Fact Check: Do you get paid for TikTok streaks? Viral claim explained

TikTok has recently introduced streaks for users sending direct messages. Like Snapchat, the app begins a "streak" if the users exchange messages three days in a row. Since the company began rolling out the feature in June, some content creators claimed they could get paid for maintaining streaks.

However, a representative for the social media platform told Forbes that the rumors floating online are false.

"There is no way to be paid for using Streaks on (the app)," the company's representative told Forbes.

Per the publication, several app users have shared videos informing their followers about getting paid as much as $2,000 by using the feature. These clips have garnered thousands of views. Comments under the posts are filled with questions about how to register to get paid.

In reply to these questions, some users have shared links to fraudulent websites and scams that promise money. However, these are false reports, and TikTokers are not getting paid for their streaks.

Tiktok streak money is pure scam. byu/Important-Wolf-5938 inTikTok

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TikTok users can get paid through their Creator Fund

Much like Snapchat, the new feature is a way to make TikTok more interactive. If two users begin a streak on the app, their profile name will display a badge featuring a fire icon. Along with the icon, a number indicating the number of days they have maintained their streak also appears. The streak will end when both people fail to send a direct message for 24 hours.

The app nudges users to remind them whether their streak has started or is about to end. However, this notification needs to be activated by going to the app's Settings and Privacy page in their profile menu and choosing Notifications (in the menu, select Streak > In-app Notification > toggle on).

Several app users suspect that the company itself is behind rumors of people getting paid for their streaks, as it would incentivize people to use their direct message. These claims have not been verified. Additionally, creators on the platform are paid through the app's Creator Fund, which pays a user between $20 and $40 for a million views.

Per Forbes, the company suggested users, especially creators, filter unwanted words and phrases from their comments to prevent people from posting scam links.

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This is not the first time TikTok has replicated a feature of its competitor's app. In 2022, the company launched its stories feature, which, like Instagram and Snapchat, would get deleted after 24 hours. Earlier this year, the company announced it was working on a photo app called TikTok Notes. The app would function very similarly to Instagram.

The company also announced that it was testing a 60-minute video feature (to be noted, when the app initially launched, users could post 15-second long videos), much like YouTube.