TikTok has launched a range of new livestreaming features including multi-user streaming and the option to restrict livestreams to viewers aged over 18.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean that users will be able to livestream porn – that has been banned under the app’s policies since the start.
However, the video-sharing app suggests that the 18+ rule could be reserved for grown-up comedy routines or in case they talk about a “difficult life experience” that they would feel more comfortable sharing knowing that the audience is limited to adults.
A new Multi-Guest feature lets hosts livestream with up to five guests using a grid or panel layout. This can keep audiences engaged as they respond to questions, host how-to videos, or simply share a moment together with the community.
@tiktoklive_creator Go LIVE together via Multi-guest | Enjoy going LIVE with 5 guests; try it and#golivenow #multiguest ♬ original sound – TikTok LIVE Creator
When livestreaming, creators will also be able to flip the camera, add effects and stickers, filter comments, and add moderators if they haven’t already been assigned.
The minimum age to start livestreaming will also increase from 23 November. At present, users need to be 16 or over to start streaming but, from next month, they will need to be 18 years old.
TikTok is also updating its keyword filtering tool to help creators limit comments they don’t feel are appropriate. The updated tool will send a reminder to people and suggest new keywords they may want to consider adding to their filter list.
To do this, the tool looks at the content a creator most commonly removes from their LIVE, spotting similar words in these comments and then suggesting the host may want to add these words to their filter list. When TikTok tested this feature, it says it found that it nearly doubled those using keyword filtering when looking at the most popular LIVE creators.
