TikTok is a popular video-sharing social media platform that allows users to create and share short videos, often set to music. Since launching in 2016, TikTok has grown to over 1 billion monthly active users worldwide. On the mobile app, users can film, edit and post videos and interact with other content creators. One feature that many users request is the ability to add links in their TikTok bio or posts to drive traffic to external websites. Unlike other platforms like Instagram and Twitter, adding clickable links on TikTok is limited. This leads many to wonder – why can’t I add a website link on TikTok?
This article will examine the website link feature on TikTok, reasons it may be unavailable or limited for some users, and workarounds to share external links through the platform.
What is the TikTok Website
The TikTok website at www.tiktok.com allows users to access TikTok content and features through a web browser on their computer or mobile device. While the core TikTok experience lives within the mobile app, the TikTok website provides a limited subset of key capabilities.
On the website, users can view the For You feed of recommended videos, search for content and creators, and access profile pages. However, creating or uploading content is not possible on the website. Some key features like duets, reactions, and live streaming are also not available.
Additionally, the website has a different interface and navigation compared to the mobile app. There is no horizontal scrolling feed, and the sidebar navigation highlights Top Livestreams, Trending, Games, Shopping, and more. Overall, the website allows basic viewing but lacks the full creative tools and community engagement options of the mobile app.
Why the Website is Limited
The TikTok website has limited functionality compared to the mobile app. Features like uploading videos, live streaming, and using filters are not available on the website. This is by design, as TikTok has focused primarily on optimizing the experience for mobile users.
There are a few key reasons why the TikTok website is more limited than the app:
- Mobile Focus – As a mobile-first platform, TikTok is tailored for thumb-scrolling and vertical video. The website is more of an afterthought and lacks some core features.
- Encouraging App Installs – By limiting the website functionality, TikTok nudges users to download the app for the full experience. This helps grow their mobile user base.
- Technical Limitations – Some features like camera access and haptic feedback rely on device capabilities not available to web browsers.
Essentially, the website exists as a supplementary option for occasional viewers. TikTok’s product roadmap prioritizes building an engaging mobile experience over supporting robust web functionality. The website lags behind the app by design.
Geographic Availability
Currently, the TikTok website is only available in certain countries. According to TikTok’s ads website, the TikTok website is available in the following locations: Australia, Egypt, Korea, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa (https://ads.tiktok.com/help/article/placements-available-locations).
The TikTok website has not yet been rolled out globally for a few potential reasons. First, as a relatively new platform, TikTok may be taking a staggered approach to expanding website access, prioritizing certain key markets first. Second, there may be regulatory hurdles in some countries that need to be cleared before launching the website. And third, TikTok’s owners may prefer mobile growth initially, since TikTok is fundamentally a mobile-first app experience.
However, TikTok has stated its intention to continue improving and expanding its website capabilities over time. As the platform grows, we can likely expect to see the website extended to more countries and regions across the globe.
Age Restrictions
TikTok has various age restrictions in place for accessing the website based on safety concerns. According to TikTok’s Guardian’s Guide, in the US, TikTok does not permit children under 13 to create accounts. Additionally, accounts between ages 13-15 have direct messaging automatically disabled.
These age restrictions aim to provide increased safety and privacy protections for younger users. As social media can expose children to inappropriate content or online interactions, TikTok aims to create a more controlled experience for teenagers under 16. Limiting functionality like direct messaging reduces potential risks of unwanted contact or exposure to mature content at younger ages.
Overall, the age restrictions for the TikTok website serve to create an age-appropriate environment, particularly with safety concerns around younger minors. These limitations allow teenage users to access TikTok, but with enhanced restrictions compared to older users.
Monetization Differences Between Website and App
There are some key differences in monetization features between the TikTok website and mobile app. On the app, TikTok offers robust monetization through the Creator Fund, tipping, live gifts, sponsorships, and more (TikTok Help Center). However, many of these features are not available on the TikTok website at this time.
The TikTok Creator Fund allows popular creators to earn money based on the engagement on their videos. This program is currently only available on the mobile app. Tipping and live gifts allow fans to directly support creators by sending them monetary gifts during live streams, but this is also limited to the mobile app.
Sponsorships are possible on both platforms, but the website lacks some of the monetization analytics available in the app. Overall, TikTok’s monetization is heavily focused on the mobile experience right now. The website is more limited likely because TikTok is still primarily used via the mobile app by creators and viewers alike.
As the website develops further, TikTok may add more monetization features. But for now, creators will find far more monetization opportunities through the mobile app experience. The website serves a different purpose – allowing users to more easily browse and search content.
Future Website Improvements
TikTok has hinted at several planned developments for improving their website capabilities in the future. According to TikTok’s What’s Next 2024 Trend Report, TikTok plans to build “an extended reality ecosystem powered by Creator innovation that invites the TikTok community to reimagine entertainment, gaming and commerce experiences.”
This suggests potential new website features like augmented reality try-on capabilities, 3D product views, and immersive shopping experiences. TikTok’s ecommerce lead Mike Mignano said at the 2022 National Retail Federation conference that the company is looking into launching fulfilment centers in the US to enable creators to sell products directly via the TikTok app and website.
Other rumored upcoming developments include live-streaming shopping capabilities, backend creator tools for managing ecommerce, and native affiliate linking according to social media consultant Matt Navarra (source). The goal seems to be transforming TikTok into a robust platform for creators to engage audiences and sell products directly.
Why a Mobile Focus
TikTok has prioritized the mobile experience since its inception for several key reasons. As a platform built around creating and sharing short-form video content, TikTok recognized early on that mobile was the natural environment for this format. The rise of powerful smartphone cameras and fast mobile networks made it easy for anyone to create and upload high-quality videos on-the-go. TikTok’s core demographic of teenagers and young adults has also fueled the mobile focus, as these users predominantly access social media through their smartphones.
The benefits of TikTok developing native mobile apps are significant. Well-designed, responsive mobile apps provide the best user experience and interface for navigating the platform. Features like swipe navigation, tapping to like, and a full-screen viewing mode are seamless on mobile. Apps also allow access to device capabilities like camera, microphone, and storage that enable content creation. Push notifications keep users engaged by alerting them to new videos and activity. Finally, mobile apps facilitate rapid product development cycles and updates that maintain a fresh, evolving platform.
In summary, as a social network centered around short, user-generated video, TikTok gains tremendous advantages by optimizing for the mobile environment. Native mobile apps provide the ideal interface and tools for both consuming and creating content on-the-go. TikTok’s status as one of the world’s fastest growing social platforms demonstrates the wisdom of its mobile-first strategy.
Accessing TikTok Online
Even though TikTok does not have a fully featured web experience, there are still ways to access and watch TikTok videos online without downloading the mobile app:
Use the TikTok mobile site – You can access a basic mobile version of TikTok by going to tiktok.com on your web browser. This will let you browse hashtags, view profiles, and watch videos.
Browser extensions – Browser extensions like Video Downloader for Chrome allow you to save and download TikTok videos to watch offline later.
Web apps – Services like ssstik.io offer a TikTok experience optimized for web browsers. You can scroll through your For You feed and interact with videos.
By utilizing these tips, you can enjoy TikTok content online through your desktop or laptop without needing to use the mobile app.
Conclusion
In summary, while TikTok does have a website version at www.tiktok.com, its functionality is limited compared to the mobile app experience. The website is restricted in certain countries and doesn’t contain key features like uploading videos or the full For You feed. This is because TikTok is designed as a mobile-first platform, focused on creating and viewing short videos on a smartphone.
The main reason most users can’t access the full TikTok website is due to geographic restrictions. Currently, the website is only fully available in certain markets like the US and UK. The website also has age restrictions, requiring users to be over 13 years old.
For those that want to access TikTok content online, the best option is to use a desktop browser or web version of the mobile app. This allows you to login and access core features like your profile, likes, messages, and Following feed. While limited compared to mobile, it provides one way to get a TikTok experience on a PC or laptop.
