From dance trends to hashtag challenges, TikTok is the hub of viral content. This is largely due to the nature of the app, which is designed to encourage participation. TikTok has a bunch of features that make it easy for users to participate in trends such as the option to easily use a popular song in their video. One of those features is the Duet tool, which allows users to create original content using an existing video.
In this guide, we show you how to use Duet on TikTok and why you should use it. We even provide you with 10 amazing Duet ideas to inspire your content creation. Let’s get started.
How to Duet on TikTok: (+10 TikTok Duet Ideas)
What is Duet on TikTok?
Duet is a feature on TikTok that allows users to create content with a video from another creator. The two videos appear alongside each other on a split-screen and will play simultaneously, unlike Stitch, where the two clips are “stitched” together and played in a sequence one after the other.
@richardsalesofficial #duet with @mrmojochris WOW THIS VIDEO HAS MADE MY NIGHT - Instagram - richardsalesofficial #viral #xyzbca #FYP ♬ Je te laisserai des mots - Patrick Watson
This feature makes it super easy for users to collaborate with other content creators or attempt a viral challenge. As such, it promotes participation among users and sets the stage for viral content.
Benefits of Using Duet on TikTok
At first glance, the Duet feature may seem like just a fun tool that you can play around with. But it can have a number of benefits for both brands and content creators.
Connecting with Your Audience
Doing a Duet is a great way to stay relevant and show your audience that you’re “with the times.” Since TikTok users tend to keep up with the latest trends on the platform, creating a Duet related to a current trend can help you connect with your audience.
Improving Visibility
Due to the nature of the TikTok algorithm, creating content related to a trending video makes your video more likely to show up on the pages of relevant users. As a result, it can significantly boost your visibility on the platform.
Diversifying Your Content
TikTok Duets are a goldmine for content ideas. They allow you to create fresh and engaging content based on existing videos from other creators so you can keep your TikTok content as diverse as possible.
Boosting Engagement
As it allows you to piggyback on content that’s already proven to drive engagement, the Duet feature also enables you to garner engagement from your audience.
How to Do a Duet on TikTok
It’s extremely easy to do a Duet on TikTok. So you should have no trouble getting started even if you’re completely new to the platform. Just follow the steps below to do a Duet on TikTok:
How to Add a Sound to a Duet
By default, the sound from the original video will be used in your Duet video and your mic will be turned off. However, you have the option to change this. To record your audio, make sure to turn on your mic on the right-hand panel before you begin recording. This will allow you to record music or your own audio to add to the finished video.
Source: followchain.org
Once your recording is ready, tap on the volume button on the right-hand panel of the screen. From here, you can adjust the volume level of the original sound and the added sound. You can turn the sound from the original video all the way down if you want it muted.
Additionally, you can tap on the voiceover button on the right-hand panel to add a voiceover. Adjust the timing of your voiceover using the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen and begin recording.
Source: followchain.org
Managing Your Duet Settings on TikTok
TikTok gives you lots of control over who gets to Duet with your videos. In fact, you can even change the Duet settings for each of the videos you share on the platform.
Choosing Who Can Duet with Your Videos
Source: backlightblog.com
To adjust who can Duet with your videos, go to your privacy settings. Then select “Who can Duet with your videos.” From here, you can choose whether you want to allow everyone to Duet with your videos or restrict it to just your friends i.e. the followers you follow back. You can also set this to only you so no one else can Duet with any of your videos.
Enabling and Disabling Duet
Additionally, you can change the Duet settings for each video before you upload it. Before sharing the video, scroll down to the settings and toggle on or off the “Allow Duet” option. This will enable the Duet option for the group you’ve selected in your privacy settings. For example, if you allow only your friends to Duet with your videos and then enable Duet option for a single video, then your friends will be able to Duet with said video.
10 TikTok Duet Ideas to Inspire You
Now that you know how to Duet on TikTok, it’s time to get to the fun part–actually creating your Duet videos. If you’re not sure how to get started, here are a few Duet ideas to inspire you:
1: Participate in a TikTok Trend/ Attempt a Viral Challenge
One of the most popular uses of Duet is for participating in a TikTok trend. This typically involves attempting a viral challenge like dancing along to the original choreography, performing a physical feat, creating something original, or trying out some unusual hacks.
This adds room for tons of creativity, allowing content creators to add a personal touch to the video while sticking to a recurring theme. For example, TikTok user @zai1k_ created a Duet video where he participated in the Open Verse Challenge, singing an original song to the tune set by another user. The video received 9.1 million likes and tons of positive comments from fans who raved about his voice.
@zai1k_ I wont text you at all ???♂️ #zai1k #duet #EveryKiss #YerAWizard ♬ original sound - Zai¹ᵏ
2: Provide Commentary or Respond to a Video
Another popular option for using the Duet feature is to provide a commentary or respond to a video. This is a great option especially if you’re an expert in your niche/field, where you can provide some professional insights, fact-check people, or share expert tips.
Ideally, choose a video that’s making the rounds on TikTok and is already getting tons of attention. This will make people more likely to watch and engage with your video.
Dr. Shah, more popularly known as @dermdoctor, has 13.6 million followers on TikTok. He regularly creates Duet videos to provide his expert input on viral skincare “tips” to help people make informed decisions. For example, he created a “DermDoctor Warns” Duet in which he warned users not to try a viral “pimple hack” that made the rounds on TikTok.
@dermdoctor Please don’t do this @macy.dowell #dermdoctor #dermatologist #pimplehack ♬ original sound - Dr. Shah
3: Create a Reaction Video
Reaction videos are not dead, especially with the Duet feature making it easier than ever to create them on TikTok. You could create a Duet reacting to a viral video or a video in which people tried your products, tips, or challenge. This is a great way to engage your viewers and keep providing them with fresh and entertaining content.
For example, Hyram, the influencer known for his skincare advice, created a Duet video in which he reacted to a video from a fan. In the original video, the fan shared a before-and-after transformation of what happened to her skin after listening to the influencer. Hyram shared his reaction, showing how delighted he was to see the transformation.
@hyram MY FAVORITE THING EVER ❤️ not gonna lie, teared up a lil after this ? #duet with @zofie_kocol #skincare #skincarebyhyram ♬ Spongebob - DrumCorpsKat
4: Coordinate with another Creator
The Duet feature was made for collaboration, and that’s exactly what you should do. Leverage the split-screen format of this tool to create a video that coordinates with another creator’s video. You could sing along with them, pretend to be in a conversation with them, or even act out scenes with them.
TikTok user @saraechegaray did just that, creating a coordinating video with actor Chris Barnett’s original vintage acting challenge clip. In the Duet, the user pretends to act out a scene with the original creator, where they exchange a dialogue. The video received 5.5 million likes and the comment section overflowed with praises for the user’s acting skills.
@saraecheagaray #duet with @thechrisbarnett i suck at accents, i know #fyp #foryou #acting ♬ Once Upon a Dream - Invadable Harmony
5: Reshare Your Most Popular Videos
Did you know that you can also Duet with your own videos? That means you can use the feature to repurpose a popular video that you previously shared. By riding the coattails of the previous video’s success, you can provide your audience with fresh content and drive new engagement. You could add commentary to the previous video, try to remake it, or even include fresh ideas/tips to add to the existing content.
For example, TikTok influencer Bella Poarch, who currently has over 88 million followers on the platform, created the following Duet with her most liked TikTok video. She tried to remake the original video and took the opportunity to thank her fans, amassing 19.6 million likes in the process.
@bellapoarch #duet with @bellapoarch ♬ M to the B - Millie B
6: Acknowledge Your Biggest Fans
Duet also gives you the opportunity to shine a spotlight on your fans. Make your fans feel appreciated by doing a Duet with them, especially if they specifically mentioned you in the original video. This is exactly what Charli D’Amelio did when a fan requested her to Duet with her.
@charlidamelio #duet with @andiesjourney ♬ Better When I'm Dancin' - Meghan Trainor
Jack Black did the same when AMH Band created a series of videos asking the actor to Duet with them. He responded with a Duet video in which he continued singing the song from the original video.
@jackblack #duet with @amhband ♬ original sound - AMH Band
7: Show Off Your Talent
Another excellent way to leverage the Duet feature is to showcase your talent. Choose a video that you like and add to it or do your version of it to show off your skills. Ideally, you should try this out with a trending TikTok video to improve your content visibility on the platform.
For example, TikTok creator @edjcontreras created a flipbook version of a popular dance video from Charli D’Amelio. This allowed him to showcase his skills at making flipbooks and managed to garner 6.5 million likes.
@edjcontreras #duet with @charlidamelio who won? #dance #flipbook #drawing #foryou #fyp ♬ VMESHBEATS ADDERALL X BOO X IG FREESTYLE - Varoon Ramesh
8: Imitate another Creator
TikTok was made for entertainment. And the Duet feature is a great way to capitalize on it as it allows you to create parodies and hilarious reenactments of videos from other content creators. See how TikTok creator @jsmittyy imitated Charli D’Amelio for the following Duet.
@jsmittyy ROUND 3: Chubby College guy VS 15 year old dancer. Who won? #duet with @charlidamelio ♬ Sean Paul - Get Busy (Shake That Thing) - Laurie Elle
9: Guess the Outcome of another Video
One way to make your TikTok videos fun and engaging is by creating a game out of them. You can turn your Duet into a game by guessing what the outcome of the original video will be. Look for a video in which there’s enough buildup that allows you to guess what’s going to happen at the end of the video.
For example, TikTok user @mycolordad did a Duet with a video where another creator mixes paint. In the Duet, the user’s dad tries to guess what the final color will be based on the colors that were added into the paint mix.
@mycolordad #duet with @paintturner ♬ original sound - Brendan
10: Create an Explainer Video for a TikTok Trend
Duets also give you the opportunity to share informative content related to trending videos. You could share tutorial videos or explainers to help people understand how to do a certain trend or how the trend works.
Medical TikTok influencer @tonyyoumd shared the following explainer video to discuss how hydrocolloid patches work. Since the patches became viral on TikTok, the plastic surgeon’s informative explainer helped people understand how and if they really worked.
@tonyyounmd #duet with @svetlana_angela do Hydrocollood patches work? #acne #pimples #hydrocolloid #hydrocolloidbandages #learnontiktok ♬ We Can't Be Friends - Dream Koala
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t I have the Duet option on TikTok?
If you don’t see the Duet option on TikTok, it’s likely because the creator has disabled the option to Duet with their video.
How do you Duet a video?
You can Duet a video by tapping on the share button, selecting the “Duet” option, and recording your video.
How do you know if someone Duets with you on TikTok?
You can search for “duet @[your username]” to find Duets from people who used your video to create a Duet.
Can you Duet a TikTok with a video from your camera roll?
TikTok currently doesn’t have the option to Duet with a video from your camera roll.
How do you split screen on TikTok?
You can split-screen on TikTok by choosing the option to Duet with a video.
