TikTok is expanding its desktop presence with significant updates aimed at competing directly with YouTube. The platform has introduced several new features to enhance the web-based experience for users.

Key desktop updates include:

• Modular layout for better content organization
• Enhanced For You feed
• New Explore tab for content discovery
• Immersive full-screen option for livestreams
• Floating video player for multitasking

Game streamers can now broadcast in both portrait and landscape modes, with desktop users seeing horizontal view by default. Mobile users can rotate their devices for horizontal viewing, positioning TikTok to compete in the game streaming market alongside Twitch and YouTube.

The platform has also introduced Collections, similar to YouTube's playlists, allowing users to organize favorite videos into categories. The Explore page is now available on desktop, offering personalized content recommendations based on user interests.

Product Manager Cody Puckett explains, "By enhancing our desktop capabilities, we aim to bring TikTok's handheld magic on desktop, providing an engaging experience with greater flexibility so you can enjoy TikTok anytime, anywhere."

While TikTok remains primarily mobile-focused, these desktop improvements target YouTube's 2.5 billion active users. The platform has gradually increased video length limits from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, with ongoing tests for 60-minute uploads, demonstrating its commitment to competing in the long-form video space.

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