user shares someone else’s video on their own TikTok profile. There is a dedicated “Repost” button on videos that allows you to easily repost content you find from other TikTok users. When you tap the Repost button, it shares the video on your own profile so your followers can view it. Reposting is similar to retweeting on Twitter or re-sharing a post on Facebook. It’s a way to amplify content you find interesting or entertaining with your own audience on TikTok.
When you repost a video, it will appear on your profile with the original creator’s username attached. Users can tap on the username to be directed to the original video and creator profile. Your followers will see that you have reposted someone else’s content. The number of reposts a video has received is also publicly displayed, showing how many times it has been shared. Overall, reposting is an easy way to engage with content and participate in sharing viral moments across the TikTok community.
Can You See Who Viewed Your Repost?
By default, TikTok does not show you who has viewed your repost. When you share someone else’s video on your own profile, TikTok treats it like a regular post. This means the repost analytics are limited compared to the original video.
TikTok currently does not provide any data on who specifically watched your repost. The original video may show view analytics, but those metrics only apply to that source video. Your repost of it is considered separate content.
So unfortunately, there is no direct way within TikTok to see who viewed your repost. The standard TikTok analytics will show total views, likes, comments, shares etc. But it does not reveal the user profiles or accounts that interacted with the reposted content.
Why TikTok Doesn’t Show Repost Views
TikTok takes user privacy and anonymity very seriously. Unlike other social media platforms, TikTok intentionally does not show view counts on reposted videos in order to protect user identities and prevent “clout chasing” behavior. According to TikTok’s Community Guidelines, “Respect other users’ privacy. Don’t collect, use, or share data about other users without their consent.”
By not displaying view counts on reposts, TikTok aims to create an environment focused on creative expression rather than vanity metrics. As stated in their mission statement, TikTok strives to “Inspire creativity and bring joy.” Showing view counts on reposts could take away from that goal by shifting users’ motivation toward chasing views and popularity.
In summary, TikTok’s decision not to show view counts on reposted videos aligns with their greater emphasis on user privacy and creating a positive creative community centered around authentic self-expression.
Third-Party Analytics Apps
Since TikTok doesn’t provide repost view counts within its native app, some users turn to third-party analytics apps to track this metric. Popular options include HypeAuditor, Iconosquare, and SocialInsider. These apps connect to your TikTok account and provide detailed analytics on your videos, including repost views and engagement.
For example, HypeAuditor lets you see total views and likes on both your original videos and reposts. You can filter specifically for reposts to see aggregated stats. The app offers a free plan with basic analytics or paid subscriptions for more advanced insights. Other apps like SocialInsider operate similarly. They pull data directly from TikTok to build comprehensive reports.
The main benefit of these third-party analytics platforms is gaining visibility into repost views and other metrics not provided by TikTok. This gives content creators and brands a better sense of their overall reach and impact.
Considerations When Using Third-Party Apps
While third-party analytics apps provide insights into repost views that TikTok doesn’t offer, there are some important considerations when using them:
These apps may collect user data for ad targeting or other purposes. As one study found, TikTok already collects more user data than any other social media platform. Adding another app could mean even more data collection.
It’s unclear exactly what data these apps access. With third-party trackers, it’s hard to know who is collecting data and what information they are gathering.
There are potential security and privacy risks. As experts note, third-party apps may contain vulnerabilities that put user data at risk.
TikTok could ban users who use third-party analytics apps, as this violates their terms of service. Those considering using these apps should carefully review TikTok’s rules first.
Given the privacy concerns around TikTok and possibility of a U.S. ban, sharing data with additional apps is a risk. Users must weigh the benefits of analytics against potential data privacy issues.
TikTok Analytics in a Pro Account
TikTok offers advanced analytics to creators through TikTok Pro accounts. According to TikTok’s Newsroom, Pro accounts provide an overview and insights on things like your weekly and monthly views, follower growth, and trending videos1.
Some of the key analytics available in a TikTok Pro account include:
- Traffic sources – See where your profile visits are coming from (For You Page, Following, Profile, Hashtags, etc).
- Top videos – Identify your best performing videos.
- Follower demographics – Understand your followers by location, gender, age, device.
- Engagement metrics – Track likes, comments, shares, plays, profile visits.
- Video performance – Monitor views, reach, completion rate for each video.
With a Pro account, TikTok creators get access to analytics directly within TikTok, providing valuable insights to optimize content and growth strategies.
How to Get a TikTok Pro Account
To get a TikTok Pro account, you need to apply through the TikTok app and get approved. Here are the main steps:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select “Switch to Pro Account”.
3. TikTok will ask you some questions to determine your eligibility. You’ll need to confirm you are the content owner, provide details on your account category (individual, business, etc.), and agree to the Pro Account terms.
4. Submit your application. TikTok will review it and get back to you if you are approved. The process can take a few days.
5. If approved, your account will be upgraded to a TikTok Pro account. You’ll gain access to analytics and other professional tools.
According to sources, to be eligible you typically need at least 10,000 authentic followers and 10,000 video views in the last 30 days. TikTok wants to see you have an engaged audience and quality content.[1]
Pro Account Limitations
While Pro Accounts provide more analytics than personal accounts, there are some limitations to be aware of compared to third-party analytics apps:
- Pro Accounts only show analytics for the last 60 days maximum, while third-party apps may store long-term data.
- Pro Accounts don’t show precise viewer demographics – just broader age ranges and countries. Third-party apps can show more granular analytics on viewer gender, interests, locations, etc.
- Pro Accounts don’t allow exporting analytics data. Third-party apps may let you download reports.
- Pro Accounts don’t track real-time data – the analytics can lag by a day. Third-party apps show close to real-time analytics.
- Pro Accounts don’t show analytics on Duets or Stitch videos featuring your content. Some third-party apps track the full spread of your content.
So while Pro Accounts provide helpful high-level analytics, third-party apps allow much more powerful and precise analytics tracking for active content creators.
Other Ways to Gauge Repost Performance
Aside from concrete metrics, there are other ways to gauge how your reposted videos are performing on TikTok.
Look at the number of likes and comments on the reposted videos. More engagement in the form of likes and comments generally signals the video is resonating with your audience. You can compare engagement metrics on reposted videos versus original videos to see if there are differences in reception.
Pay attention to any noticeable increases in traffic from TikTok to your other social channels or website. Reposts that drive more referral traffic indicate an audience that’s clicking through from TikTok to learn more. You can use Google Analytics or other web analytics to track spikes in traffic from TikTok.
Check if your reposts are getting shared by others. If other users are downloading your repost and resharing it themselves, that’s a strong sign of a viral video that’s reaching a wider audience.
Qualitatively assess comments on reposts to see what resonates. Look for feedback that gives insight into why viewers appreciated the repost and what emotions it evoked.
While concrete metrics are ideal, these other signals can supplement your understanding of how reposts are performing.
In Summary
TikTok does not show view counts for reposted videos in its native analytics. The only way to see repost views is by using a third-party analytics app or upgrading to a TikTok Pro account. Pro accounts provide more detailed analytics, but still do not break down views specifically for reposts.
Some third-party apps can show repost views, but have limitations in accuracy or features compared to TikTok’s official analytics. It’s important to carefully review their permissions and data collection practices before connecting your account.
While exact view counts are unavailable, you can still gauge a repost’s performance through engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares. Monitoring these interactions can provide a general sense of how well your repost is reaching its intended audience.
In summary, TikTok’s analytics prioritize original content creators over reposters. There are workarounds to estimate repost views, but no perfect solution currently exists natively within TikTok.
