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TikTok has just rolled out a new feature called "Bulletin Board" that allows creators and brands to send one-to-many updates directly to their followers’ inboxes. This feature is similar to Instagram's broadcast channels in the sense that both features are designed for one-way messaging from creators to followers.
The TikTok Bulletin Board is designed in such a way that only the creator can post; followers can view and react with emojis, and the Instagram Broadcast Channel is also designed in a way that only the creator can send messages, polls, or media, and followers can react but not reply. Essentially, both act as “creator announcement hubs” rather than chatrooms.
Telegram's one-way messaging feature is also inline with this feature. However, users who choose to subscribe to a creator's community board will get notifications delivered directly to their TikTok messages when new posts are published. Only the creator can post; followers can react—through emoji—but they cannot comment. Content supported includes text, images, videos, links, and polls.
TikTok says the Bulletin Board will be more useful for musicians and artists than any other creators on the platform because it enables artists and musicians to post fresh tracks and provides supporters with an option to "pre-save" future drops.
The community board also simplifies fan engagement for creators with a large followers by eliminating the need to sift through crowded messages or create standalone video announcements. It gives direct sharing of their creations, such as external links, with dedicated followers, sidestepping dependence on the platform's unpredictable feed algorithm system.
How to Join the TikTok Bulletin Board
The rollout indicates that creators 18+ years old with 50,000+ followers can use the feature. However, you will need to apply for the feature in your TikTok account to be able to use it—it's not enabled by default. To join the Bulletin Board, go to a creator’s profile (if the board is displayed) or via a notification in your Inbox.
Tap “Join”. If you weren’t already following the creator, joining the board will make you follow them. To leave or mute a creator, you can exit the board or mute notifications via the menu in the board thread.
As a creator, here are what you can do with the bulletin board:
- You can create a board through your Inbox simply by tapping on “Create a bulletin board”.
- You can choose to show the Bulletin Board on your profile for visibility or hide it.
- You can also post updates such as text for up to certain character limit. Image, video, and links to non-TikTok content are also part of the supported contents.
However, it's worth noting that posts are curated for creators. Many early-testers report up to 20 bulletins per day. Meanwhile, TikTok’s help pages have different limits depending on region creators and phase.
Why this update matters is because it creates a direct line of communication for creators to connect with followers via inboxes, which helps to sidestep unpredictable algorithmic feeds.
But when it comes to the followers, they benefit from reliable and personal updates like exclusive behind-the-scenes information, announcements, and unique content. For TikTok, it is a move toward industry's scope leverage enhanced broadcast tools as we've seen it Instagram's Channels and Telegram's one-way messaging feature.
However, it’s important to note that being enrolled in multiple boards could result in frequent notifications for followers. Creators should therefore be mindful of how often they post and ensure their content provides real value, so followers don’t opt out.
