TikTok wants you to stop scrolling alone. The platform just launched two features that turn your solo content binges into shared experiences.

First up is Shared Collections, rolling out now. Think of it as a group Pinterest board, but for TikToks. Plus, the company teased Shared Feeds, coming in a few months, which creates custom video feeds for you and a friend to watch together.

So TikTok is betting big on social discovery. But are these features genuinely useful, or just another way to keep you glued to the app?

Shared Collections Turn Solo Saves Into Group Projects

TikTok already lets you save videos into personal Collections. Now you can invite others to build those collections with you.

The use cases are obvious. Planning holiday dinners? Create a Shared Collection with your family for recipe videos and cooking tips. Redecorating your apartment? Share design inspiration with your roommate in one organized space.

Shared Collections invite mutual followers to build collections together

However, there’s a catch. You can only create Shared Collections with mutual followers. That makes sense for privacy. But it also limits spontaneous sharing with people you just met or casual acquaintances.

Collections can stay private between friends or go public for anyone to see. The feature launches globally for users 16 and older. So younger teens can’t use it, which is probably smart given privacy concerns.

Shared Feeds Generate Custom Video Queues For Two

Shared Feeds sound more interesting than Shared Collections. Instead of organizing videos you’ve already found, this feature creates new content for you and a friend based on both your tastes.

Here’s how it works. You send an invite through direct messages. Once accepted, TikTok generates a feed of 15 videos daily tailored to what you both like, watch, and comment on.

Shared Feeds generate custom video queues tailored to both users

The algorithm considers your shared interests. Love basketball? The feed surfaces sports content. Both follow the same creators? They’ll show up in your Shared Feed. It’s like a personalized video playlist for two people.

Instagram Reels already does something similar with its Blend feature. So TikTok is playing catch-up here, not innovating. Still, the execution matters more than being first.

The Daily Video Limit Feels Restrictive

Shared Feeds cap at 15 videos per day. Then you’re done until tomorrow.

Why the limit? TikTok probably wants to prevent mindless scrolling through endless Shared Feeds. Or maybe they’re testing how much engagement these feeds generate before scaling up.

Either way, 15 videos feels stingy. Most TikTok users watch way more than that in a single session. So you’ll burn through your Shared Feed in minutes, then go back to your regular For You page.

Shared Collections turns solo saves into group projects with mutual followers

Once you’ve both watched all 15 videos, you can check which ones you both liked in your Shared Likes history. That’s a nice touch. It creates conversation starters and helps you understand what content you have in common.

Greeting Cards Add Festive Flair To DMs

TikTok is also launching digital greeting cards you can send in chats. You pick a card, write a message, and send it with a festive animation.

This feature feels more gimmicky than useful. How often do you really need to send a greeting card in a TikTok DM? Maybe around holidays or birthdays. But it’s not exactly groundbreaking.

Still, it adds personality to messages. Plus, it’s free and easy. So some users will probably love it, even if it’s not essential.

Shared Feeds generates custom video queues based on both users tastes

TikTok Keeps Pushing Social Features

These updates show TikTok moving beyond solo entertainment. The platform wants to be where you connect with friends, not just scroll alone.

That makes business sense. More social features mean more engagement. More engagement means more time in the app. More time means more ad revenue.

But here’s my take. Shared Collections have genuine utility for planning and organizing. Shared Feeds feel more experimental and limited. The 15-video cap will frustrate power users.

Still, both features acknowledge something important. People want to share their TikTok experiences with others. Whether these specific implementations succeed depends on execution and how users actually adopt them.

Give Shared Collections a try if you’re coordinating with friends or family. Hold off on Shared Feeds until TikTok removes that daily limit.