TikTok is rolling out a suite of new features designed to give users more control over their For You feed. These updates, announced today, include a Manage Topics feature, an enhanced Smart Keyword Filter, and an educational guide explaining how the For You feed operates. The goal is to empower users to tailor their content experience, discover new interests, and connect with creators more effectively.

Personalising the For You Feed

The For You feed is central to the TikTok experience, serving as a space where users discover diverse content, and creators build communities. Success stories like BoxToBox Regista, which provides football highlights, and Juneclairedontre, a movie review content creator, demonstrate the For You feed’s ability to amplify voices and foster connections.

“The For You feed is what makes TikTok a place like no other to discover your favorite new interests or grow a thriving community,” said Adam Presser, Head of Operations & Trust & Safety. “With our new features, you can manage topics you want to see in your For You feed and limit keywords and hashtags you’d rather skip, so that it’s easier than ever to find creators, hobbies, and content you love.”

Manage Topics

The new Manage Topics feature allows users to customise how frequently they see content across more than 10 popular categories, including Creative Arts, Travel, Nature, and Sports. This feature enables users to fine-tune their For You feed, ensuring it aligns with their evolving interests.

Users can adjust their preferences with a few taps.
The settings influence how often content is recommended.
It helps communities discover new topics and creators.

Smart Keyword Filtering

TikTok’s enhanced Smart Keyword Filter expands content filtering by including synonyms and related terms. This helps users avoid content they want to see less of.

The feature increases the effectiveness of content filtering.
TikTok will double the number of keywords users can include to 200.
Users can add keywords in bulk and select related keywords for filtering.

TikTok’s custom keyword filters have already been used more than 190 million times by users worldwide.

Educational Initiatives

To help users understand the For You feed, TikTok is launching an educational guide. This resource provides practical tips and tools.

The guide helps users understand and personalise their feeds.
It includes features explaining why content was recommended.
Educational videos have received over 180 million views globally.

Safety and Safeguards

These updates are available for both teen and adult accounts. TikTok has implemented several safeguards.

Strict For You feed eligibility standards restrict inappropriate content.
Content Levels prevent mature themes from reaching teens.
Tools allow users to refresh their For You feed and indicate disinterest in videos.
Restricted Mode limits content for broader audiences.
Steps are taken to interrupt frequent recommendations of potentially problematic content.

Conclusion

TikTok’s new features empower users to explore, learn, and discover content and creators. By providing greater control over the For You feed, TikTok aims to create a more personalised and engaging experience for its global community.