Understanding TikTok Video Requirements
Overview
Social Cascade publishes videos to TikTok. Image-only and text-only posts can't be sent to TikTok from Social Cascade. This article lists the limits to check before you schedule TikTok content.
Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Content type | Video only |
| File format | MP4 (recommended) or WebM. Convert MOV files to MP4 before uploading. |
| File size | Up to 200 MB |
| Length | 3 seconds to 10 minutes. Teleprompter recordings stop at 3 minutes. |
| Shape | Vertical (9:16) recommended. When you use Upload your own, square videos can't go to TikTok. |
| Text length | 2,200 characters for the full published text (see below) |
How Social Cascade Handles Your Video
Social Cascade prepares uploaded videos for social platforms: it converts them to MP4 and scales anything larger than 1080p down to 1080p. This usually takes under a minute after upload. You can't publish until it finishes. If you try, you'll see "Video is still being processed. This usually takes under a minute — try again shortly."
Videos recorded in the Social Cascade Teleprompter app or the Web Teleprompter are handled automatically.
When TikTok Isn't Offered
- Calendar: If the content has no video, TikTok doesn't appear under Post on: when you schedule it.
- Upload your own: TikTok is switched off with a short reason, such as "TikTok needs a video." or "TikTok needs a vertical or wide video."
- Teleprompter: Recordings always include video, so TikTok is available when it's connected.
If a post reaches TikTok without a video, it fails with "TikTok requires video content".
Text Length
The 2,200-character limit applies to the full published text: your caption, any context you add, your team's editorial disclaimer, attribution, and hashtags. If the post is too long, Social Cascade tells you how many characters to cut.
Tips:
- Keep captions to 1–3 sentences and put the key message first. Long captions are cut off in the TikTok feed.
- Add a few relevant hashtags.
- TikTok may remove line breaks from captions posted from other apps.
FAQ
Q: Can I post images to TikTok through Social Cascade?
A: Not yet. Social Cascade sends video to TikTok. Post photo posts in the TikTok app.
Q: What if my video is longer than 10 minutes?
A: TikTok won't accept it. Trim it to under 10 minutes before you schedule it.
Q: Can I post the same video to TikTok and Instagram?
A: Yes. Select both platforms when you schedule. Each platform gets the same video and caption, within that platform's limits.
Q: Does Social Cascade change my video?
A: It converts uploaded videos to MP4 and scales them to 1080p at most, so they upload reliably. Your content isn't edited.