Some users may wish to hide that they viewed someone’s TikTok for privacy reasons. There are various motivations why someone may not want others to see they viewed a particular video or account, such as:
- Avoiding unwanted attention or interactions with the video creator
- Preventing the video creator from knowing they watched a sensitive, personal, or embarrassing video
- Keeping their interests and viewing habits private from friends or family who follow them
- Not wanting professional contacts or coworkers who follow them to know about their personal viewing
- General concerns over data privacy and limiting the information collected about their viewing habits
While TikTok users have various reasons for wanting to hide their video views, this guide will explore technical methods that can help limit visibility and improve privacy.
Viewing TikToks Anonymously
One way to hide your views on TikTok is to use the platform anonymously without an account. TikTok allows users to browse videos as a “guest” without logging in or creating an account. This can be done by visiting tiktok.com in your browser and clicking “Browse as Guest” on the login page.
Browsing TikTok this way allows you to view content without any activity being linked to an account. Your views will not show up on a user’s profile or impact their analytics. This can be useful if you want to watch someone’s content privately without them knowing.
However, there are some downsides to browsing TikTok anonymously. You won’t be able to like, comment, share, or post any videos. Your watch history and preferences also won’t be saved, so your feed won’t be personalized. And you may occasionally be prompted to log in or create an account to continue browsing.
Private or Incognito Modes
One way to hide that you viewed someone’s TikTok is to use your browser or app’s private or incognito browsing mode. This opens a new window where your browsing history and activity are not saved locally or tracked. According to TikTok’s help center article, using incognito mode on mobile means “your watch and search history won’t be recorded” (source). When you close the private window, it will be like you were never there.
The advantage of private browsing is that viewing TikToks this way leaves no trace. Your profile and account do not show any sign that you watched certain videos. However, there are some limitations. If you are logged into your TikTok account in a private window, your likes, comments, and other interactions will still be associated with your account. Also, if the TikTok user can see who viewed their profile or posts, they may still see you listed depending on their settings. So private browsing hides your own viewing history, but does not make you fully anonymous to others.
Clear Cookies and Data
One way to hide your TikTok viewing history is to regularly clear your cookies and data. Clearing your cookies and cache will erase the record of videos you’ve watched on TikTok (source). This is because TikTok stores information about the videos you view, like, and follow in cookies on your device.
To fully remove your TikTok watch history, you’ll need to clear your cookies and site data regularly – ideally every time you finish browsing TikTok. The frequency depends on how often you use the app. On an iPhone, you can go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. On Android, go to Chrome settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data. Select cookies, cached images/files, etc. This will wipe your TikTok watch history along with data from other websites.
Use a Different Account
One way to view someone’s TikTok profile or videos anonymously is to use a separate or secondary TikTok account. This allows you to browse and watch TikToks without the person being notified or your main profile being connected to the views.
TikTok allows users to have up to 3 accounts on a single mobile device [1]. To set up a secondary account, simply download the TikTok app again or use the same app to sign up with a different email, phone number, and username. You can easily switch between your main and secondary accounts in the app menu.
When viewing TikToks from your secondary account, the account holder will not receive notifications or be able to see your profile or activity. This keeps your main TikTok identity anonymous while satisfying curiosity or viewing content privately.
Restrict Profile and Posts
One way to hide that you’ve viewed someone’s TikTok is to make your account private. According to the TikTok Help Center, private accounts mean “only people you approve can follow you and view your posts”. When your account is set to private, your profile information and posts will no longer be visible to the public.
Making your account private prevents random viewers from seeing that you looked at their content. Your views of other accounts will be hidden from anyone who doesn’t follow you. This makes it more difficult for people to tell if you’ve watched their videos if they are not one of your followers.
You can make your TikTok account private by going to your profile, tapping the three-dot menu, selecting “Settings and privacy,” then changing your account to private. Just be aware this also limits your visibility and reach on TikTok in general.
Use a TikTok Viewer Site
Third-party sites like Tiktok Online Viewer let you view TikTok profiles and videos anonymously without an account. These sites work by scraping TikTok’s public data to display it on their own platform. When using these sites, the person you’re viewing won’t know you visited their profile or watched their videos.
However, there are some safety and reliability concerns with third-party TikTok viewers. These sites may contain ads, trackers, malware, or have security vulnerabilities that put your privacy at risk. Additionally, TikTok may block these sites at any time for violating their terms of service, causing them to stop working properly. It’s important to exercise caution when using third-party sites and avoid entering any personal information on them.
Block the User
One way to hide that you viewed someone’s TikTok is to block that user. When you block someone on TikTok, they can no longer see your profile or any of your activity, including your video views (according to this Reddit discussion). Blocking removes all evidence that you existed on their page, essentially hiding your views.
However, blocking has some downsides. You won’t be able to view the profile or content of someone you’ve blocked. You also won’t be able to comment or interact with their videos. Blocking should only be used if you want to completely remove yourself from someone’s TikTok presence.
Consider Why Hiding Views
Before taking steps to hide your views of someone’s TikTok profile, it’s worth examining your motivations and considering the ethics of doing so. Some reasons people may want their views hidden include curiosity about someone they find interesting, concern that the person may get the wrong idea if they know you’ve viewed them, or wanting to avoid awkwardness in your relationship. However, hiding your views can also feel dishonest, invade the other person’s privacy, or even verge on stalking behavior if taken too far.
It’s generally recommended to view others’ public social media profiles openly and ethically. If you feel the need to hide your views, you may want to reconsider whether you should be viewing that person’s profile at all without their consent. Focus on building direct, honest relationships and communication. Avoid hiding behind technology to secretly observe others. Consider how you would feel if roles were reversed. Ultimately, preserve respect and trust in your interpersonal connections through transparency.
If you have a legitimate reason to view anonymously, such as researching a public figure, do so judiciously. Ensure your motivations align with ethical principles. Weigh your personal goals against the other person’s reasonable expectations of privacy and consent. With mindful awareness, you can view TikTok profiles appropriately and make wise choices.
Conclusion
There are several methods available for viewing someone’s TikTok profile or videos anonymously, such as using private browsing modes, third-party sites, or blocking the user. However, it’s important to consider the ethics and potential legal issues around hiding your views from someone.
Laws regarding stalking and harassment vary by location, but repeatedly viewing someone’s profile against their wishes could be considered cyberstalking or harassment. TikTok has resources to report bullying and abusive behavior. If you feel you’re being harassed or stalked online, consider speaking with authorities or trusted adults for help.
In most cases, the healthiest approach is being transparent about viewing TikTok content. If you wish to discreetly view a profile, using built-in privacy modes or third-party sites may be an option. But avoid aggressively hiding your interactions with someone over an extended period, as this could cross legal boundaries. Focus conversations around mutual respect and consent.
Overall, it’s important we use TikTok and other social platforms ethically, empathetically, and legally. Consider the person on the other end, communicate directly when issues arise, and seek help if you feel targeted or unsafe.
