What Does It Mean To Nudge Someone On TikTok?

TikTok, like most social media platforms, is usually a one-way street; creators post content, and surfers watch it. Direct, real-time interaction is unusual rather than the norm.

You can exchange direct messages (DMs) or set up group chats on the app, of course, but those features are rarely used. Most people’s interactions come in the form of likes, reposts, or comments.

If you want to get another TikTok user’s attention, though, you can usually “nudge” them.

What is a Nudge on TikTok?

Simply put, a nudge is a subtle way to get someone’s attention on the platform without sending them a message.

It can be used to urge a popular content creator to post more videos or start a TikTok Live session, to let another user know that you’d like to chat, or just to make someone aware that you’re online and would appreciate them responding to a DM or comment. When you receive a nudge, it will appear in your TikTok profile history, your inbox, and your live notifications.

Instagram users are probably already familiar with the concept of a TikTok nudge. It’s essentially the same thing as a “poke” on the Gram.

How Do You Nudge Another User on TikTok?

There are three ways to send a TikTok user a nudge.

1. To nudge a creator, go to their profile page and look for the bell icon on the top right part of the screen. As long as you follow them, you’ll see a notifications popup with the option to nudge them.
2. You can also go to your own profile page and look at your profile view history, which is visible after tapping the “footprints” icon in the upper right. If you’ve visited the profile of the person you want to nudge, just hit the “Nudge” button and it’s done.
3. Another option, if you know and have talked to the person you want to nudge, is to open your TikTok inbox (by tapping the icon next to the profile one). Open a chat you’ve had with the user, and you’ll see the “Nudge” option above the message box.

Turning Nudges Off

If you don’t want to be bothered by other peoples’ nudges, you can turn the feature off. Visit your profile page, hit the menu button (three horizontal lines at the top right), and then go to Creator Tools > Nudge > Nudge settings. You’ll see the toggle that lets you turn nudges off.

There’s an important implication for those trying to nudge another user. If you don’t see an option to nudge them, they’ve probably chosen to turn off the option. You’ll have to try to contact them with a more old-fashioned method.