How to Add a Collaborator on TikTok

Collaborating on TikTok is a powerful way to expand your reach, tap into new audiences, and create exciting content that breaks the mold. This guide walks you through exactly how to add a collaborator on TikTok using the platform’s native features, as well as the strategic steps for building successful brand and creator partnerships from the ground up.

First Things First: Does TikTok Have an "Invite Collaborator" Feature?

If you've spent any time on Instagram, you're probably familiar with the "Invite Collaborator" feature, which allows a single post to appear on two profiles simultaneously, sharing its views, likes, and comments. It's a fantastic tool for creators and brands. So, does TikTok have something similar?

The short answer is no. As of now, TikTok does not have a direct one-for-one equivalent of Instagram’s dual-posting collaboration feature. You cannot create a single video that natively lives on both your profile and your partner's profile at the same time.

But don't let that stop you. Collaboration is at the heart of TikTok's culture. The platform offers several creative workarounds and specific tools that serve the same purpose: signaling a partnership, cross-promoting content, and getting your video in front of another creator's audience. Let's look at how it’s done.

3 Ways to "Collaborate" Directly on TikTok

While a dual-post button doesn't exist, TikTok provides official features designed to facilitate creator interaction and partnerships. Here are the tools you can use right now.

1. Simple & Effective: Tagging Your Collaborator

This is the most common and straightforward method of featuring a collaborator in your video. Tagging them properly makes it clear to viewers who you worked with and allows their followers to easily find your content. It’s a simple signal that boosts visibility for both accounts.

Here’s the right way to do it:

• Tag in the Caption: After you’ve filmed and edited your video, you’ll land on the final posting screen. In the caption box, simply type the "@" symbol followed by the username of your collaborator (e.g., "Loved making this with @username!"). As you type, their profile should pop up. Select it to create a clickable link directly to their profile.
• Use the "Tag people" button: On that same posting screen, you’ll see an option labeled "Tag people." Tap it, search for your collaborator's account, and select them. This adds another layer of connection, sending them a notification and sometimes featuring the video on a tab within their profile (depending on their settings and the platform’s current layout). It’s an extra step that adds to the video’s reach.
• Mention them in the Video Itself (Bonus): Use TikTok’s text tool to add a text overlay that shouts out your partner within the first few seconds of the video, like "ft. @username". This grabs attention immediately, even before someone reads the caption.

When you should use this method: This is perfect for genuine, informal collaborations, influencer partnerships where each creator posts their own content, or when you’re shouting out another creator who inspired your video.

2. Interactive Video: The Duet and Stitch Features

Duet and Stitch are TikTok's original collaboration tools. They allow you to build new content directly on top of another user's existing video, creating a public conversation that links both of your videos together.

How to Duet a TikTok video:

A Duet places your video side-by-side with the original video, with both playing at the same time. It's often used for reactions, challenges, and building on a trend.

1. Find the video you want to Duet.
2. Tap the "Share" icon (the arrow) on the right side of the screen.
3. In the menu that appears at the bottom, select "Duet."
4. Record your own video, which will appear next to the original. You can use different layouts to position your video.
5. Add any effects, text, or stickers, and then proceed to the caption screen to post it.

Important Note: You can only Duet a video if the original creator has enabled this feature in their privacy settings. If the "Duet" button is grayed out, they haven't allowed it for that particular video or for their account in general.

How to Stitch a TikTok video:

A Stitch allows you to clip a few seconds from another user's video and add it to the beginning of your own video. This is great for answering questions, providing commentary, or continuing a story.

1. Find the video you want to use for your Stitch.
2. Tap the "Share" icon.
3. Select "Stitch."
4. You’ll be prompted to select up to five seconds from the original video. Drag the timeline to choose your clip and tap "Next."
5. Record the rest of your video. The clip you selected will be the intro.
6. Edit your video as usual and post. TikTok automatically credits the original creator in the caption.

When you should use these features: Duet and Stitch are fantastic for reactive content, joining trends, and starting wider community conversations without needing to coordinate with the original creator beforehand.

3. For Official Partnerships: Using the Branded Content Toggle

If your collaboration is a paid partnership, ad, or any kind of sponsored content, simply tagging the brand isn't enough. TikTok requires you to disclose the commercial nature of your post to stay compliant with advertising regulations. This is where the Branded Content toggle comes in.

Using this tool adds a clear disclosure to your video (like #Ad or "Paid Partnership"), ensuring transparency for your audience and keeping everyone FTC-compliant.

How to enable Branded Content:

1. Create and edit your video as you normally would.
2. On the final posting screen, tap on "More options."
3. Find the "Branded content" option and toggle it on.
4. You will be prompted to accept TikTok's branded content policy.
5. Toggle on "Video ad disclosure." This will automatically add a disclosure to your video. You can further link marketing partners if you are working via the TikTok Creator Marketplace.

When you should use this: Always use this for any content where you've received something of value (money, free products, etc.) in exchange for the post. It protects you, the brand, and maintains trust with your audience.

Beyond the Button: The Strategy of a Successful Collaboration

Knowing how to tag someone is just the start. A truly effective collaboration is about strategy, relationship-building, and creating content that benefits both parties and resonates with both audiences.

Step 1: Finding the Right Partner

Don't just look for accounts with a high follower count. The best collaborations come from creative alignment. Ask yourself:

• Audience Overlap: Do their followers have similar interests to mine? You're not looking for an identical audience, but a complementary one. If you’re a home chef, collaborating with a home decor account makes sense - both audiences care about creating a beautiful home life.
• Content Vibe: Does their style of content match yours? A creator who makes humorous skits might not be the best fit for an account that posts serene, aesthetic tutorials, and vice versa. The finished video needs to feel authentic to both profiles.
• Engagement Rate: Look past followers. How many comments and shares do their videos get relative to their follower count? High engagement shows they have an active, loyal community that will likely be interested in your collaborative content.

Step 2: Crafting Your Outreach Pitch

Once you’ve found a potential collaborator, your first message is everything. Avoid generic "Hey, wanna collab?" messages. Be personal and provide value upfront.

A simple but effective outreach template:

"Hi [Creator's Name],

I'm a big fan of your [mention specific type of content you love] videos - especially the one about [mention a specific video]. Your audience seems to really connect with your perspective on [their niche].

I create content about [your niche], and I had a video idea where we could [describe a simple, compelling concept that blends both of your styles]. I noticed our audiences both share an interest in [shared interest], and I think they’d really enjoy seeing us create something together.

No pressure at all, but let me know if this sounds like something you'd be interested in."

Best,
[Your Name] (@yourusername)

This approach shows you've done your research, you respect their work, and you have a clear, easy-to-digest idea that doesn't put all the creative burden on them.

Step 3: Agreeing on the Details

Before you hit record, get clear on the expectations to avoid any misunderstandings later.

• The Concept: Settle on a clear video idea. Will it be a challenge? A tutorial? A funny skit?
• The Deliverables: How many videos will each person post? Is one person responsible for posting, or will you both create separate videos from the shoot?
• The Logistics: Who is responsible for filming? editing? writing the captions? adding the sound?
• The Timeline: Agree on a filming date and a posting date.
• Compensation (if applicable): If this is a paid partnership, make sure the rates, payment terms, and usage rights for the content are documented clearly in writing.

Final Thoughts

Collaborating on TikTok is less about a single feature and more about using the available tools - tagging, Duets, Stitches, and branded content - to build connections and cross-promote effectively. Mastering these methods opens up a whole new world of creative potential and audience growth for your account.

Once you start managing multiple collaborations, brands, and your own content calendars, things can get chaotic fast. Personally, I found it hard to keep track of content deadlines, partner posts, and your own everyday schedule using just notes and spreadsheets. That’s why we built Postbase. We designed it with a super clean visual calendar so you can see all your planned content in one place, schedule posts for every platform (including TikTok!), and analyze what's performing, helping you turn every collaboration into a success story without the headache.