In early 2023, TikTok removed the Discover page from its app. This change has left many TikTok users wondering why the Discover page is gone and how they can still discover new content without it.
What Was the TikTok Discover Page?
The TikTok Discover page was introduced in 2020 as a way for users to easily find new content and creators to follow. It featured different categories like Food, Animals, Comedy, DIY, and more. When you tapped on a category, you’d be shown popular hashtags and sounds related to that topic. It was a quick and easy way to plunge into TikTok rabbit holes around your interests.
Why Did TikTok Remove the Discover Page?
TikTok has not provided an official reason for removing the Discover page. However, there are a few possible explanations:
- To simplify the app interface – TikTok may have felt the Discover page was redundant or cluttering the experience.
- To focus discovery on the For You page – TikTok may want the For You page to be the main destination for discovering new content.
- Slow adoption – Usage metrics may have shown low engagement with the Discover page.
- Testing – TikTok is known for constantly testing changes to refine the app. Removing Discover could be a temporary test.
The Discover page may have overlapped too much with the way TikTok’s algorithm works on the For You page. Ultimately, TikTok likely wants to drive more traffic to the For You page as the core place users discover content.
How to Discover New Content Without the Discover Page
While the Discover page is gone, there are still plenty of ways to find new content and creators on TikTok:
Follow Trends and Hashtags
Pay attention to current trending hashtags and sounds within the app. Start following hashtags related to your interests to encounter more niche content tailored to you.
Interact With the For You Page
The TikTok algorithm curates the For You page by learning about your interests based on how you engage with videos. Be sure to like, comment, share, and follow creators from videos you enjoy to see more of that kind of content.
Follow Creators You Like
When you come across creators whose content you enjoy, follow them! This feeds their new videos into your Following feed. You can also check who similar creators are following for new account suggestions.
Search Specific Topics
Use TikTok’s search bar to look up specific topics, hobbies, sounds, places, or events you want to discover content around.
Browse Recommended Accounts
TikTok suggests accounts to follow based on your interactions. Check these recommendations for accounts posting about topics you’re interested in.
Ask for Suggestions
Ask friends, family, or other creators you follow for suggestions of accounts they love following. Great way to crowdsource new finds.
Tips for Easier Content Discovery Without the Page
It may take some adjusting to find new content without the Discover page. Here are some tips to make it easier:
- Actively follow hashtags so they don’t get lost in your feed.
- Tap “Not Interested” on videos that aren’t relevant so the algorithm improves.
- Check the Sounds and Topics pages for browsing hashtag content.
- Utilize TikTok search and filters to fine-tune your results.
- Follow meme and topic-specific accounts that frequently reshare content.
- Don’t just scroll endlessly through For You. Engage with content you enjoy.
The Future of Content Discovery on TikTok
It’s likely that TikTok will continue evolving how users discover new content. Possible changes include:
- An improved For You page with better personalization features.
- Revamped search and recommendation functions.
- New ways to follow hashtags or browse different interest-based feeds.
- Additional suggested accounts and influencer recommendations.
- Emergence of new third-party apps or sites indexing TikTok content.
TikTok wants to keep people engaged with the app, so making discovery seamless is key. While the loss of the Discover page is disappointing for some users, TikTok will likely double down on improving native discovery features in its place.
Final Tips on the Discover Page Removal
Here are some final tips on navigating TikTok without the Discover page:
- It may take time for the For You page to recalibrate to your interests.
- Utilize search and hashtags while the algorithm adjusts to your behavior.
- Finding new content takes more conscious effort without Discover.
- Check out TikTok’s Sounds and Topics pages as an alternative hub.
- Follow a diverse group of accounts to ensure varied content.
- Actively engage with videos and accounts you want to see more content from.
- Give TikTok’s recommendations a chance as they improve over time.
The loss of the Discover page is an adjustment, but TikTok still offers powerful discovery capabilities once you learn to leverage them fully. Pay close attention to the content you enjoy and TikTok will better cater to your tastes over time.
