TikTok’s New Edit Feature: Delete and Re-Edit Videos

TikTok is also announcing a “Delete and Re-Edit” feature that represents a departure from how content has been created on the platform. But it’s also an update that directly tackles a long-term struggle for creators and gives a reasonable way to approve all vs the need effect of much-won engagements.

The New Feature Explained

With the “Delete and Re-Edit” feature, users will keep all their views, likes, and comments even though they are editing after publishing. Here’s how it works:

1. After uploading their video, users can find the new option in the “More” menu.
2. This way, they can edit the raw video file on their device with whatever editing software they have.
3. Creators re-upload this updated version over the top of the old one, replacing it but keeping all engagement metrics.

Also Read: How TikTok is Changing the World of Social Media with Short-Form Video Content.

The new feature is a far cry from the former workflow, which would force creators to either live with an imperfect video or delete everything and publish it again, losing all engagement in the meantime.

What It Means for Content Creators

@artbynataliebonnetmonat Have you tried the “delete & re-edit” option? I just tried it on the same video twice in a row, here’s how it went so far… #creatorsearchinsights #deleteandreedit #editingtips #algorithm ♬ original sound – Natalie paints weddings 🎨💍

This feature debuts amidst several critical implications for the overall content creator community on TikTok:

1. Better Quality Control: This will give creators some wiggle room to make their content even BETTER after the initial upload once they notice it being turned around.
2. Less Pressure: Changing things and not losing engagement would take off a bit of the pressure to be perfect at the first upload.
3. Better Revision: Creators are also able to revamp their content based on the feedback of the audience without losing ground on what they have already made.
4. Protect From Loss Of Viral Potential: Save strong performing videos even further without concern that the video will reset any engagement metrics and start with a fresh clean slate.

What This Could Mean For TikTok’s Ecosystem

The “Delete and Re-Edit” function might further change the nature of TikTok content:

1. More Alpha and Beta Videos: With video creators having more time to tweak videos, overall content quality on the platform should get better.
2. Increased User Engagement: Regular users might trawl back through videos more than usual to see if creators have had time to update.
3. Creator Strategies Evolve: Content creators may find new strategies promoting improved iterations or audience-driven edits.
4. Misuse Concerns: Debate over whether creators can fully alter the content of a viral video.

Limitations and Considerations

And although this feature is a great tool, it does have some downsides to be aware of:

1. Frequency of Edits: We are not sure if there is a cap on how many times a video can be edited or timeframe to use this feature since the original upload.
2. Notifications: It is unclear whether viewers who engaged with a video will receive a notification that the video has been refreshed.
3. Version History: It remains to be seen whether TikTok will keep a version history showing all the edits that had been made on a video.
4. Discoverability and Promotion Approach: The biggest question sought after is how the TikTok algorithm would treat re-edited videos in the case of discoverability and promotion.

For the Greater Good of Social Media Evolution

That said, the advent of “Delete and Re-Edit” on TikTok is an interesting chapter in a larger narrative playing out across social media platforms of empowering creators with better content development and editing tools. This is an example of the professionalization—even as it becomes more amateur—of content on these platforms and our increased-educated taste for good-looking, polished content.

Looking Ahead

Like a lot of new functionalities, the real benefits of “Delete and Re-Edit” will be seen in practice as creators start to take them into their workflow. Given the potential for misuse, TikTok is sure to monitor its use, and we’ll likely see more tweaks—or further restrictions—depending on how the community adapts to it.

It is a game changer for TikTok and for content creators, but one that, if broadened, could make everything we already know about viral content creation seem almost quaint.