TikTok has become one of the most popular social media platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users. On TikTok, users can upload short videos and add captions, hashtags, effects, and more to make them engaging. One important but often overlooked element of a TikTok post is the video description.
The description appears right below the username on each video post. It provides additional context, keywords, links, and details to supplement the actual video content. While the description is secondary to the video itself, crafting an optimized, compelling description can help videos get discovered in TikTok search, encourage profile clicks, convey critical information, and boost engagement.
Can You Edit TikTok Descriptions?
Yes, you can edit TikTok descriptions after posting, but the process is not as straightforward as you might think. TikTok does not provide an obvious “edit description” button on posted videos. However, there is a workaround that allows you to modify the text in your video’s description box after it goes live.
According to [1], TikTok currently does not let users directly edit the descriptive text below their published videos. Unlike the title or hashtags, the description field lacks an edit feature post-upload. But you’re not entirely out of luck if you notice a typo or want to adjust your video description later on.
[1] https://www.flexclip.com/learn/tiktok-caption.html
How to Edit a TikTok Description
Editing your TikTok description after posting is easy to do on both iOS and Android devices. Here are the steps:
On iOS:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner of the video you want to edit.
- Select “Edit video” from the menu.
- Tap on the text field below the title to edit your video’s description.
- Make your changes and hit “Save” when done.
On Android:
- Open the TikTok app and go to your profile page.
- Tap and hold on the video you want to edit.
- Tap “Edit” in the pop-up menu.
- Tap on the text field below the title to edit your video’s description.
- Make your changes and hit “Save” when finished.
That’s all there is to it! You can edit TikTok descriptions on both mobile platforms quickly and easily.
When to Edit Your TikTok Description
There are a few key times when you may want to edit your TikTok description after posting:
- To fix typos or grammatical mistakes. Typos can undermine your credibility, so it’s important to correct them as soon as you notice them. Editing the description allows you to fix any errors and present your profile in the best possible light.
- To improve clarity and readability. Sometimes a description makes sense when you first write it, but reads poorly later on. If the description is confusing, rambling, or full of jargon, editing it can greatly enhance understandability.
- To update outdated information. If any of the information in your description becomes outdated, editing lets you keep things current. This includes changing links, updating credentials, or reflecting new offerings.
- To refine the messaging. Over time, you may want to refine the messaging, focus, or purpose of your profile. Editing gives you the flexibility to pivot your description as needed.
Overall, editing allows you to polish and fine-tune your TikTok description whenever needed. It’s a best practice to periodically review your description with fresh eyes and make improvements.[1][2]
Tips for Writing Good TikTok Descriptions
When writing a TikTok description, it’s important to keep it clear, concise, and engaging. According to Tailwindapp.com, “Keep your descriptions short and to the point. Viewers are more likely to engage with a description that is easy to read and understand.”
Some tips for writing good TikTok descriptions include:
- Be brief – Describe the video in 1-2 concise sentences
- Use keywords – Include relevant keywords people may search for
- Ask questions – Engage viewers by asking a question related to the video
- Add humor – Use emojis, jokes, or wordplay to be creative and fun
- Call to action – Prompt viewers to like, comment, share, or visit your profile
- Be consistent – Keep your descriptions in the same tone and style
An effective description quickly tells viewers what the video is about while enticing them to watch. Keeping descriptions short, focused, and engaging can help maximize viewership and interaction.
Maximize Your TikTok Description
Your TikTok description is prime real estate to maximize the visibility and reach of your videos. Here are some tips to optimize it:
Strategically use keywords: Include relevant keywords that people may search for. But avoid keyword stuffing, as too many keywords will look spammy. Place important keywords toward the beginning.
Use relevant hashtags: Hashtags help surface your videos and let people find content about specific topics. Include a few popular hashtags related to your niche, but not too many. Place hashtags at the end after your text.
Include links: Add links to your website, online store, or other social profiles. This gives viewers a direct path to learn more about you or purchase from you. You can also link to other relevant videos or playlists.
By optimizing your TikTok description with strategic keywords, hashtags, and links, you can maximize views, follows, traffic, and sales.
What to Avoid in Descriptions
When writing TikTok descriptions, it’s important to avoid certain mistakes that can turn off viewers or get your video removed. Here are some things to avoid:
Spammy text – Don’t overload your description with lots of repetitive keywords or unrelated hashtags just to try and game the TikTok algorithm. This comes across as spammy.
Overusing emojis – While emojis can help convey tone and personality, overusing them makes the text hard to read and looks unprofessional. Use them sparingly.
Too many hashtags – No more than 3-5 hashtags are recommended in a TikTok description. More than that is overkill and makes it look like you’re hashtag spamming.
Unclear or misleading text – Make sure your description clearly relates to the content in the video. Vague or misleading text frustrates users.
All caps text – Avoid writing the entire description in ALL CAPS as this looks like yelling. Use caps sparingly for emphasis.
Text walls – Break up long blocks of text with line breaks and paragraphs to make it scannable. Giant walls of text are unappealing.
Over-promotion – Don’t make the description just a sales pitch. Keep the hard sell to a minimum.
Incorrect grammar/spelling – Typos or poor grammar undermines your credibility. Proofread before posting.
Negative or controversial language – Avoid controversial topics or negativity that could get you banned.
Follow TikTok’s community guidelines and be mindful of the text in your descriptions. Avoid overtly promotional, spammy, or inappropriate content.
Examples of Great TikTok Descriptions
Some of the most engaging TikTok descriptions come from popular creators who know how to hook viewers. For example, comedian Brittany Broski’s eccentric descriptions like “welcome to flavor town” and “what in tarnation” match her quirky sense of humor perfectly (source). Dance creator Charli D’Amelio keeps it short and sweet with clever lines like “dance tutorial!!” that entice viewers to watch. Singer Loren Gray makes her songs relatable by using lyrics as captions like “when you’re gone, the pieces of my heart are missing you.”
The key is finding your own unique voice and style. Tingey Blaylock, a parenting influencer known as @teenymighty on TikTok, says clever and funny captions have helped her go viral. She suggests using familiar internet or meme humor when appropriate. Most importantly, your personality should shine through in an authentic way (source).
Analyzing top creators’ captions shows the value of creativity, brevity, and charm. Use descriptive lines that grab attention but also express something about you. Ultimately your descriptions should make viewers eager to watch more.
TikTok Description Character Limits
TikTok currently limits video descriptions to 150 characters. This allows creators to provide a brief overview of their content, but forces them to be concise. According to CharacterCounter, the 150 character limit applies to both the text description that appears under the video thumbnail on the For You feed, as well as the caption that appears when viewing the full video page.
While 150 characters may seem restrictive, especially compared to other platforms like Instagram that allow 2,200 characters, it encourages TikTokers to communicate the essence of their video in a sentence or two. This helps catch viewers’ attention as they quickly scroll through the For You feed.
Some users want TikTok to lift the 150 character limit to allow for more detailed video descriptions. But the restraint challenges creators to maximize the impact of each character. Developing this skill takes practice but helps produce quality video captions.
It’s unclear if or when TikTok may expand the description character limit. For now, the best practice is to make the most of the 150 characters permitted.
Conclusion
Optimizing your TikTok video descriptions is an important way to improve discoverability and engagement on the platform. As discussed, you can edit TikTok descriptions after posting, which gives you flexibility to refine your messaging over time.
When writing descriptions, focus on including relevant keywords, compelling hooks, and clear calls-to-action. Keep it concise within the 500 character limit. Use editing to test different description versions and find what resonates best with your audience.
Well-written descriptions that capture attention help showcase your videos. They enable you to share more context, personality and branding. So take advantage of the ability to edit TikTok descriptions after posting to polish your video presence.
