Private vs. public videos on TikTok. Who can see which, and are your private videos actually private? Or can someone spy on them? We’ll see.

But there’s more. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between private and public videos, and how you can make your videos private on TikTok too!

Summary: In this article, I explain the difference between private and public videos on TikTok. 

I discuss the characteristics of private videos and the reasons why someone might want to make a video private. 

I also provide step-by-step instructions for making a video private on TikTok and include screenshots to help guide readers through the process. 

What Are Private Videos on TikTok?

The first thing to know about private videos is that no one can see them but you. But that’s not all. Here’s some interesting info about private videos you might not know:

1. They can’t be searched on TikTok
2. They won’t appear on the “For You” page
3. They won’t appear on your public profile on TikTok
4. The likes on your private videos won’t be counted for the total number of likes on your account

Right about now, you might have realized that private TikTok videos are as private as they can be. No one can see them, find them, like them, or interact with them (except the Chinese Communist Party or the NSA, perhaps). Which is the whole point of “private“.

“But what is the point of private videos?“, you might ask… Well, here’s why you might want to make a video private on TikTok:

1. You want to ensure that the video looks good before posting it publicly
2. You’re currently working on a video idea, and you’ve made a draft-video private for your eyes only
3. One of your videos was flagged for inappropriate content, and you decided to make it private to avoid being whipped by TikTok’s algorithm
4. You realize that one of your videos breaks the ToS, and you make it private before being restricted

In truth, many TikTok influencers make some of their videos private before posting them. It’s easier to simulate a reader’s perspective and do a quality-check.

Have I convinced you to try this feature? Got it! Read below to see how you can make your TikTok videos private!

How Can I Make a TikTok Video Private?

We’ll keep things short. Just follow the steps below, screenshots included, to make your videos private on TikTok:

1. Select your video

The first step is finding the video that you want to make private. Go to your TikTok profile (“Profile” icon in the bottom-right corner), and you should see your videos at the bottom of the page.

Go through them and find a video that you want to make private.

Once you find it, select it with a tap.

2. Tap on the three-dot icon

After opening one of your videos, find the three-dot icon on the right-hand side of the screen (see the screenshot above) and softly and romantically touch it.

3. Select “Privacy Settings“

Once you’ve caressed the three-dot icon, a new menu will appear at the bottom of the page. You’ll find several options here, such as “WhatsApp“, “Messenger“, “Edit Tagged People“, and “Privacy settings“.

That last option is what you’re looking for. Select “Privacy settings” with a tap and see the steps below!

4. Select “Who can watch this video?“

In the “Privacy settings“, you’ll find the “Who can watch this video?” option at the top of the page, above the “Allow comments” option.

Select it (the “Who can watch this video” option) and see the next steps below!

5. Select “Only me“

In the final step, you’ll reach a page with three options: Follower, Friends, and Only me. To make the video private, select “Only me“.

Here you go. Now, your video is invisible to everyone on TikTok, friends included (but perhaps not the NSA). That wasn’t so hard, was it?

Conclusion

To summarize, private videos can’t be seen by anyone on TikTok. Only you can access them from your device.

Unless someone gains access to your TikTok account directly, they won’t be able to find or see your private video.

If any of the above is confusing or there’s something you don’t understand, take a leap into the comment section below, and I’ll help out!