TikTok is currently testing a new engagement feature closely resembling the “streaks” popularized by Snapchat, as it seeks to increase user interaction and time spent on the platform.
The company has confirmed that this feature is being trialed but has not issued any formal statement regarding its broader intentions or potential roll-out. This experimental feature is accessible only to a select group of users in limited markets.
How TikTok Streaks Work
The mechanics of maintaining a streak on TikTok are straightforward: users must direct message (DM) another individual on the platform for at least three consecutive days. Successfully doing so awards them a “streak badge,” which is displayed prominently in the chat window alongside the number of consecutive days the streak has been maintained.
TikTok users have recently taken to social media to share their experiences and screenshots of the streak feature appearing in their app.
If users do not send a message within a 24-hour window following the last sent message, the streak terminates. To encourage continued engagement, TikTok prompts users with a notification when their streak is in jeopardy of ending.
Users who prefer not to receive these alerts can disable them by navigating to Settings > Privacy > Notifications > Streak settings, where they can also opt out of in-app streak notifications entirely.
Historically, Snapchat has utilized streaks as a social metric, symbolizing the strength and frequency of interactions between friends. It has become a coveted status symbol among users, demonstrating the depth of their social connections. In response to the feature’s popularity, Snapchat has monetized streak maintenance by allowing users to pause and restore streaks for a fee, thereby enhancing its value and utility to users.
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