TikTok officially calls a battle a LIVE match: a competition between creators in a co-host LIVE. Viewers earn points for you with Gifts and likes, and whoever has the most points wins. You start one via +Hosts and then Match.
What is a TikTok LIVE battle?
TikTok calls it a LIVE match. It is a co-host mode: a challenge creators take on together during a co-host LIVE, in which several creators are LIVE at the same time. You compete solo against others or as part of a team. Viewers support their favourite creator by sending Gifts or liking the LIVE. Each Gift or like represents a certain number of points, and the creator or team with the most points wins.
To go LIVE you must be at least 18 years old. The same applies to sending or receiving Gifts.
How do you start a TikTok LIVE battle, step by step?
First you start a co-host, then the match.
- During your LIVE, tap +Hosts at the bottom.
- Tap Send to invite a random recommended creator, or Invite to choose a friend (followers you follow back) or another creator.
- Once the other creator accepts, the co-host starts.
- Tap Match at the bottom.
- With 2 people in the co-host, tap Send invite. With more people, first tap Solo match or Team match, then Send invite.
Once the invite is accepted, the match starts.
How do points work in a TikTok LIVE match?
You choose whether all Gifts count or only specific Gifts. In a specific-Gift match, viewers can still send other Gifts or like the LIVE, but only the chosen Gift counts toward the final score. Explain that to your viewers beforehand, otherwise they think they are helping while your score does not move.
There are also power-ups that loyal supporters can use. How they work can change, so we deliberately give no numbers here.
How long does a TikTok battle last and what happens after?
According to the TikTok LIVE Studio help page:
- A match runs for five minutes.
- If there is a clear winner, a three-minute victory lap follows in which the winner can give the loser a task.
- If there is a draw, both creators return to the co-host scene.
- During the victory lap, the top three contributors on each side are shown at the bottom of the screen.
- If you end the match yourself within the five minutes, you lose.
In LIVE Studio you can also play with more hosts: you co-host with up to three other creators, choose a teammate, and the others form the opposing team. Teammates' points are combined.
How do you make your TikTok battle a success?
- Choose your opponent on purpose. With Send you get a random recommended creator. TikTok suggests creators based on things like their app language, their number of followers and their past LIVE content. If you want to play someone with an audience that speaks your language, invite them yourself.
- Announce your battle. Put the day and time in your videos and your bio so your supporters are there.
- Keep the loser's task fun and safe. The Community Guidelines apply during a victory lap too.
- Thank your supporters by name. People who take part want to be seen.
How SPA helps you with this
At SPA your personal coach helps you plan your battles: with whom, when, and how to get your supporters ready beforehand. Joining costs nothing, all your earnings stay yours, and on top of that you can earn an extra bonus every month. We only work with creators aged 18 or over.
Other guides
Sources
Official TikTok pages this guide is based on.