TikTok testing new Video Avatar Tools, audio-only live streams, and more

3 min readUpdated May 16, 2025Jan 26, 20226:05 AM

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TikTok is testing a couple of new features, and thanks to social media expert Matt Navarra (who has a great track record of revealing them) we have some inside information on how they look and what they actually do.

TikTok experimental features at a glance:

Video Avatar Tools
Keyword filtering
Group Chat shareable link invite
Audio-only live streams
Screen sharing in live

1. Video Avatar Tools

The first new feature is very similar to Apple’s Memoji, and will allow users to create a digital avatar based on a selfie shot. First you’ll need to choose a face template, which you would be able to subsequently edit with expressions based on your own face.

“The feature lets you use your phone’s camera to take a selfie with a fun facial expression which your avatar will match,” wrote Navarra on his Twitter page.

The screenshots, posted by Navarra, don’t explain the exact way this feature works, and whether it would be capable of tracking and mimicking your face in real time, or it would only be able to pre-record short video avatars/still images.

2. Keyword filtering

There’s also an interesting keyword filtering feature in the works, apparently. Contrary to the way most filtering options work, the TikTok keyword filtering will allow you to hide content from your feeds.

Adding a keyword or hashtags to your filter will result in videos containing these words in the description or stickers not showing in your For You page or Following feeds. Advertisement containing these “filtered” keywords may still appear, though.

3. Group Chat shareable link invite

Also in the code, dug up by Navarra, lies a string suggesting that a new Group Chat feature is being developed. TikTok users will have the option to invite people to a group chat via a shareable link.

TikTok has a Group Chat feature but you need to manually invite people by sending a video or creating a group chat in inbox and selecting the users you want to invite. The shareable link invite feature simplifies the process.

“Screen sharing allows viewers to see what’s on your screen in real time, including camera, audio, notification, and other alerts.”

4. Audio-only live streams

TikTok is experimenting with the option to allow users to join live streams with audio-only, trying to hop on the Clubhouse train, even though the popularity of the app and all of its clones has plummeted in recent months.

Twitter Spaces is a recent example and the company recently rolled out a new feature called Record and Replay, allowing users to record their conversations and make them available for anyone who wants to listen at a later time.

This one is pretty interesting, as per the code: “Screen sharing allows viewers to see what’s on your screen in real time, including camera, audio, notification, and other alerts.”

The ability to share your screen with friends will give TikTok creators new tools to enhance their material, new ways to make tutorials, and make live streams more interesting in general.

TikTok provided an official statement to SocialMediaToday, shedding light on the idea behind these new experimental features:

“We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience. Currently, we’re experimenting with ways to give creators tools to express themselves on TikTok.”

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Questions & Answers

Who revealed the details about TikTok's new experimental features?

Social media expert Matt Navarra revealed these experimental features. He has a strong track record of discovering new features and shared insights on how they look and function on his Twitter page.

How does the new keyword filtering feature differ from typical content filters?

This keyword filtering feature allows users to hide content from their feeds. Adding a keyword or hashtag will prevent videos containing these words in descriptions or stickers from appearing on your For You page or Following feeds.

What is the purpose of the audio-only live stream feature?

TikTok is testing audio-only live streams to emulate platforms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces. This feature allows users to join live streams using only audio, despite the recent decline in popularity for such apps.

What is TikTok's general aim with these new features?

TikTok stated they are always seeking new ways to add value and enrich the user experience. They are experimenting with tools to give creators more options for self-expression on the platform.

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