TikTok is a popular short-form video app that has exploded in popularity in recent years. As of 2023, TikTok has over 1 billion monthly active users globally [1,2]. On the app, users can create and share 15 to 60 second videos featuring themselves lip syncing, dancing, doing comedy sketches, and more.
One of the features that makes TikTok videos unique and appealing are the effects. TikTok effects are visual and audio enhancements that can be added to videos during editing. These include filters, stickers, text overlays, animated emojis, face filters, distorting lenses, augmented reality objects, and more. Effects allow users to get creative with their videos and make them more entertaining and engaging.
Using fun effects is part of what makes creating TikTok videos so popular. Effects help videos stand out, follow viral trends, and enhance the humor or story being told. With so many options to choose from, effects open up creative possibilities for users and are a big part of what makes TikTok so addicting to scroll through.
Types of TikTok Effects
TikTok effects fall into three main categories: visual effects, audio effects, and text effects.
Visual effects add filters, graphics, and augmented reality (AR) elements to your videos. These include green screen effects, Face Zoom, Anime Filter, Glitch, and more. You can layer multiple visual effects to create unique stylized videos. Popular visual effects on TikTok include Pixelate, 1970s, and Beauty Filters (Source).
Audio effects modify the sound of your voice or background audio. Voice effects like robot, demon, and echo are commonly used for transitions and skits. You can also add background music and isolate vocals using TikTok’s audio editing tools. Voiceovers and duets use audio effects to combine multiple audio sources in one video.
Text effects overlay text captions, subtitles, stickers, and drawings onto your videos. They are great for adding commentary, humor, or visual flair. You can choose from TikTok’s library of text effects or create custom captions. Popular text effects include Face Tracker, Comic, and Rainbow (Source).
Finding Effects in the TikTok App
There are a few different ways to find effects directly within the TikTok app:
The Effects tab – This is located on the left side of the camera screen in the app. Tapping here allows you to browse all of the available effects by category or search.
Browse by category – The Effects tab has different categories like “Trending”, “Beauty”, and “Funny” that you can scroll through to discover new effects.
Search bar – At the top of the Effects tab is a search bar where you can type in keywords to find specific effects. This is helpful if you know the name of an effect you want to use.
When you tap on an effect in the app, you’ll be able to preview it before recording a video with it. This makes it easy to test out effects and find the perfect one for your TikTok videos.
For more information on finding effects within the TikTok app, check out the TikTok support article on effects here: https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/creating-videos/effects
Creating Your Own Effects
If you want full creative control, you can make your own custom effects through TikTok’s Effect House platform. This requires a TikTok developer account, which you can apply for through TikTok’s developer portal. Once your developer account is approved, you’ll gain access to Effect House in the TikTok app.
In Effect House, you can upload your own media files like images, videos, and music. You can then use TikTok’s effect editor to add interactive elements, triggers, transitions, and other customizable features. This allows you to build an effect from scratch using your own visuals, audio, and programming logic. The end result will be a unique effect that you own and control.
The effect creation process does require some technical knowledge. TikTok provides documentation to guide you through the Effect House tools and features. But having experience with visual, audio, and programming tools will help you design a polished, engaging effect.
Overall, making a custom effect lets TikTok creators exercise their creativity and own an effect to potentially reach a wide audience. But it takes time and skill to craft effective effects that connect with viewers.
Using Trending Effects
One of the easiest ways to find trending effects is to browse the Sounds page in the TikTok app. Here you’ll find a list of popular songs and audio clips that are commonly used in effects and filters. Look for sounds tagged with hashtags like #greenscreen, #filter, or #effect to discover effects gaining popularity.
For example, the “I’m Just a Kid” sound by Simple Plan has been used in the popular Mirror Effect and Clone Effect over 39 million times. Tapping on trending sounds is a great way to find the latest must-try effects.
You can also search effects by hashtag. Hashtags like #greenscreen, #fyp, and #transition can lead you to viral effects. The Sounds page and discovering effects by hashtag are two easy methods for jumping on trends and finding the most popular effects on TikTok right now.
Duetting Videos with Effects
One way to use TikTok effects is to duet a video that already has an effect applied. To duet a video, tap the ‘Share’ icon on a video and select the ‘Duet’ option. This will open up a split screen with the original video on one side and a record screen on the other. As the original video plays, you can record yourself reacting or responding to it. The effect from the original video will automatically be applied to your duet too. This allows you to collaborate with the creator of the original and put your own spin on their work.
When duetting with effects, it’s important to credit the original video you are duetting. You can do this by mentioning the username of the original creator in your caption. The original video will remain visible in the duet, so your audience can still see who created the effect first. Properly crediting the original creator shows appreciation for their work and creativity. Overall, duetting is a great way to engage with effects made by other users and participate in trends on TikTok.
Source: https://support.tiktok.com/en/using-tiktok/creating-videos/duets
Challenges Featuring Effects
One fun way to use TikTok effects is by participating in viral challenges that utilize special effects. These challenges often encourage users to get creative and make their own videos using an effect that relates to the challenge theme.
For example, the #InvisibleChallenge had TikTokers pretending to be invisible using an invisibility effect. The #FlipTheSwitch challenge had users swapping outfits when a light switch effect played. Other challenges have incorporated branded effects from sponsors, like the #TapInBackItUpChallenge that used the branded Megan Thee Stallion song and dance effect.
Participating in challenges that use unique effects is a great way to get creative, engage with trending content, and potentially reach new audiences. It allows TikTokers to put their own spin on an effect within the framework of a viral challenge.
Best Practices
When using TikTok effects, it’s important to follow best practices to create high-quality videos that showcase creativity. According to the TikTok Effect House guide on best practices, creators should use effects to enhance their content, not replace it. Effects should complement the video’s purpose and storytelling. Overusing flashy effects can detract from the main focus. Moderation is key.
Proper credit also goes a long way. If an effect was created by someone else, try to credit the developer in the caption or comments when possible. This shows appreciation for their work and helps spread awareness. TikTok has an active community of creators who build effects for others to use, so recognizing them keeps that cycle going. The end goal is promoting creativity, not claiming originality in effects.
Most importantly, effects should never overshadow the core message. With the right balance of effects and purposeful content, TikTok creators can maximize their potential and produce truly engaging videos.
Effect Copyright and Licensing
Like other creative works, certain TikTok effects can be copyrighted or trademarked by their creators. This means the creator retains exclusive rights to the effect and you must get their permission before using it on your video.
Be aware that using a copyrighted or trademarked effect without permission could result in your video being taken down or other legal action. Many popular effects like the “Time Warp Scan” and “Green Screen” are restricted and can only be used with permission from TikTok.
If you want to feature a specific effect in your video, double check that it is not restricted or copyrighted. Look for a warning on the effect thumbnail or description. You should reach out to the creator directly if it appears to be restricted.
Using only original effects you create yourself or those marked as free to use is the best way to avoid any issues. But always be respectful of creators’ intellectual property, get permission when required, and give credit appropriately.
Conclusion
When used creatively, TikTok effects can help take your videos to the next level. We covered the major ways to find and use effects – browsing the Effects menu, using trending effects, creating your own, and more. The key is to experiment and have fun seeing which effects fit your style. The huge range of effects on TikTok means you can almost always find something new and interesting to try.
Effects are a core part of what makes TikTok such an engaging platform. They help add humor, interest, and production value to videos. As you get more familiar with the different effects available, you’ll likely find some go-to favorites to use regularly. But don’t be afraid to also try new effects as they emerge. With the right effects, you can create truly eye-catching and memorable videos!
