The New TikTok View Booster for Landscape Videos: Full Review

Let me guess, you just had this notification pop up on your TikTok app— and you panicked a little.

Things are constantly changing on social media, and I think TikTok may be one of the most unpredictable. Lately, an increase of strange Livestreams, countless TikTok shop videos, more ads than ever, and now this new push for landscape videos has gotten overwhelming for influencers, content creators, and small businesses on the app.

So why is TikTok pushing landscape videos now?

Social media platforms have been competing with one another for years now. Instagram copied Snapchat. Then Instagram copied TikTok. TikTok began competing with Amazon/Temu. Now, TikTok is trying to compete with Youtube.

To be even more specific, I think TikTok is trying to merge the concept of full Youtube videos, a search engine, and original TikTok videos. Should they stay in their lane and stop trying to do it all? In my opinion, yes. But they didn’t ask me.

I believe TikTok is not only trying to increase the amount of time spent on the platform (the longer the video = the more time spent on the app), but this new Video View Booster program is also SAVING TikTok money.

Should I participate in the Video View Booster program? Do landscape videos on TikTok really get increased views?

This program won’t make you any money (see the next section). However, social media platforms tend to reward creators who are early adaptors to new features. Honestly, that’s how I grew my Instagram and TikTok pages SO QUICKLY. I jumped on board with TikTok and Instagram reels within weeks of them becoming big, and my following grew like wildfire. So it’s rarely a BAD idea to use new features… especially when the platforms TELLS you they want you to use them.

I got a landscape video up on my page within an hour of being notified about the program to see if they truly pushed my video to get more views. You can click here to be taken to the TikTok I uploaded to see how it ended up performing. 55 minutes after posting, it had 4,811 views. 15 hours later, it had 33,000 views. A definite jump occurred even though engagement was lacking. A vertical video I posted 20 hours ago with far higher engagement has only 12,000 views. TikTok did clarify it can take up to 72 hours to see a boost.

Here’s how this program is going to cost you money…

If you’re in the TikTok Creativity Program Beta, you’re being paid based on engagement and views on your vertical videos that are over a minute long. However, if you post a landscape mode video on TikTok that’s over a minute, it will not quality or be eligible for this reward. So, while you may get more views on that video, it won’t put any money in your pocket. Best case scenario, you may get more views. With how hard it is to get followers nowadays, I wouldn’t expect a huge increase in followers, but you never know!

Here are some reasons this offer may not work for you.

If you hate filming landscape videos (I see you, friend), then it may not be worth it. Filming videos in both orientations is annoying… especially when we aren’t being paid to create the content in landscape mode.

TikTok itself clarified “the number of boosted views may change based on many factors, such as video quality and follower count. Landscape videos, where the width is greater than the height and are over 1 minute in length, are the only ones eligible to receive increased views.” Make sure your video qualifies based off these requirements. Keep in mind the results will clearly vary. It’s pretty obvious this video booster isn’t going to be magic. If your video sucks… this isn’t going to make you go viral.

If your priority is money, uploading horizontal videos over 1 minute long on TikTok will prevent you from earning on that video. So it would be better to upload vertical. At the end of the day, views aren’t that helpful unless they are gaining you followers or making you money.

How do I take advantage of this new program/offer?

According to TikTok, “You don’t need to apply and you can opt out at any time. Qualified videos will receive boosted views within 72 hours of posting.” So simply upload your horizontal video that’s over a minute long. If you were invited to the program (it will pop up on your homepage if so), then give it up to 72 hours to see an increase in views.

How long is this program going to last?

No one really knows. Here is the only website I could find that TikTok has made available regarding the program. Odds are they won’t publicly announce that this program is ending… because they know we are less likely to post horizontal videos over a minute long if we aren’t getting anything in return.

Will uploading a horizontal video for a boost in views hurt my views on other videos?

I highly doubt it. The only ones with a solid answer are the computers constantly tweaking the algorithms and maybe a few TikTok techs. But it would be weird. At best, it’s a great excuse to blame anything other than your content. (Sounds mean, but it’s true. I have videos flop all the time. I know deep down it’s my fault… but it’s so much easier to say that the app hates me.)

How do I opt out of this view boosting program for horizontal videos over a minute?

Beats me. I scoured the settings, the terms of service, Google, the TikTok website… when I was notified about the program, it clearly stated I could opt out at any time. But I have yet to find any way to do that.

So should I film horizontally in-app for TikTok?

I personally believe apps prefer when you shoot, edit, and post within their platform. However, you can edit using any editor. They key, however, is that it is saved and uploaded as a horizontal video. Do not upload a video that is actually vertical (with black bars on the top and bottom). If you turn your phone sideways before uploading, you should see it full screen with no black bars. If you upload a vertical video with black bars that makes it look horizontal, the app will have no way of knowing it’s actually horizontal.

Is TikTok truly prioritizing or pushing horizontal videos in 2024?

They say they are. However, I can’t remember seeing a single horizontal video on my For You Page. If you start to notice an increase, then keep that in mind. I recommend giving it a shot if you’ve been invited to the view boosting program. If it flops for you, continue to monitor your For You Page, news and blogs from TikTok, and your own success using horizontal videos longer than a minute.

This article was free for you. If it was helpful, please consider clicking this Amazon affiliate link. It does not cost you anything, but if you purchase anything on Amazon in the next 2 days, I’ll be paid a small commission (that would have gone to Amazon otherwise). It supports me and says “thanks!” if you found this article helpful. If not, we’re cool. I hope to see you over on my Instagram or TikTok soon.