How to Group Videos on TikTok

Organizing your TikTok videos into themed groups, or playlists, is one of the most effective ways to get viewers to stick around longer and explore your content library. Creating these collections turns your profile from a random feed into a curated selection of your best work. This guide walks you through exactly how to create, manage, and strategize with TikTok playlists to boost engagement and grow your presence.

What Exactly Are TikTok Playlists (And Why Should You Use Them)?

A TikTok playlist is essentially a folder on your profile that groups specific public videos together under one title. When a viewer watches a video from a playlist, TikTok automatically serves up the next video from that same collection, encouraging them to binge-watch your content. Think of them as dedicated albums for your best series, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes moments.

Using playlists offers several powerful advantages for creators and brands:

• Increased Watch Time: By auto-playing the next video in the series, you keep viewers engaged on your profile for longer periods. This is a strong positive signal to the TikTok algorithm.
• Better Content Organization: Playlists clean up your profile grid and make it incredibly easy for new followers to find the exact content they're interested in, whether it's a multi-part story, a specific tutorial series, or a showcase of your products.
• Enhanced Discoverability: Playlist titles are searchable. Naming your playlists with relevant keywords can help users discover your content when they search for specific topics directly on TikTok.
• Establish Authority: Grouping your videos into well-defined topics (e.g., "Marketing 101," "Beginner Guitar Lessons," or "Quick Vegan Recipes") positions you as an expert and go-to resource in your niche.

Initially, the playlist feature was limited to select creators, but it has rolled out more broadly. While TikTok hasn't stated official criteria, the feature is typically available to users with Creator or Business Accounts and a baseline of followers and engagement. A good indicator you might have access is seeing other creators in your niche using the feature.

How to Create a TikTok Playlist: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to get organized? You can create a new playlist in two different ways: directly from your profile or from one of your existing videos. Both methods are straightforward.

Method 1: Creating a Playlist from Your Profile

This is the best way to start if you want to create a full playlist from scratch with several videos at once.

1. Go to Your Profile: Open the TikTok app and navigate to your profile tab.
2. Find the Playlist Section: Look right above your video grid. If you have the feature, you'll see a prompt that says "Sort videos into playlists." Tap on it.
3. Name Your Playlist: The first step is to give your playlist a descriptive title. Think about what viewers might search for. You have a limited number of characters, so be clear and concise.
4. Select Your Videos: After naming it, you'll be taken to a gallery of all your public videos. Tap to select all the videos you want to include in this collection. Remember, you can only add public videos to playlists.
5. Finalize the Playlist: Once you've selected all the videos, tap "Next." You'll see an option to reorder the videos by dragging and dropping them into your preferred sequence. When you're happy with the order, tap "Done," and your playlist will appear on your profile.

Method 2: Creating a Playlist from a Single Video

This method is perfect when you've just posted a video that you know is the start of a great new series.

1. Choose a Video: Go to the public video you want to use to start the playlist.
2. Open the Menu: Tap the "Share" icon (it typically looks like three dots or a paper airplane icon) on the right side of the screen.
3. Add to Playlist: In the options menu that appears at the bottom, find and tap the 'Add to playlist' button.
4. Start a New Playlist: Since you're creating a new one, tap "Create a playlist."
5. Name It: You'll be prompted to enter a name for your new playlist. Do that and tap "Next." TikTok will automatically add the video you started with, and your new playlist will be created. You can then add more videos to it later.

How to Manage Your Existing TikTok Playlists

Creating your playlists is just the beginning. You also need to know how to keep them updated, organized, and relevant. Managing them is simple and can be done right from your profile page.

Adding or Removing Videos

To add a new video to an existing playlist, navigate to that video, tap the 'Share' menu, select 'Add to playlist,' and choose the one you want. To remove a video, go to the playlist, tap the three-dot menu icon in the upper right corner, select 'Edit playlist,' and you'll see a minus symbol next to each video. Tap it to remove the video from that collection.

Changing a Playlist's Name

Did you think of a better, more keyword-friendly title? No problem. Go into the playlist, tap the three dots in the top corner, and select 'Change playlist name.' This will let you update the title without affecting the videos inside.

Reordering Videos Within a Playlist

The order of your videos matters, especially for a tutorial or story series. To reorder them, open the playlist, tap the three-dot menu, and choose 'Edit playlist.' From there, you can drag and drop your videos into the correct sequence. The video at the top will play first.

Deleting a Playlist

If a playlist is no longer relevant, you can delete it completely. Enter the playlist, tap the three-dot menu, and select 'Delete playlist.' This action is permanent, but don't worry - it only deletes the playlist itself, not the videos that were in it. Those videos will remain on your profile grid.

Playlist Strategies to Grow Your Account

Knowing how to make a playlist is only half the battle. Knowing what to make playlists about is what separates casual creators from strategic brand-builders. Here are some proven concepts to get you started:

1. Create Episodic Series

If you create content that builds on itself, playlists are your best friend. This is perfect for:

• Storytelling: Group videos that tell a continuous story, whether it's a personal journey, a fictional narrative, or a project build from start to finish.
• Tutorials: Break down a complex skill into bite-sized lessons. Think "Learn Photoshop in 5 Days," "Baking Basics," or "My 30-Day Fitness Challenge."
• Q&,A Series: A great way to build community is to answer follower questions. Group them into playlists like "Weekly Marketing Q&,A" or "Answering Your Comments."

2. Thematic Content Buckets

Group videos by a common theme to help followers find exactly what they're looking for. This works well for lifestyle, business, and educational content.

• Recipe Collections: A food creator could have playlists for "30-Minute Dinners," "Healthy Breakfasts," and "Holiday Baking."
• Workouts: A fitness influencer could create playlists like "Quick HIIT Workouts," "Beginner Yoga Flows," and "Mobility stretches."
• Pro Tips: A business coach could organize content into "Sales Advice," "Productivity Hacks," and "Content Creation Tips."

3. Showcase Your Business and Products

For brands and entrepreneurs, playlists are an excellent tool for guiding potential customers through your offerings.

• Product Demos: Create a playlist for each of your key products, showing off their features and how they work.
• Customer Testimonials: Group all your glowing customer video reviews into one powerful social proof playlist.
• Behind the Scenes: Build trust and connection by creating a playlist dedicated to how your product is made, introducing your team, or showing a day in the life at your company.

What To Do if You Don't Have the Playlist Feature

Feeling left out? It's frustrating when you see a helpful feature that hasn't made its way to your account yet. First, don't panic. TikTok often rolls out features in phases. If you don't have it yet, here are a few things you can do:

1. Switch to a Creator or Business Account: The playlist feature is almost exclusively for these account types. If you're still on a personal account, make the switch in your settings. It's free and gives you access to analytics and other tools.
2. Stay Active and Engaged: While no one knows the exact threshold, accounts that post regularly and have an engaged community seem to get new features first. Focus on creating value and connecting with your audience.
3. Update Your App: This might seem obvious, but make sure you're always running the latest version of the TikTok app from your device's app store.

In the meantime, you can use hashtags to create an unofficial grouping system. For a series, use a unique and consistent hashtag like #KatesKnittingTips or #TomBuildsACabin. You can instruct viewers to tap that hashtag to see all the other videos in the series. It's a solid workaround until the official feature arrives.

Final Thoughts

Grouping your TikTok videos with playlists is more than just a housekeeping task, it's a strategic move that enhances the viewer experience, increases watch time, and solidifies your authority. By thoughtfully organizing your content into binge-worthy collections, you turn casual passersby into dedicated followers.

As you get into the habit of planning content specifically for these playlists, you'll find that having the right tool to map out your ideas is essential. At Postbase, we designed our visual calendar to help creators and social media managers see their entire content strategy at a glance. You can easily plan your TikTok series week by week, drag and drop ideas, and schedule your videos alongside all your other social media posts, making sure your entire digital presence is cohesive and consistently on-brand.