TikTok has exploded in popularity over the last few years, becoming one of the most widely used social media platforms globally. As of 2023, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users, and is particularly popular among younger demographics like Gen Z [1]. With its short form video format, TikTok makes it easy for creators to produce fun and engaging content across many categories like dance, comedy, education, and more.
With such a massive user base on TikTok, many creators are interested in expanding their audience reach by exporting their videos from TikTok and reposting them on other platforms like YouTube. Uploading TikTok videos to YouTube can help expose them to new audiences and potentially drive traffic back to the creator’s TikTok account. There are several methods creators can use to download and repost their TikTok videos on YouTube if they want to tap into YouTube’s 2.6 billion monthly active users [1].
Why Export TikTok Videos to YouTube?
There are several key reasons why creators may want to export their TikTok videos to YouTube:
- Wider audience reach on YouTube – With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube has a much larger potential audience than TikTok. Uploading TikTok videos to YouTube can help expose your content to more viewers.
- Monetization opportunities on YouTube – Unlike TikTok, YouTube has built-in monetization features like YouTube Partner Program, channel memberships, Super Chat, and merchandise shelves. Creators can earn ad revenue from their uploaded videos on YouTube.
- Preserve videos if leaving TikTok – If you decide to stop using TikTok, having your videos on YouTube ensures they remain accessible. YouTube provides long-term video archiving.
- Easier video management on YouTube – YouTube Studio provides robust analytics, editing tools, and content organization features. Managing a catalog of videos is generally simpler on YouTube.
With the power of YouTube’s platform, uploading TikTok videos can be an effective cross-promotion strategy for creators seeking to expand their reach and earn money from existing content. As social media consultant Andrew Hawley states, “Cross-pollinating your content across multiple platforms is critical for success as a creator in 2022 and beyond.”
Direct Download Method
One way to export TikTok videos to YouTube is by directly downloading the videos from TikTok and then uploading them to YouTube. There are a few third party apps and websites that allow you to download videos directly from TikTok:
TikTokNoWatermark (www.tiktoknowatermark.com) is a website that lets you enter the link for a TikTok video and download it without the TikTok watermark. The download options include MP4 and MOV video files.
SnapTik (www.snaptik.app) is an app available for iOS and Android that also lets you download TikTok videos. You can save videos without the TikTok watermark and export them to your camera roll or gallery.
Once you’ve downloaded TikTok videos using one of these third party tools, you can then upload the downloaded videos to YouTube. When uploading to YouTube, make sure to provide proper attribution and follow all copyright rules if the content is not your original work.
Cross-Posting with Third Party Apps
One of the easiest ways to export TikTok videos to YouTube is by using third party apps that automate the cross-posting process. Tools like Repost allow you to directly repost your TikTok videos onto YouTube with just a few clicks. These apps do all the heavy lifting, taking your TikTok videos and transforming them into YouTube-ready formats, while also handling the actual upload and publishing to your connected YouTube channel.
The major benefit of using cross-posting apps is that they save you a ton of time and effort. Rather than having to manually download each TikTok video, edit it, and then upload individually to YouTube, the app handles everything automatically. You can share your entire TikTok video library or schedule ongoing auto-posts. This makes it easy to repurpose a steady stream of content from TikTok over to YouTube on autopilot.
Most cross-posting apps also give you analytics showing the performance of your shared videos on YouTube. This allows you to see which types of content resonate best with the YouTube audience. Overall, third party TikTok to YouTube automation tools provide the most frictionless solution for transferring your videos between platforms.
Upload from TikTok Website
Another easy way to export TikTok videos to YouTube is by using the share button on TikTok’s website. When viewing a video on TikTok, there is a share icon that allows you to cross-post that video directly to YouTube.
To upload to YouTube this way:
- Go to the TikTok video page you want to export.
- Click the share icon (it looks like an arrow pointing out of a box).
- Select the YouTube icon.
- Follow the prompts to connect your YouTube account.
- Choose which YouTube channel to publish to.
The TikTok video will then be uploaded directly to your connected YouTube account. This provides an easy way to repurpose your TikTok content without having to download and re-upload.
Considerations for Uploading
When uploading TikTok videos to YouTube, it’s important to optimize the content so it has the best chance to succeed on the new platform. Here are some key considerations:
Before uploading, take time to edit or trim the video as needed. Remove any overly long intros or outros. YouTube videos tend to be a bit longer than TikTok, but you still want to keep it focused and concise. Trim out any dead space or unnecessary segments. Having a tight, engaging video will lead to better viewer retention.
You’ll also want to optimize the video title, description, and tags according to YouTube best practices[1]. The title should clearly convey what the video is about while using relevant keywords. Write a detailed description that expands on the title and includes additional keywords. Fill out the tags field with keywords and phrases people may search on YouTube to find your content. This metadata helps the video surface in search and guides viewers on what to expect.
Optimizing your TikTok videos with editing and metadata will give them the best chance to succeed as repurposed YouTube content.
YouTube Channel Strategy
When cross-posting TikTok videos to YouTube, you have a couple options for your YouTube channel strategy:
1. Create a dedicated TikTok archive channel on YouTube to repost all your TikTok videos. This keeps your YouTube content organized. Many creators find success in this method according to this Creator Handbook article. They can drive views from TikTok over to the YouTube channel to build up an archive of their content.
2. Integrate TikTok cross-posts directly into your main YouTube channel. This works best if you have an existing audience on YouTube who will engage with your TikTok reposts. It allows you to consolidate your audiences. But it could seem disjointed if the content styles are very different.
Consider your goals and audience to decide which strategy fits best. A dedicated TikTok archive channel ensures all the videos are in one organized place to be discovered by new viewers. Integrating into your main channel leverages your existing subscriber base.
Monetization Options
There are two main ways to monetize TikTok videos uploaded to YouTube:
YouTube Partner Program
Once your YouTube channel reaches 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program to monetize your videos through advertisements. YouTube will place ads on and around your videos, and you’ll earn a portion of the ad revenue. This can be a significant source of income if your videos attract a large audience.
Affiliate Links
You can include affiliate links in the video description of your YouTube uploads. When viewers click these links and make a purchase, you’ll earn a commission. This allows you to monetize your TikTok content without relying solely on ad revenue.
Pros and Cons of Cross-Posting TikTok to YouTube
Cross-posting TikTok videos to YouTube comes with several potential benefits as well as some risks to consider.
Pros of Cross-Posting to YouTube
Some of the main advantages of also uploading your TikTok videos to YouTube include:
- Increased reach and visibility – YouTube has over 2 billion monthly active users, allowing you to get your videos in front of a much wider audience.
- More monetization opportunities – Unlike TikTok, YouTube allows creators to make money through ads, channel memberships, merchandise and more.
- Improved discoverability – YouTube has a powerful search engine and recommendation algorithm that can help new viewers find your content.
- Brand building – Having a YouTube channel can lend your brand more authority and trust in some cases.
- Archiving and playlists – YouTube makes it easy to organize and store your videos in playlists for fans to rewatch.
Cons and Risks
However, there are also some potential downsides of reposting TikTok videos on YouTube:
- Copyright issues – You must own the rights to all content you upload to avoid copyright claims.
- Production value – TikTok videos may need editing to adapt them for YouTube’s audience.
- Channel dilution – Posting too many TikTok reuploads could dilute your YouTube channel’s content.
- Engagement issues – Viewers interact differently on each platform, so engagement rates may vary.
- Algorithm confusion – Uploading similar content to multiple platforms can sometimes negatively impact recommendations.
Weighing the pros and cons allows creators to make an informed decision about repurposing TikTok videos for YouTube.
Conclusion
There are a few main methods for exporting TikTok videos to YouTube – direct downloading from TikTok, using third party apps to cross-post, or uploading videos directly through TikTok’s website. Each method has its own pros and cons to consider in terms of convenience, quality, attribution and more.
For most TikTok creators looking to expand their audience, cross-posting selected videos to YouTube as well can be a smart strategy. Using a third party app designed for this makes it simple to quickly repost your best performing TikTok content. This allows you to tap into YouTube’s much larger user base. Just be sure to customize the video title and description for the YouTube audience.
When establishing a YouTube channel to complement a TikTok presence, it’s best to keep a consistent brand image and voice across both platforms. Optimize your YouTube content for search and suggested videos to gain more visibility. Consider monetizing through YouTube’s Partner Program once you hit the eligibility thresholds.
In summary, exporting TikTok videos to YouTube provides an excellent opportunity to maximize viewership. With the right tools and strategy, creators can grow their brand influence across both platforms.
