# PostEverywhere TikTok API Guide

> TikTok posting API: publish and schedule videos via REST. Privacy levels, duets and stitches, cover thumbnails - no 2-6 week audit.

**Source:** https://posteverywhere.ai/docs/platforms/tiktok
**Section:** Platforms
**API reference:** https://posteverywhere.ai/docs/api/reference

---

Publish videos to TikTok with full control over privacy settings, interaction permissions, and cover thumbnails. PostEverywhere uses TikTok's Content Posting API to handle [video uploads](/docs/api/init-media-upload) and publishing on your behalf. For a general overview of all supported platforms, see the [Introduction](/docs).

## Connect your TikTok account to PostEverywhere
Connect TikTok from the dashboard with OAuth, or headlessly from code: mint a [connect link](/docs/api/create-connect-link) and hand it to the account owner - no dashboard session needed. Both flows are covered in [Connecting Accounts](/docs/connecting-accounts).

## What you can post to TikTok
| Content Type | Media Required | Description |
|-------------|---------------|-------------|
| **Video** | Video (MP4) | Standard TikTok video. |
| **Photo carousel** | Images (1-35) | Photo Mode post. Images only; a post cannot mix video and images. |

Every TikTok post needs media: one video, or 1-35 images for a Photo Mode carousel. Text-only posts are not supported.

## TikTok-specific options in the API
Use the `platform_content.tiktok` object to configure privacy and interaction settings:

```json
{
  "platform_content": {
    "tiktok": {
      "content": "TikTok caption (up to 4,000 characters)",
      "settings": {
        "privacyLevel": "PUBLIC_TO_EVERYONE",
        "allowComments": true,
        "allowDuet": true,
        "allowStitch": true,
        "videoCoverTimestamp": 1000
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Settings Reference

| Setting | Type | Default | Description |
|---------|------|---------|-------------|
| `content` | string | N/A | Override the default caption. Captions can be up to 4,000 characters; photo posts also take a `settings.title` of up to 90 characters. |
| `settings.privacyLevel` | string | `"PUBLIC_TO_EVERYONE"` | Who can view the video. See values below. |
| `settings.disableComment` | boolean | `false` | Set `true` to turn off comments on the video. |
| `settings.disableDuet` | boolean | `false` | Set `true` to stop other users creating Duets with this video. |
| `settings.disableStitch` | boolean | `false` | Set `true` to stop other users Stitching this video. |
| `settings.videoCoverTimestamp` | number | `0` | Timestamp in **milliseconds** for the cover frame; `0` is the first frame. Ignored when a cover photo is set. |

### Privacy Levels

| Value | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `PUBLIC_TO_EVERYONE` | Visible to all TikTok users. |
| `MUTUAL_FOLLOW_FRIENDS` | Visible only to mutual followers (friends). |
| `FOLLOWER_OF_CREATOR` | Visible only to your followers. |
| `SELF_ONLY` | Only visible to you. Useful for drafts or testing. |

## Publish to TikTok: a working request
### Schedule a Public TikTok Video

```bash
curl -X POST https://app.posteverywhere.ai/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTEVERYWHERE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "Quick tip for your morning routine!",
    "account_ids": [2285],
    "media_ids": ["c3d4e5f6-a7b8-9012-cdef-123456789012"],
    "scheduled_for": "2026-04-15T17:00:00Z",
    "timezone": "America/Los_Angeles",
    "platform_content": {
      "tiktok": {
        "content": "Morning routine hack you NEED to try #morningroutine #lifehack #tips",
        "settings": {
          "privacyLevel": "PUBLIC_TO_EVERYONE",
          "allowComments": true,
          "allowDuet": true,
          "allowStitch": false,
          "videoCoverTimestamp": 2500
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```

### Schedule a Private Test Video

```bash
curl -X POST https://app.posteverywhere.ai/api/v1/posts \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $POSTEVERYWHERE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "content": "Testing new content format",
    "account_ids": [2285],
    "media_ids": ["d4e5f6a7-b8c9-0123-def0-234567890123"],
    "platform_content": {
      "tiktok": {
        "settings": {
          "privacyLevel": "SELF_ONLY",
          "allowComments": false,
          "allowDuet": false,
          "allowStitch": false
        }
      }
    }
  }'
```

## TikTok limits: characters, media and video
| Requirement | Limit |
|-------------|-------|
| Caption length | 4,000 characters (photo-post title: 90) |
| Video format | MP4 (H.264) |
| Video max file size | 500 MB |
| Video duration | 3 seconds - 10 minutes |
| Video resolution | Minimum 720p recommended |
| Recommended aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical, 1080x1920) |
| Cover timestamp | Specified in milliseconds |

## Getting better results on TikTok
- **Set `videoCoverTimestamp` to a visually compelling frame.** The cover thumbnail is the first thing users see when scrolling. Pick a frame that teases the content; the default is `0`, the first frame.
- **Use `SELF_ONLY` for testing.** Schedule a private video first to verify the upload looks correct on TikTok before changing the privacy level and reposting publicly.
- **Lead with the hook.** Captions can run to 4,000 characters, but only the first line shows before "more", so put your hook in the first few words and use trending hashtags for discoverability.

## Analytics TikTok returns
TikTok reports views, likes, comments and shares per post. They appear on
`GET /v1/analytics/summary` and on the analytics page in the dashboard, refreshed
periodically after publishing (engagement takes time to accrue, so a post checked
minutes after going live will legitimately read zero).

> **Accounts connected before Jul 3 2026 need one reconnect**
>
> Per-post analytics needs TikTok's `video.list` scope, which we were granted on
> Jul 3 2026. Accounts connected before that date hold tokens without it and will
> keep returning no metrics until reconnected once from **Settings > Accounts**.
> Reconnecting does not affect scheduled posts.

Private and self-only posts have no analytics: TikTok withholds the public post id
for them, and its analytics API cannot see them either.

## Common questions about posting to TikTok

### Can I control who can Duet or Stitch my TikTok video?

Yes. Set `allowDuet` and `allowStitch` to `true` or `false` in the `platform_content.tiktok.settings` object. Both default to `true`. You can disable them individually to prevent other users from creating Duets or Stitches with your content.

### What privacy levels are available for TikTok posts?

TikTok supports four privacy levels: `PUBLIC_TO_EVERYONE`, `MUTUAL_FOLLOW_FRIENDS` (mutual followers only), `FOLLOWER_OF_CREATOR` (your followers only), and `SELF_ONLY` (only you). Set the `privacyLevel` field when [creating a post](/docs/api/create-post).

### How do I choose the cover thumbnail for my TikTok video?

Use the `videoCoverTimestamp` setting, specified in milliseconds. For example, `2500` selects the frame at 2.5 seconds. If omitted, the first frame (`0`) is used.

### What video format does TikTok require?

TikTok requires MP4 (H.264) video files. Videos can be 3 seconds to 10 minutes long, up to 500 MB. The recommended aspect ratio is 9:16 vertical (1080x1920) with a minimum resolution of 720p. [Upload your video](/docs/api/init-media-upload) before creating the post.

### Can I post a photo carousel to TikTok via the API?

Yes. Attach 1-35 image `media_ids` to your post and TikTok publishes a Photo Mode carousel. Video and photo carousels are mutually exclusive: you cannot mix them in the same post. `coverPhotoUrl` and `videoCoverTimestamp` are ignored on photo carousels; the first image is the cover unless you set `settings.photoCoverIndex` to choose another. Max **35 images per carousel**.

### Can I cross-post a TikTok video to X (Twitter) in the same call?

Yes, but watch the duration limits. TikTok accepts videos up to 10 minutes, but X caps at 2 minutes 20 seconds. If you cross-post a longer video, the X destination will fail with a duration error while TikTok still publishes. To avoid partial publishes, keep cross-posted videos under 2:20, or schedule them as separate posts.

### Can I edit a TikTok post after it's published?

No. `PATCH /v1/posts/:id` only accepts posts in `scheduled` or `draft` status. After TikTok accepts the upload, the post status becomes `published` and our API rejects edit attempts with `400 invalid_post_status`. TikTok's Content Posting API does not let third-party apps edit a live post's caption, privacy, or duet/stitch settings: edit on TikTok directly or delete and recreate.

## Other platforms you can publish to
- **[Instagram](/docs/platforms/instagram)** -- Reels share the same vertical video format (9:16)
- **[YouTube](/docs/platforms/youtube)** -- YouTube Shorts are a similar short-form vertical video format
- **[Facebook](/docs/platforms/facebook)** -- Facebook Reels also use 9:16 vertical video

## Related TikTok and API reference pages
- [API Reference -- Create Post](/docs/api/create-post)
- [Upload Media](/docs/api/init-media-upload)
- [Quick Start Guide](/docs/quick-start)
- [TikTok Scheduler on PostEverywhere](https://posteverywhere.ai/tiktok-scheduler)

**Related:** [TikTok media requirements](/docs/media-requirements) · [testing with SELF_ONLY posts](/docs/testing) · [TikTok analytics](/docs/analytics-summary) · [posting to TikTok via API](/blog/post-to-tiktok-api) · [what the API covers](/social-media-api)