To counter YouTube, TikTok is revamping its desktop platform and adding some new features. The company announced on Thursday that its web-based experience features a new modular layout, an updated “For You” feed, a new “Explore” tab, an immersive full-screen live game stream, and a floating player.
The social network’s new web layout features a repositioned navigation bar designed to provide a more immersive, distraction-free browsing experience, more in line with the mobile version of TikTok.
In addition, game streamers can now “go live” in portrait or landscape mode. Desktop users will see a horizontal view, while mobile users can also view in horizontal mode by simply rotating their phone. With this change, TikTok is making a push for Twitch and YouTube’s dominance in the gaming streaming market.

TikTok has also introduced a new “Collections” feature that allows users to organize their favorite videos into custom categories. The idea behind this feature is to make it easier for users to find and revisit saved content at a later time.
For example, you can group all of your favorite recipe videos into one collection and your favorite DIY videos into another. This feature is similar to YouTube’s Playlist feature and lets you save videos for replay.
Desktop users can now also access a floating player dedicated to the Google Chrome browser. Flexible floating windows allow TikTok to remain visible above other windows, allowing users to multitask while watching content. It’s worth noting that YouTube videos have been able to do this for quite some time now.
TikTok has also brought the in-app Explore page to the desktop, allowing users to view hand-picked content based on their interests.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Save up to $1,130 by February 28! From AI and startups to space, fintech and IPOs – experience game-changing insights through five main stages, breakout sessions, roundtables, unparalleled networking and more.
San Francisco, CA| October 27-29
Sign up now
“Our users interact with TikTok in many different ways, which is why we’re excited to launch these web app updates,” said Cody Puckett, TikTok product manager, in a blog post. “By enhancing our desktop capabilities, we aim to bring the magic of TikTok to the table, providing a more flexible and engaging experience that allows you to enjoy TikTok anytime, anywhere. As TikTok grows, we remain committed to innovating for our community and ensuring that the platform is accessible to all.
While TikTok is known for being a mobile-first platform, it makes sense that the company continues to challenge YouTube and now Twitch, making it easier for users to watch videos on their desktops. While TikTok is the leading short-form video platform, it still lags behind YouTube overall, which has 2.5 billion active users, which is why the company has been releasing features to challenge Google-owned platforms.
TikTok has been increasing video time on its platform over the past few years, and at one point it was even spotted testing 60-minute uploads. TikTok initially supported videos of 15 to 60 seconds, but now allows users to post videos of 10 minutes.
TikTok also introduced video erasing thumbnails and tested a landscape full-screen mode on mobile platforms, both of which are designed to make it easier for users to watch long-form video content.
TikTok says more than 1 billion people around the world use TikTok for entertainment and exploration, and the company has been exploring ways to enhance the platform’s features to meet the changing needs of its users.