How To View Private TikTok Accounts: Social Media Hacks

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Carolyn Howell

Last Updated: May 21, 2024

TikTok 101

Want More Real Tiktok Followers?

TikTok offers lots of intriguing content. But what if you don’t have a TikTok account? Or what if the post you want to see is from a private account? Are you interested to know how to view a private TikTok? Find out what you can expect when viewing private profiles and how to view private TikTok accounts outside the platform. 

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Understanding What Does a Private TikTok Account Look Like

Are you wondering what does a private TikTok account look like? 

From the outside looking in, viewing private TikTok accounts offers limited access. All private accounts are discoverable on TikTok. This means anybody who knows your username or real name can find you on the platform. But you can control the page information non-followers can see. 

Private profile information that anyone can see includes:

Let’s explore how a private TikTok account is different from a public one and the limitations of using a private account. 

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1. Private VS. Public Accounts

Which type of TikTok account would be better for you: a private account or a public account? Let’s look at the differences between the two. 

With a private account, you can:

  • Approve who follows you. 
  • Choose who can watch your video content, LIVE streams, Stories, and liked videos. 
  • Choose who can view your list of followers. 
  • Limit access to your Following list
  • Turn off the video download feature for everyone. 
  • Prohibit other users from creating stickers from your videos. 

With a public account, you can still select the audience for your posts and whether or not they can download your videos. If the video download feature is off, the video’s audience can still share it using the video URL. 

You can also select who can use your videos for a Duet, Stitch, or to create Stickers. If you choose a public account, anyone can:

  • Follow you. 
  • Watch your public videos on and off TikTok and whether or not they have a TikTok account.
  • Watch your LIVE streams.
  • View your public Stories (whether or not they’re followers). 
  • See your list of followers. 
  • Find your public content via search engines, news sites, blogs, and social media posts.
     

Take note that regardless of your account type, you can customize the privacy settings of individual videos and restrict their visibility. 

Additionally, you can select who can comment on your posts and send you direct messages. You can also decide if you want TikTok to suggest your account to others.

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2. What Are the Limitations of a Private Account?

A private account affords someone more control over who can access certain account information and view their private content. 

But if you’re a creator, using a private account will limit your growth. Only your followers or friends would be able to see and engage with your private account videos. 

You won’t be able to use a TikTok Business Account unless you switch to a public account. Business Accounts have exclusive features, including:

  • An email button.
  • Link in bio.
  • Call-to-action buttons for lead generation, such as Apply now, Subscribe, or Sign up.
  • Auto-message function.
  • TikTok Ads Manager.

How To View a Private TikTok Account Without Following

Content creators can use a personal account set to private or public. Most regular users opt for a private account so only their approved followers/friends can access their information and content. Are you curious about how to view a private TikTok account without following? 

Keep in mind that following a private profile on TikTok is not as simple as hitting the Follow button. The private account owner has to approve your follow request. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get follower access to their content. But there are other workarounds you can try if you want to know how to view private TikToks.

How To View Private TikTok Accounts: Use a Private TikTok Viewer

You can use third-party apps, like a private TikTok viewer tool, to view private TikTok accounts. 

A word of caution, however. Avoid spy apps that offer device tracking services, access to private messages, and similar “spying” functions that violate user privacy. 

If you’re eager to learn how to view a private TikTok account, these sites are safe to try! 

  • Urlebird: Explore TikTok, discover content, and view profiles without an account. You can search any username or hashtag to access trending videos, content, profile metrics, and more. 
  • Xaller: This online TikTok viewer lets you watch TikTok videos and view profiles anonymously. Find any user to access their posts. The site also lets you download videos to your device.
  • Tiker: Here’s another app that lets you save TikTok videos without a watermark so you can enjoy them for offline viewing. Search with a username to view the account’s video feed. The site doesn’t save your TikTok searches and viewing activities. 
  • High Social: Use High Social’s Profile Analyzer for free. View and analyze an account’s TikTok analytics to gauge its performance. You can access key metrics such as the number of likes, views, and comments and the user’s active engagement rates

Can You Use TikTok Without an Account?

Yes, TikTok has a guest browsing option for those who want to watch videos without creating an account. You can install the app on your device or use TikTok online. As a guest, TikTok will also curate your For You feed. The more videos you watch, the more personalized your feed becomes. 

You can also use the platform as a discovery tool. Discover trending creators, videos, challenges, sounds, etc. Search for products, services, establishments, or any information under the sun. Learn tips and tricks on just about anything. 

However, as a guest, you won’t be able to like or comment on posts or follow accounts. You may be able to save certain videos or share them on your other social media accounts. 

A woman sits on the floor while talking on the phone and browsing on her laptop.

Find Creative Inspiration: Learn From Other Creators 

Uniqueness and authenticity are crucial elements when building a following on TikTok. What if you’re still searching for your target audience’s sweet spot? You can learn from other creators in your niche without compromising your voice and identity. 

Creators who share your target audience offer valuable insights into prevailing trends in your niche and industry. Such insights are especially helpful when you’re just starting on TikTok. Their most popular posts will help inform you of what topics resonate most with your niche audience. You can identify what delivery styles and video formats they prefer. 

If there ever was a place where nobody exists in a vacuum, it’s social media. What works for one creator may not work for others. However, their shared audiences’ content preferences create overlaps and bridges that represent relationships and similarities among the creators they follow. And on TikTok, creators are encouraged to practice creative interactivity and collaboration with each other and their fans. 

Knowing how to view private TikTok accounts may help you find creative inspiration for your content. Make sure your posts are also getting the love they deserve from people who can genuinely appreciate their value. 

Sign up for a High Social plan to match your videos with viewers who are most likely to enjoy them. High Social’s advanced proprietary AI solution instantly boosts your audience-targeting capability. Start growing your TikTok today!

TikTok 101