TikTok Launches "University Verification" to Connect Students

In a move reminiscent of Facebook's early days, the TikTok app is launching an innovative feature that allows university students to effectively search for and connect with their campus peers. This feature, named "University Verification," enables users to add their university to their TikTok profile and browse a list of students registered at the same educational institution.

To access this feature, users must go to their profile and click on the "Add University" option. After that, they enter their university name and specify their graduation year. To verify their actual affiliation with the mentioned university, they must provide their academic email address for verification. Once the process is complete, the university name and graduation year will be displayed on the user's profile. Students can then browse their university's page, apply filters by graduation year, and view all users who have added the university to their profiles. They also have the option to sort the user list to show the most followed first.

Global Partnership and the Feature's Goal

The "University Verification" feature is available at over 6000 universities worldwide, thanks to TikTok's partnership with UNiDAYS, a leading global student network and platform specializing in instant student identity verification, connecting major brands with millions of verified Gen Z students (over 29 million verified members globally as of March 2024).

TikTok confirms that the goal of this feature is to transform its platform into a vibrant hub for real-world connections and a sense of belonging within university campuses, which was the core message of the original Facebook when it launched in 2004 as a way for Harvard University students to connect with each other.

Privacy Concerns and Similar Features on Other Platforms

While TikTok's new feature may be a welcome addition for students seeking to connect with their peers on campus, it also raises legitimate concerns about digital privacy. This feature could make it easier for users to track others online. However, the feature remains entirely optional, allowing those who wish to keep their TikTok presence private from their student life the option not to add their university to their profile.

It's worth noting that the Instagram platform had tested a similar feature last year, allowing users to display their school information and graduation year on their profiles and connect with other students.

It remains unknown whether this feature has been abandoned or if the Meta-owned platform still plans to launch it.