TikTok is a popular short-form video app that allows users to create, share, and discover 15 to 60 second videos. Since launching internationally in 2018, TikTok has amassed over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. One of the app’s key features is the comment section below each video where viewers can interact.
TikTok comments allow users to respond to videos, connect with creators, and build community. However, one limitation is that comments cannot be formatted with line breaks or paragraphs in the mobile app or desktop site. Users have found creative ways to get around this limitation and stand out.
Why Go Down a Line?
Using line breaks in TikTok comments can improve the readability and clarity of longer comments. Paragraphs that are dense blocks of text can be difficult to parse for some readers. Breaking up long comments into readable chunks makes them more digestible. As noted in this source, paragraph breaks act like double spaces between lines of text, allowing readers to naturally pause and process each section.
Line breaks also aid screen reader users, as pointed out by this source, since it’s easier for the technology to parse shorter paragraphs. Visually, line breaks look cleaner and less dense than a wall of text. While comments have character limits, breaking them into readable sections makes the content more scannable and digestible for the audience.
Line Breaks on Desktop
To add a line break in your TikTok comment when using the desktop website, you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift+Enter. This will allow you to go down to a new line without submitting the comment. Here’s how it works:
Simply type out your comment as normal. When you want to go down to a new line, hold down the Shift key and hit Enter. This will insert a line break in your comment text. You can repeat this as many times as needed to break your comment into paragraphs or split it across multiple lines.
For example:
This is the first line of my comment text.
And here is the second line!
The Shift+Enter shortcut is the easiest way to add line breaks and structure your long comments when using TikTok on the desktop. It’s the equivalent of hitting Return or Enter twice but without actually submitting the comment. This allows you to arrange your text in a readable way across multiple lines before posting.
Some key pointers when using Shift+Enter for TikTok line breaks on desktop:
- Make sure to press Shift and Enter keys together to insert the line break.
- You can press the key combination multiple times to break into more lines.
- The line break won’t show up immediately but will render when you post.
- You can preview your comment to check line formatting before submitting.
Line Breaks on Mobile
On mobile devices like iPhones and Android phones, the return/enter key works a bit differently than on desktop keyboards. Rather than immediately starting a new line, tapping the return/enter key on mobile will first insert a space. To actually insert a line break, you need to tap the return/enter key twice in a row. This will force the cursor to the next line and add a line break in your TikTok comment.[1]
The reason for this difference is that mobile keyboards have limited space and combine multiple functions into keys. The return/enter key on mobile is working more like a spacebar with each single tap. The double tap is needed to indicate you want a true line break instead of just a space between words. So when writing a comment on mobile, remember to double-tap return if you want your text to continue on the next line.[2]
Alternative Formatting Options
In addition to line breaks, there are some other formatting options you can use in TikTok comments:
- Bullet points – To create a bulleted list, start a line with an asterisk (*) followed by a space before your text.
- Numbered lists – For a numbered list, start a line with the number 1 followed by a period and space before your text. You can continue numbering sequentially on additional lines.
For example:
* This is my first bullet point
* Here is another bullet
1. First item in numbered list
2. Second item follows
You can also use other characters for formatting like underscores (_) or tildes (~) to italicize or bold your text. Basic markdown formatting is supported in TikTok comments.
However, options are more limited than other platforms. You cannot change font sizes, colors or add images/links.
Character Limits
TikTok limits each comment to a maximum of 150 characters in length. This relatively low limit was likely implemented by TikTok to encourage users to be concise and precise in their comments. According to Character Counter, the 150 character limit helps maintain conversations that are easy to read and follow. With shorter comments, users can respond to each other rapidly without lengthy walls of text.
However, some users find the 150 character maximum to be restrictive, especially when trying to provide meaningful feedback or have an in-depth discussion. As noted on Reddit, the limited space for text can contribute to lower quality conversations on the platform. Users looking to provide thoughtful commentary may need to creatively work within the confines of the character limit.
Overall, the relatively short per-comment limit exemplifies TikTok’s emphasis on brevity. While this can benefit engagement, it also constrains users wanting to contribute substantial written responses.
Using Emojis and Symbols
Emojis and symbols like the dash (-) or tilde (~) can be used in TikTok comments for visual separation or emphasis. According to Social Pilot, emojis help make messaging more fun and eye-catching. Their research shows posts with emojis get more engagement. The top emojis for social media are smileys like 😊, hand gestures like 👋, and hearts ❤️.
Symbols like the dash can split up sections of text, almost like creating separate paragraphs. The tilde acts similarly to create space between lines. Using relevant emojis at the start of sections can also format your comment. Just be sure to use them appropriately and not excessively.
Engagement Benefits
Proper formatting and readability can lead to increased engagement on social media posts. According to a study by Shahbaznezhad (2021), “Low media richness (photo format) positively stimulates passive engagement behavior” (source). When posts are easier to read due to formatting like line breaks, lists, and headings, users are more likely to fully read the content. This can lead to more likes, comments, shares, and other engagement metrics.
As explained by Aktion Interactive (2023), “Formatting is not merely about aesthetics; it significantly impacts the readability of your social media posts. People skim through their feeds, so you want to make your content as easy to digest as possible” (source). Proper formatting through line breaks, bullet points, emojis, and other tools allows users to quickly grasp your message and engages them to interact. Increased engagement provides validation and extends your reach.
Drawbacks of Line Breaks
While line breaks can improve readability, there are some drawbacks to consider:
Formatting limitations – Line breaks are the only formatting option for TikTok comments. You cannot bold, italicize, or underline text. This limits how you can emphasize important points or differentiate sections.
Character limits – TikTok comments are capped at 150 characters. With line breaks taking up space, you have even less room to make your point. Excess line breaks can eat up valuable characters quickly.
Summary
To recap, here are some of the main takeaways for how to go down to a new line when writing comments on TikTok:
- On desktop, hit Shift + Enter to start a new line.
- On mobile, type your text, hit Enter, then tap the Return icon to start a new line.
- You can add some spacing by using emojis, symbols or periods between lines.
- Keep in mind TikTok has a 150 character limit for comments.
- Breaking up long comments into readable sections can increase engagement.
With these tips, you can write clear, organized comments on TikTok. Formatting your thoughts into separate lines will make long comments more readable. Just be mindful of the character count, and utilize the return and shift+enter hacks to create line spaces.
