What Does Shared with You Mean on TikTok
Sometimes on TikTok, you’ll notice a video with the label “Shared with you.” This tag isn’t random — it simply means someone from your contacts or followers sent you that video privately.
This short guide explains what that label means, where you’ll find it, and how to manage it through your settings, so you stay in control of what you see.
What Does Shared with You Mean on TikTok
“Shared with you” means that someone — usually a friend or follower — has sent you a video through Direct Message (DM), and TikTok has now placed that same video on your For You Page (FYP) to make it easier for you to watch.
Why Does the “Shared with You” Feature Exist?
TikTok’s “Shared with you” feature isn’t brand new, but more people have started noticing it. The idea is straightforward: when a friend or follower sends you a video through direct message, TikTok can show that same video again on your For You Page (FYP) — this time with a “Shared with you” tag.
This works as a kind of social signal for TikTok. If someone you know shares a video with you, TikTok considers it more relevant to your interests. That’s why it brings the video back to your feed — so it’s easier for you to watch and engage with content that might actually matter to you.
Where Does the “Shared with You” Label Show Up?
You can check the “Shared with you” label in a few different places across the TikTok app:
For You Page (FYP): When someone shares a video with you, it might appear again in your feed with the “Shared with you” tag on it.
Inbox Section: If you click on a video link inside your DMs, that same video can sometimes show up later on your FYP as well.
Video Thumbnails: While browsing or searching within the app, you might also see this label on video previews.
The reason TikTok highlights this label is simple — it helps you quickly find and engage with videos others have shared with you, without needing to search for them manually.
Also read: How to Turn Off Profile Views on TikTok
How Does the “Shared with You” Feature Work?
Here’s how the logic behind the “Shared with you” feature works:
- When someone sends you a video through TikTok DMs,
- TikTok pushes that video to your For You Page (FYP),
- And adds a “Shared with you” label beneath the video.
This is part of TikTok’s algorithm that uses your social activity to shape your FYP recommendations. The idea is simple — TikTok believes that videos shared by friends are more likely to catch your attention and keep you engaged.
Also read: Why Can’t I Follow People on TikTok
How to View “Shared with You” Videos on TikTok
If you want to check which videos have been shared with you, follow these steps:
- Open the TikTok app.
- Click the Inbox icon from the bottom menu.
- Open the message thread from the person who sent you the video.
- Click on the video, or look for it again on your FYP with the “Shared with you” label.
Note: TikTok doesn’t have a separate section for shared videos, but you can usually find them on your FYP with the label — making them easier to find and watch.
Can You Turn Off the “Shared with You” Feature?
You can’t fully disable the “Shared with you” feature, but you can reduce its impact by tweaking a few privacy settings. Here’s how:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Direct Messages
- Choose who can send you messages:
- Everyone
- Friends
- No one
- Everyone
You can also go to your Notifications settings and turn off alerts for Video Shares. This won’t stop the videos from appearing entirely, but it can help limit how often shared content shows up on your FYP.
These changes won’t block the feature completely, but they give you a bit more control over what you see.
Also read: What Does PMO Mean on TikTok?
Is the “Shared with You” Feature Helpful or Just a Distraction?
Like most features, “Shared with you” comes with both pros and cons:
Benefits:
- Videos shared by your friends or contacts are easier to access.
- Recommendations start to feel more personal and suitable to your interests.
- TikTok adjusts your FYP based on what people in your circle are watching.
Drawbacks:
- Sometimes, unrelated or boring videos end up on your FYP just because someone shared them.
- If many people send you random content, your feed can start to feel messy.
- For privacy-conscious users, this feature might feel a bit intrusive.
Also read: How TikTok Is Improving Privacy
Tips for Users Who Share Videos on TikTok
If you often share videos with friends, following a few simple tips can make the experience better for both sides:
- Only share videos you genuinely find helpful, funny, or interesting.
- Avoid spamming — sending too many videos can get annoying.
- Only share something if you’re sure your friend would enjoy it or find it useful.
If you send too much stuff, there’s a good chance they’ll mute or block you — so just don’t overdo it.
FAQs
Q1: Is the “Shared with You” Label Available for Everyone?
Yes, the “Shared with you” feature is available to all TikTok users — whether you’re on Android or iPhone. Whenever a friend or follower sends you a video through direct message, TikTok may highlight that video on your For You Page (FYP) with the “Shared with you” label.
Keep in mind: This label only shows up on videos that were directly shared with you. If no one has sent you any content, you won’t see it. So while the feature exists for everyone, it only becomes active when someone shares a video with you.
Q2: Can I See Who Shared a Video with Me on TikTok?
TikTok doesn’t directly show who shared a video with you on your For You Page. When you see the label “Shared with you” under a video, it simply means someone sent you that content — but their name won’t be visible there.
However, if you want to find out who shared it, just check your TikTok inbox or DMs. You’ll likely find the same video there, along with the name of the person who sent it to you.
Q3: Can the “Shared with You” Feature Be Permanently Disabled on TikTok?
No, TikTok doesn’t currently offer an official way to turn off the “Shared with you” feature. It’s a built-in part of the app’s algorithm designed to personalize your For You Page experience. However, if you find it annoying or have privacy concerns, you can tweak a few settings to reduce how often it shows up.
Here’s how to adjust your settings:
- Go to: Settings > Privacy > Direct Messages
- From there, you can control who’s allowed to send you videos or messages by choosing from these options:
- Everyone
- Friends
- No one
- Everyone
Also, go to the Notifications section and turn off alerts for “Video Shares” to stop receiving unnecessary reminders.
Final Thoughts
If TikTok’s “Shared with you” feature ever felt unclear, hopefully it makes more sense now. Some people find it useful, while others don’t really like it — and that’s okay. You can make it work better for you by changing a few privacy settings based on how you use the app.