TikTok, often criticized for highlighting certain types of content that may not align with all users’ interests, is set to address this issue in its latest update.

The Chinese social media platform, known for its highly effective algorithm, is now taking a step further by offering more control to its users.

Although this feature was discussed last year, as mentioned in a report by The Verge, it was initially available only to a select group of TikTok users, with no confirmation of a broader rollout across the platform…

Control Over Content Frequency

In a press release recently shared by TikTok, and featured exclusively on the show Good Morning America this Tuesday, a significant update was revealed regarding the “For You” tab.

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Users now have the ability to customize their preferences from the top 10 trending topics on TikTok, such as artistic videos, dance, wellness, food, and comedy.

By adjusting their preferences, users of the platform can receive more relevant suggestions, although this will not completely replace TikTok’s algorithm and the suggestions based on previously viewed content.

Smart Keyword Filters

While keyword filters were already a part of TikTok’s feature set, the platform is set to introduce new “smart keywords” filters.

Previously, keyword filters were restricted to specific terms, which could be limiting when a term has multiple spellings or is used in various acronyms.

In the updated version of TikTok, artificial intelligence will be employed to analyze up to 200 keywords per user, accounting for all synonyms, spelling mistakes, and abbreviations that might be used.

Support for Disconnecting

As TikTok faces ongoing criticism for being too addictive, especially among younger users who could become hooked in less than 35 minutes according to a recent leak, ByteDance is taking steps to address these concerns.

Every evening, starting at 10 PM, TikTok users will now have access to a guided meditation feature aimed at encouraging them to disconnect. According to a study conducted by the social network, this feature has proven to be 98% effective among teenagers.