TikTok has introduced a new feature that allows users to refresh their For You feeds if they feel that existing recommendations are no longer relevant to their interests. This comes as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to provide an enjoyable viewing experience while balancing goals of self-expression and diversity of content.
TikTok offers different ways to discover new content, from personalized recommendations in the For You feed to popular content in the Explore feed. Users craft recommendations for the For You feed when they follow creators, search for content, and engage with videos (likes, comments, bookmarks).
How modernization encourages content diversity
the new Update feature It will allow users to reset their For You feeds as if they just signed up for a new TikTok account with a fresh start on content recommendations. TikTok will start rolling out new content recommendations based on new interactions with creators and videos.
This feature will not overwrite any settings you have in your existing content preferences, such as filters for specific keywords, restricted content, and hidden creators.
TikTok hopes this move will reduce repetitive content so that users can continue to discover new things. The platform usually avoids recommending consecutive videos from the same creator or using the same audio.
TikTok is committed to creating a safe and enjoyable viewing experience for its users by removing content that violates our Community Guidelines, reducing harmful topics in recommendations, and filtering mature topics for younger audiences with content levelsa system similar to movie and television ratings.
Additionally, TikTok limits content that may adhere to its Community Guidelines but negatively impact user experience if viewed too frequently, such as videos with themes of grief, excessive exercise, a restricted diet, or sexually suggestive material.
While TikTok encourages users to express themselves, even during difficult times, it also wants to prevent the promotion of self-harm or other harmful content to others.
Additional ways to reset your content recommendations
Users who want to update recommendations in the For You feed can still do so, even without the new update feature. Under Account & Privacy Settings, in Comments & Watch History, you can select and delete some or all of the videos you’ve watched.
This has two benefits: it removes your account from your video viewing history and it removes the video from being a factor in your future recommendations.
You can also visit your content preferences and filter specific keywords and hashtags. This will remove videos with these keywords and hashtags from your For You and Follow feeds.
To continue forming recommendations in the For You feed, you can use the “Not Interested” option when you see a video that you don’t want to see again. You can find this option when you click the share arrow on a video.
Screenshot from TikTok, March 2023Educational content improvements
The new update feature comes after TikTok’s recent announcement on its STEM feed. The new feed of STEM videos will be evaluated by third parties to ensure it is safe for children and includes accurate information for educational purposes.
Douyin, the version of TikTok available in China, confirms indeed educational content on entertaining younger audiences to positively influence the next generation.
Featured image: nikkimeel/Shutterstock
