TikTok tests 60-minute videos, a direct threat to YouTube

TikTok representatives said the new feature is only being tested with a limited group of users in certain markets. There is currently no specific information about which markets the company will apply this feature to, when it will be deployed, and specific regulations.

The testing phase is currently underway to gather user feedback and fine-tune any limitations, if any, to make the new feature work more smoothly.

Increasing the time for videos on TikTok allows users to be creative and diversify the content they post, according to the technology information site.TechCrunch.

The move is a challenge to long-form video platform YouTube, and also affects other companies such as Netflix and Disney+.

TikTok initially limited the length of each video on the platform to just 15 seconds, but the company has steadily increased the length limit over the past few years.

The short-video platform with more than 1 billion users worldwide is facing competitive pressure and political pressure in the US - one of its key markets.

Other giants like YouTube and Instagram have launched their own features to compete directly with TikTok, according to the site.Business Insider.

Nearly 94% of TikTok users in the US visited YouTube in the past 90 days, according to a report from data firm Sensor Tower in March.

Additionally, 80% of TikTok users use Instagram and 68% have a Facebook account, both of which are owned by parent company Meta.

However, TikTok is surpassing YouTube in terms of viewing time. Users spend an average of 55 minutes a day browsing TikTok, 5 minutes more than watching YouTube, according to data from US market research firm eMarketer.

eMarketer analyst Sara Lebow said that because TikTok is a short-form content platform, users will find that TikTok videos have been shortened and then go to YouTube to watch the full version. Increasing the video length can help users watch the full content on TikTok.