What is a TikTok Watermark?
A TikTok watermark is a small logo or text that is automatically added to videos created and uploaded through the TikTok app. According to this HootSuite article, the watermark usually contains the TikTok logo and the username of the person who uploaded the video.
The main purpose of the TikTok watermark is to identify the source and prevent unauthorized use of the content. As noted in this TikTok video by @hannahsocialfolk, adding a watermark helps attribute the video to the original creator and indicates that the content is owned by TikTok. This allows TikTok to protect the copyright of videos made on the platform.
Why Remove the TikTok Watermark?
There are several reasons why someone may want to remove the TikTok watermark from their videos:
Monetization – If you want to monetize your TikTok videos on other platforms like YouTube or Facebook, the watermark could prevent you from doing so or divert traffic back to TikTok. Removing the watermark allows you to freely monetize the content elsewhere.
Privacy – The watermark identifies you as the original creator on TikTok. If you wish to post anonymously or under a pseudonym on other platforms, removing the watermark helps protect your privacy.
Aesthetics – Some find the watermark distracting or unappealing. Removing it creates a cleaner, more professional look.
Branding – You may want to brand the video yourself without TikTok’s logo on it.
Ownership – Taking off the watermark asserts your ownership and control over the content.
Removing Watermarks Within the TikTok App
One of the easiest ways to remove the TikTok watermark is to use the in-app editing tools. TikTok has several features that allow you to cover up the watermark on your videos without having to use any third party apps or software.
When editing your video in the TikTok app, you can add stickers, text boxes, emoji, drawings, and other overlays that will cover the watermark in the corner. Simply tap on the “Stickers” icon when editing your video and browse the options to find one you like. Drag and resize the sticker to cover the watermark.
You can also add text boxes from the “Text” menu that will overlay on top of the video. Position the text box in the corner to hide the watermark. This allows you to customize the text, color, fonts and more to seamlessly blend over the watermark area.
Drawing tools are another option within TikTok to scribble or doodle over the watermark area. Using the “Draw” icon, freehand a quick sketch or shape to mask the watermark spot.
With a combination of stickers, text, and drawings, you can overlay creative elements on your TikTok videos to remove the watermark without any external apps or software needed.
Using Third-Party Apps to Remove Watermarks
There are several third-party apps available on both iOS and Android that allow you to edit and remove the TikTok watermark from your videos. Some of the most popular and effective options include:
Inshot – This free video editing app has advanced tools like crop, cut, merge, add stickers, music, and text. You can easily remove watermarks using the “erase” function.
CapCut – CapCut is one of the best apps for creative TikTok editing. It has a feature to seamlessly erase watermarks from videos.
Vita – Vita’s video editor allows you to customize videos and photos. You can eliminate any watermarks on TikTok downloads with just a few clicks.
These apps offer user-friendly interfaces and powerful editing tools to give you complete control over your TikTok videos, including removing those pesky watermarks.
Using Video Editing Software
One of the most effective options for removing the TikTok watermark is to use video editing software like Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, or iMovie. These sophisticated tools allow you to crop, zoom, and reframe footage to cut out the watermark. Here’s how it works:
Import your TikTok video into your editing software. Locate the watermark, which is usually in the lower right or lower left corner. Zoom in on the footage and adjust the crop to remove the watermark from the frame. You can also use keyframes to animate the crop and zoom over time, slowly zooming in to cut out the watermark.
Save your edited video, being careful not to degrade the quality. The resulting export should have the watermark removed with minimal loss of quality. This method works for watermarks in the corners. Center watermarks may still show up depending on the cropping.
While this approach takes more work than app-based watermark removers, it allows precise control over the framing. With practice, video editors can isolate the watermark and crop it out frame-by-frame.[1]
Downloading Without the Watermark
One of the easiest ways to download a TikTok video without the watermark is to simply screen record the video as it plays in the app. This will capture a clean copy without any overlay. You can use built-in screen recording features on iOS and Android to do this. Just open the TikTok app, start the screen recorder, and play the video. Then stop the recording to save the copy without the watermark.
You can also use various websites and web-based tools to download TikTok videos without the watermark. For example, sites like SnapTik, TikDownloader, and SSSTik allow you to enter the URL of a TikTok video and then download an unwatermarked MP4 file. These sites do not require you to login or provide any personal information. They work by pulling the video file from TikTok’s servers. The download is fast and you get a clean, high-quality copy without the watermark overlay.
The advantage of using web-based download methods is convenience. You don’t need to screen record or install any additional apps. Just copy the share URL and paste it into the site to download. The only downside is sometimes these sites get blocked or shut down for violating TikTok’s terms of service.
Risks and Downsides
While removing the TikTok watermark may seem harmless, there are some important risks and downsides to consider:
Removing the watermark without permission from TikTok could lead to your account being banned for violating the platform’s terms of service. TikTok states that you cannot modify, edit, or change any of TikTok’s trademarks. Removing the watermark is considered altering and misusing TikTok’s trademarks, which could prompt them to terminate your account.
There are also potential copyright issues that arise when removing watermarks without consent. The TikTok watermark functions as a copyright management tool. By removing it, you are essentially claiming content that does not belong to you. This opens you up to potential copyright claims and DMCA takedown notices if you repost a video without the watermark.
It’s best to play it safe and keep the watermark intact unless you have explicit permission from TikTok to remove it. The small watermark in the corner is a fair tradeoff for being able to use the platform freely. Avoid risking your account or facing legal issues down the road by removing watermarks without consent.
TikTok Creator Fund and Monetization
The TikTok Creator Fund is a program where eligible creators can earn money from their videos. To join the Creator Fund, your account must meet certain criteria like having at least 10,000 authentic video views in the last 30 days. Once approved, TikTok will place ads on your content and you’ll earn a portion of the ad revenue based on engagement and viewership of your videos.
One requirement to be eligible for the Creator Fund is having the TikTok watermark on your videos. This identifies your content as original and prevents duplicating or unauthorized reuse. Removing or altering the watermark means your videos no longer meet the Creator Fund requirements. As a result, any videos without a watermark won’t generate ad revenue through the program.
In addition to the Creator Fund, creators can also earn money through TikTok’s LIVE Subscription feature for livestreams. To enable LIVE Subscriptions, you must be 18 years or older and complete the Creator Fund enrollment process. The same watermark requirements apply – removing the watermark from live videos would forfeit eligibility for LIVE Subscription monetization.
Essentially, any monetization through official TikTok partner programs depends on keeping the watermark intact. While removing the watermark may help some creators avoid infringement claims or brand issues, it eliminates the ability to earn ad revenue through TikTok’s monetization offerings. Creators should weigh these pros and cons when deciding whether to keep or remove watermarks.
Watermark Removal Services
There are companies that provide paid services for removing TikTok watermarks and reposting videos without watermarks. Some examples include:
Media.io offers a TikTok watermark removal service starting at $2.97 per video. They edit the video to erase the watermark and can also trim, crop, and enhance the video.
Digirette provides a custom TikTok watermark removal service, editing and reposting the video to your account without the watermark for a fee.
Companies like these cater to social media influencers and content creators who want to repost TikTok videos without watermarks for commercial use. However, using these services to repost others’ content without permission raises ethical concerns.
Conclusion
There are a few main methods to removing the TikTok watermark in your videos. Using third-party apps specifically designed to erase watermarks can be effective but risks getting your account banned if TikTok detects you violated their rules. Video editing software like Final Cut Pro also lets you edit out the watermark, but this requires a paid subscription. You can also download your TikTok videos through websites or apps, some of which provide the option to download without the watermark.
However, removing the TikTok watermark does come with some risks. Your videos could get taken down or your account suspended if TikTok discovers you broke their policies. The watermark also helps prevent other people from stealing and reposting your content. An alternative is posting natively to other platforms like YouTube or Instagram where you can monetize without a watermark.
Overall, removing the TikTok watermark gives you more control over your content but should be approached carefully. Weigh the pros and cons and consider your options before deciding what works best for your channel and brand.
