TikTok is expanding its desktop presence with significant new features aimed at competing directly with YouTube. The platform's latest web-based updates include several key improvements designed to enhance user experience and viewing capabilities.

Key Desktop Updates:

• Modular layout for better content organization
• Enhanced For You feed
• New Explore tab
• Immersive full-screen option for livestreams
• Floating video player
• Collections feature for organizing favorite videos
• Horizontal viewing mode for gaming content

Gaming streamers now have the flexibility to broadcast in both portrait and landscape orientations. Desktop users will see horizontal content by default, while mobile users can rotate their devices for landscape viewing. This update specifically targets the gaming audience currently dominated by Twitch and YouTube.

The new Collections feature mirrors YouTube's playlist functionality, allowing users to categorize and save their favorite content. The addition of the Explore page to desktop brings personalized content discovery similar to the mobile experience.

TikTok Product Manager Cody Puckett explains that these updates aim to translate the platform's mobile success to desktop while maintaining flexibility for users across devices.

While TikTok remains primarily mobile-focused, these desktop improvements represent a strategic move to compete with YouTube's 2.5 billion active users. The platform has also expanded its video length limits from the original 15-60 seconds to 10 minutes, with tests of 60-minute uploads currently underway.

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