On the TikTok platform, a practice exists where users are mentioned in videos without the mention being directly linked or appearing as a typical tag. This technique alerts the mentioned user to the content, potentially drawing their attention without publicly displaying their username on the video itself. As an example, a creator might feature another user’s content and then make a verbal reference to them, encouraging viewers to seek out that user’s profile.
The significance of this approach lies in its ability to foster engagement and cross-promotion while offering a subtle alternative to conventional tagging methods. It can be particularly useful when a creator wants to acknowledge another user without necessarily wanting that users name prominently displayed, perhaps for aesthetic reasons or to avoid potentially overwhelming the mentioned user with notifications. This approach also provides a means to initiate collaborations or draw attention to content without requiring the explicit consent often needed for a direct tag.
