TikTok Notes: Everything You Need to Know About TikTok's Instagram Rival

TikTok and Instagram have long been engaged in a game of cat and mouse, each borrowing features from the other in a bid to outshine their rival.

With TikTok Notes, this trend continues, blurring the lines between the two platforms.

So, let’s get to know the latest social media addition!

What’s TikTok Notes?

TikTok Notes is a photo-sharing app developed by TikTok to encourage TikTok users to share more photo-text content.

It’s available only in Canada and Australia for “limited testing”.

It’s a smooth way for TikTok to attract more visually-oriented creators who may be more focused on creating content for Instagram and Pinterest.

Now you may be wondering, if it’s a photo-sharing app, why is it named TikTok Notes?

Well, my friend, that's a legitimate question, but nobody knows the answer.

Here is how TikTok describes Notes:

A lifestyle platform that offers informative photo-text content about people's lives, where you can see individuals sharing their travel tips, daily recipes.

How TikTok Notes Work?

Once you download the app (which you can find in the App Store), there is no need to sign up for a new account or log in with one.

All that is required is to sync your TikTok Notes with your current TikTok account. Yes, exactly the way you sync Instagram with Threads :)

Note that when you first open your account and sync it with your TikTok, you start with zero followers.

On TikTok Notes, each post can include up to 34 images and has a character limit of 4,000 characters.

Just like its parent app, TikTok Notes offers users the ability to toggle between two distinct feeds: 'Following' and 'For You'.

One of the odd features of TikTok Notes, which I'm sure will be updated soon, is that once you click on a post, you can't scroll down because there's no content below. To view another post, you must return to the 'For You' or 'Following' feed and scroll until you find the post you want.

The existing and future public photo posts you already have published in your current TikTok profile will be shown automatically on the TikTok Notes app, unless you configure them not to.

When Will TikTok Notes Roll Out?

TikTok officially launched TikTok Notes on April 17, 2024, in Canada and Australia.

As of April 24, 2024, TikTok has not provided an official date for when the app will be globally available or when it will expand to more countries and regions.

Please note that TikTok Notes is still in the testing phase.

The company will rely on feedback and suggestions from Canadian and Australian users to reshape the app.
This means that the way the app operates and looks may change over time.

It may take some time before it is available to the whole world.  Especially in the US due to the proposed ban by the US state.

Comparing TikTok Notes and Instagram

One standout feature in TikTok Notes is the ability to add headlines above the captions, offering a unique touch that deviates from Instagram's current design.

The layout bears a resemblance to Pinterest's homepage, though it uses a smaller two-column grid.

Unlike Instagram, which limits post characters to 2,200, TikTok Notes allows up to 4,000 characters.

From a carousel perspective, TikTok Notes supports up to 34 images per post, compared to Instagram's limit of 10.

For a while now, TikTok has been nudging its users to embrace the new TikTok carousels.

And now, it all makes sense.

Every single and carousel-style photo shared on TikTok will find a new home on TikTok Notes.

Frequently Asked Questions on TikTok Notes

• Can I access TikTok Notes from my browser?

No, you can't access TikTok Notes from a browser. TikTok Notes is an app that you need to download.

• In which countries is TikTok Notes available?

TikTok Notes is only available in Australia and Canada.

• Do I need to sign up for a new account on TikTok Notes?

No, there's no need to sign up for a new account when you download the TikTok Notes app.

• Where can I find the TikTok Notes app?

The TikTok Notes app is available on the App Store.

• Is TikTok Notes available in the US?

No, currently TikTok Notes is not available in the US. It is likely that TikTok is waiting for a resolution on the proposed ban by the US Senate.