TikTok videos
Native-feeling vertical video: hook in the first second, captions on screen and room for TikTok’s buttons.
TikTok shows videos to people based on what they watch, not who they follow, so every video gets a chance. Watch time and rewatches decide how far it goes.
At a glance
| Spec | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Size | 1,080 × 1,920 px (9:16) |
| Safe zone (approx.) | 880 × 1310 px |
| Length | Set by TikTok for each account (the composer shows yours) |
| File types | MP4, MOV |
| Text length | 2,200 characters |
| Set per post | Visibility, comments, Duet/Stitch and commercial disclosure |
Safe zone
TikTok covers the top with its feed tabs, the right side with its buttons and the bottom with your name, caption and sound. Keep everything that matters inside the dashed area.
Platforms don’t publish exact overlay sizes, and their apps move buttons between versions. These insets are deliberately conservative: preview on a phone before you post.
Hook
- Hook in the first second. A bold statement, a question or the end result, before anyone can scroll.
- Feel native. TikTok rewards videos that look like TikToks: talking to camera, trends, real moments, not polished ads.
- Put the hook on screen. A text line at the top of the safe zone tells people what they’re watching.
- Reward the whole watch. Save the reveal or the punchline for the end.
Design and edit
- Shoot vertical at 1080 × 1920. Fill the screen; avoid borders and letterboxing.
- Add captions. Many viewers watch on mute.
- Use sound deliberately. A voice-over or a fitting sound makes a video feel at home on TikTok.
- Cut tightly. Remove every pause that doesn’t add to the story.
Caption and copy
- Use keywords people search for. TikTok is a search engine too; describe the topic in plain words.
- Add a few relevant hashtags. Three to five that describe the niche.
- Prompt a comment. Questions and “part 2?” invitations drive replies.
Timing and cadence
- Post often. Volume matters on TikTok; several videos a week helps you learn what works.
- Start short. Short videos are easier to watch to the end; go longer when the story needs it.
What to measure
Video views show reach; likes, comments and shares show whether people cared. A high view count with few interactions usually means a strong hook and a weak payoff.
How Octapost reports these metrics
Do it in Octapost
- Use the Reels / Story preset (1080 × 1920) in the video editor.
- Choose the video’s visibility, comment, Duet and Stitch settings and commercial disclosure in the TikTok panel. Octapost never picks them for you.
- The composer shows the maximum length TikTok allows for your account.
Creating posts in the composer
Checklist
- The video is vertical 9:16, with no borders.
- The hook lands in the first second.
- Text avoids the right-hand buttons and the bottom caption.
- The caption uses searchable words and a few hashtags.
- Visibility and interaction settings are chosen.
Sources
Platform guidance changes often. These are the official pages we check this guide against.