TikTok has taken the world of social media by storm, captivating users with its short-form videos filled with creativity and entertainment. From lip-syncing to catchy songs to showcasing hilarious skits and dance routines, the platform has become a go-to for users of all ages. If you’ve been using TikTok for a while, you may have noticed a new trend popping up on your For You page – ‘Connected To You’. But what does it mean, and why is it appearing in your feed? Let’s dive in and unravel the mystery behind this TikTok phenomenon.
What is ‘Connected To You’ on TikTok?
Many users have reported seeing a ‘Connected To You’ tag on the bottom left of videos on their For You page. This tag indicates that the video is from someone who is either in your contacts or has your contact information stored on their phone. Essentially, TikTok is leveraging the data from your phone number and the contact lists of your acquaintances to curate a personalized feed featuring people you may know.
How does ‘Connected To You’ work?
While TikTok hasn’t provided an official explanation for this feature yet, it is believed that the ‘Connected To You’ tag appears when you have shared your phone’s contact details with TikTok or signed up using your primary phone number. Although the feature is being rolled out gradually around the world, some users on iOS have reported seeing ‘Connected To You’ as ‘From your contacts’. This suggests that TikTok might be refining the feature as it tests different tags for the same functionality.
Is the ‘Family pairing’ feature related?
You may wonder if TikTok’s recently launched ‘Family pairing’ feature is behind the ‘Connected To You’ trend. However, ‘Family pairing’ focuses on parental controls and safety settings for children on TikTok, rather than influencing the content shown on your For You page. Therefore, the two features are likely unrelated, serving different purposes within the app.
Why do some videos show the ‘Connected To You’ tag?
If you come across the ‘Connected To You’ tag while scrolling through your For You page, it indicates that you have the video creator’s phone number saved in your contacts. However, the exact criteria for displaying this tag remains unclear. Some users have reported seeing the tag even when they have no apparent connection with the video creator, which suggests that TikTok’s algorithm might be experiencing some glitches. Nonetheless, videos with the ‘Connected To You’ tag often feature friends, family, or individuals you may have known in the past, adding a touch of familiarity to your TikTok experience.
User Reactions and Concerns
The introduction of the ‘Connected To You’ tag has sparked mixed reactions among TikTok users. Some have expressed feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable with the sudden appearance of videos from people they know in their For You feed, while others welcome the opportunity to reconnect with friends from the past. Whether you love it or find it intrusive, this new feature has certainly ignited conversations and reactions across the platform.
How to disable ‘Connected To You’ on TikTok?
If you prefer not to see videos with the ‘Connected To You’ tag on your For You page, you can adjust your privacy settings on TikTok. While this method doesn’t guarantee that the tag will stop appearing completely, it will likely prevent people in your contacts from viewing your content. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Open TikTok on your phone and navigate to your profile tab.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu button at the top right and select the ‘Privacy and Safety’ option under Account.
Step 3: Toggle off the switch next to ‘Allow others to find me’ under the Discoverability section.
Keep in mind that this will limit the visibility of your account to only those who already follow you, reducing the likelihood of appearing in the For You feed of others.
So, there you have it – the ins and outs of the ‘Connected To You’ trend on TikTok. Whether you’re excited to see familiar faces or prefer a more serendipitous experience, TikTok continues to evolve and surprise us with new features. What are your thoughts on the ‘Connected To You’ tag? Let us know in the comments!
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