TikTok tests landscape videos in major shake-up

Video-sharing platform TikTok has started testing a new landscape mode with select users around the world.

Some experts say the feature will help it directly compete with rival video platforms like YouTube.

Viral videos filmed in portrait mode have helped make TikTok the world's fastest-growing social media app.

However, there have been calls in countries such as the US and Australia to ban it over allegations of national security threats.

This year TikTok said it would host videos that were up to 10 minutes long.

The Chinese-owned platform previously only allowed videos that were three minutes in length or shorter.

Paul Triolo, a technology expert at the Albright Stonebridge Group consultancy, told the BBC: "TikTok has been moving into YouTube territory for some time now, with the longer version 10-minute videos, and consistently outranks YouTube among a younger demographic.

"The goal here seems to be to appeal to a more mature audience of the type that uses YouTube for informational and learning videos, where a full-screen mode would be more desirable."

:story: BBC News