At the end of January, a glitch hit TikTok, where the comments section on the app kept coming up blank.
Though TikTok appears to have mostly resolved that bug for users, problems with the comments section are common on the app. However, there are ways to fix this on the social media platform.
If you ever end up asking yourself, "Why aren't my TikTok comments showing up?" here are some troubleshooting tips that work for both Apple iOS (iPhones or iPads) and Android devices.
In most cases, fully closing the TikTok app—including swiping up to make sure it is no longer running—and then reopening it should resolve the problem independently. If not, you could:
If redownloading doesn't work, you can also clear your cache in TikTok. TikTok itself recommends this approach when you are troubleshooting bugs. To clear your cache on TikTok:
Did you accidentally log out of your account? It could be why you're struggling to access the TikTok comments.
The platform only displays its comments to TikTok users who have accounts. If you're looking on the web and you're not logged in, the comments section won't show up.
Restrictive privacy settings can cause issues with your TikTok comments section. TikTok's filters prevent offensive comments, but it could also be why your followers can't post comments on your video.
To check your privacy settings:
If your comments section isn't showing up, internet connection issues could be causing it to load slower. Turn your WiFi router or mobile data connection off for a bit, then turn it on again.
If none of the above works, you can also report your problem to TikTok directly on the hyperlinked page.
As Chatdesk outlined recently, TikTok commenting culture is a big deal. TikTok is one of the rare apps to incorporate the comment section into in-app video creation.
One of its more popular features, for instance, lets users create a video response to a comment they receive. That direct dialogue with viewers has made more people turn to the comments—and has given brands an in to establish themselves in the comments section, too.
At the same time, TikTok has also become a core part of the purchasing journey for younger customers. 44% of TikTokers said in a recent study that they regularly come across new products on the app, and around 25% have tagged a brand in a post they made.
The obvious way that product discovery happens on the app is through the For You page, in which TikTok's algorithm recommends an assortment of videos it thinks you will like.
But if you're not already well versed in TikTok, you might be missing another opportunity to engage with customers and get your name out there: the comments.
If you click the comments on a trending TikTok video, you might see brands weighing in with their own quips. That's because, for brands, this is free exposure.
But there's a difference between an authentic comment—like an energy drink brand joking about late-night studying—and a group of disparate companies leaving comments beneath a celebrity or influencer's video.
For instance, Taylor Swift's TikTok videos are frequently teeming with comments from Duolingo, Rare Beauty, GUESS, Target, and more.
Even when brands aren't posting comments on other people's TikToks, the savvy ones actively monitor notifications from comments on their own videos.
Like the sunscreen brand Habit, some companies tweak their product descriptions based on feedback from followers' comments. When TikTok commenters love a particular aspect of your product, you can put that detail front-and-center on your website.
But the TikTok comments section is also where customers ask questions for brands, which could be about returns policies, If a specific outfit color is available, and more.
To maximize the app, you should be using a service like Chatdesk Teams, which provides customer service teams who can offer support directly in the TikTok comments.
