In an effort to compete more effectively with YouTube, TikTok is enhancing its desktop platform by introducing a range of new functionalities. The company announced on Thursday that the updated web experience now features a modular design, an upgraded For You feed, a fresh Explore tab, full-screen LIVE gaming streaming, and a versatile floating player.

The revamped desktop interface includes a redesigned navigation bar, enhancing the immersive and distraction-free viewing experience to better align with the mobile version of TikTok.

Moreover, gamers can now broadcast live in both portrait and landscape orientations. Desktop users will see the content in a horizontal format, while mobile users can easily rotate their devices for the same view. This strategic move positions TikTok to challenge the dominance of Twitch and YouTube in the gaming stream sector.

In addition, TikTok is rolling out a new “Collections” feature that allows users to categorize their favorite videos into personalized groups. This aims to simplify the process of locating and revisiting saved content whenever they wish.

For example, users can create a collection that groups all their chosen recipe videos, while another can focus on DIY favorites. This feature resembles YouTube’s “Playlists,” enabling users to save videos for future viewing.

Desktop users are also introduced to an exclusive floating player, currently available on Google Chrome. This adaptable floating window allows TikTok videos to remain visible above other tabs, giving users the freedom to multitask while enjoying content. Notably, this functionality has long been offered with YouTube videos.

The much-anticipated “Explore” page is now available on desktop as well, offering users a specially curated collection of content tailored to their interests.

“Our users engage with TikTok in multiple ways, which is why we’re thrilled to announce these exciting web app enhancements,” stated Cody Puckett, product manager at TikTok, in a blog entry. “By upgrading our desktop features, we aim to bring the enchanting experience of TikTok to users’ desktops, providing an engaging and versatile platform for enjoying TikTok anytime, anywhere. As we evolve, we remain devoted to innovation for our community, ensuring accessibility for everyone.”

While TikTok is traditionally a mobile-focused platform, streamlining the desktop experience is a logical step as it strives to compete with YouTube and Twitch. Despite being the leader in short-form videos, TikTok still trails behind YouTube, which boasts 2.5 billion active users. This is why the company has been introducing new features to challenge the Google-owned platform head-on.

In recent years, TikTok has extended the time limit for videos on its platform and has even been spotted experimenting with 60-minute uploads at various times. Initially starting with 15 to 60-second videos, the platform has now expanded to allow users to share recordings of up to 10 minutes.

Moreover, TikTok has introduced video-scrubbing thumbnails and has tested horizontal full-screen mode on mobile devices, both aimed at improving the experience for viewing longer content.

With over a billion users worldwide, TikTok continues to serve as a platform for entertainment and discovery while constantly exploring new ways to enhance user experience and adapt to evolving preferences.