TikTok is expanding its comment section tools with the introduction of voice comments, comment polls, photo carousel comments, and Live Photo comments. The social network announced the rollout on Thursday, positioning the new features as a way to make comment sections more interactive spaces where users can engage with each other, rather than just leaving feedback under a video. The company noted that sound and music have always been central to the platform, and the new voice feature aims to bring that same audio-driven energy to the comment section.
Voice comments allow users to tap a microphone icon in the comment box and record an audio message of up to one minute long. Once posted, any user can tap to listen to the recording. A TikTok spokesperson stated that voice comments are held to the same Community Guidelines as all other content on the platform. The company uses a mix of human review and automated detection tools, including speech-to-text transcription, to spot and remove content that violates its policies. Voice comments are now rolling out globally over the next month, but only for users aged 18 and older.
The polls feature is aimed directly at creators, who can now add a poll when commenting on their own videos. This tool had previously been available to some users, but it is now being offered globally. Creators can include up to five options in a poll, and they can set a time frame for how long the voting period lasts. As votes come in, TikTok says creators can track results directly within the comment section, with suggested uses ranging from picking the next video idea to deciding on an outfit or meal choice.
Photo comments are also being upgraded. Previously, users could attach only a single photo to a comment, but now they can add up to nine photos in a carousel format. Alongside that change, TikTok is rolling out Live Photo comments, which the company says will provide a brief burst of motion before showing a still image. Live Photo comments are available globally now, while the photo carousel feature is set to roll out over the next month.
These updates borrow from features common in messaging apps, signaling TikTok鈥檚 broader push to increase how long users spend in comment threads. The company has not disclosed specific engagement metrics tied to the new tools. The voice and photo additions depend on user adoption, and the polls feature gives creators a more direct way to gather feedback from their audiences.
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