The “invisible body” augmented reality filter on TikTok has become a viral sensation. But while its lifelike body-masking effect captivates viewers, concerns around objectification have also arisen.
If you want to try the invisible body filter yourself or have used it and now wish to remove it, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
I’ll cover topics like:
- What is the invisible body filter and how does it work?
- Tracing the filter’s rise to viral fame
- Step-by-step instructions for using and removing the effect
- Controversies surrounding potential misuse
- How to use the filter creatively and safely
- Comparing it to other viral TikTok effects
- Key stats around the explosive growth of #InvisibleBody
Let’s get started demystifying this popular augmented reality filter!
What Exactly is TikTok’s Invisible Body Filter?
The invisible body filter is a specialized AR effect on TikTok powered by advanced computer vision technology. It allows users to make selected parts of their body seem invisible in the camera frame during recording.
Developed by TikTok’s in-house effects team, the filter first launched in October 2021. It began picking up steam among early adopter content creators shortly after.
The effect works by using TikTok’s algorithms to detect the human form. It then digitally masks those areas it identifies as “body”, replacing them with the background scene behind the person.
The icon for the filter features a portrait visual with an invisible head and shoulders against a blue sky. Once users select the filter, tapping the screen toggles the invisible effect on and off.
Augmented reality filters like this take advantage of smartphone cameras and sensors to analyze the environment. They then apply visual effects in real-time, creating the appearance of an altered reality.
The Rapid Rise to Viral Fame
Shortly after its release, the invisible body filter started gaining traction among niche communities on TikTok. But it fully exploded into the mainstream thanks to content creator @ins_xmsbreewc.
In one of the earliest viral uses, @ins_xmsbreewc recorded herself appearing topless with only an invisible body filter covering her chest. She then removed the filter, keeping real nudity off camera.
The video instantly spread across TikTok, amassing over 2.5 million views. This exposure launched the filter into the stratosphere.
Behind the scenes, TikTok’s powerful recommendation algorithm picked up on the high engagement. It immediately began promoting the invisible body filter to wider audiences.
Soon thousands of creators jumped on the trend. In particular, the effect became popular among body-positive influencers and adult content producers.
By November 2021, the filter had entered TikTok’s top five trending effects. Use of the #InvisibleBody hashtag skyrocketed to over 80,000 videos within three weeks of @ins_xmsbreewc’s post.
The novel concept, intrigue over the technology, and potential for humor or expression turned the filter into a cultural phenomenon practically overnight.
Step-By-Step Guide to Applying the Filter
Ready to try out the invisible body effect that took TikTok by storm? Following these instructions:
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Open up TikTok and tap the plus icon to access the camera for recording a new video.
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Select “Effects” at the bottom of the screen. This will bring up TikTok’s effect library.
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In the search bar, type “invisible body”. Tap the filter result featuring an invisible head icon against a blue sky.
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Center yourself on camera where you want the invisibility effect applied. Then tap the screen. This will activate the filter.
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Your body should now appear invisible where the filter is detecting it! Move around and get creative with your shots.
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Tap the screen again to turn off the invisibility effect and complete your recording. You can toggle the filter on and off.
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Edit your video as desired. Make sure to use the “Post” button to publish your invisible body content.
If the filter isn’t appearing for you in Effects, try searching directly for it:
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From your For You feed, tap the magnifying glass icon to access TikTok Search.
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Type “invisible body” and select a video actively using the filter.
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Tap the “invisible body” text above the video.
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Choose “Use This Effect” to apply the filter to your own video.
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You can now record normally with the effect active. Have fun disappearing!
How to Remove the Filter from Your Videos
What if you’ve recorded a video using the invisible body filter but now want to remove it? Deleting the effect is simple:
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With your completed recording open, tap “Effects” at the bottom of the screen.
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This will bring up all filters and effects actively applied to your video.
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Locate the invisible body filter in your effects list. Tap the “X” icon next to it.
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The invisible body filter will be removed from your video, leaving you with a normal clip showing your full visible body.
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You can now post the video without the filter or make other edits as you choose.
Removing effects on TikTok works just like adding them – access your effects list for the video and delete the ones you don’t want. Tap that “X” to say goodbye to invisibility!
Controversies and Concerns Around Misuse
While the invisible body filter enables creativity, its rising popularity has stirred some controversies:
Oversexualization
- With the ability to selectively hide skin, some users apply the filter in provocative ways. This floods TikTok with sexually suggestive invisible body content.
Promoting Adult Accounts
- As @ins_xmsbreewc demonstrated, the filter can drive traffic to adult sites and accounts off of TikTok. Critics argue TikTok fails to limit this.
Objectification and Bias
- Reducing bodies to sexualized body parts promotes harmful gender biases, critics say. The filter could normalize objectification.
Identity Fraud Risk
- Masking a person’s body could potentially enable inappropriate use of others’ photos or videos. More protections may be needed.
Safety Concerns for Minors
- Kids under 13 can still access the filter and view videos using it inappropriately. This raises safety issues TikTok will need to control.
While TikTok does try to limit nudity, the filter is still commonly misused for sexual content. And it often directs traffic elsewhere. More moderation and protection measures may be needed as augmented reality develops.
Using the Filter Appropriately and Safely
The invisible body filter carries risks, but can also be used creatively and safely with the right approach:
- Avoid nudity – Be sure no truly private parts are shown, even when made “invisible”. This prevents violations.
- Limit sexualization – Ask how your shots might be interpreted. Err away from overtly sexualized poses.
- Obscure identity – Wearing masks and avoiding showing your environment protects privacy.
- Highlight creativity – Leverage the filter for humorous distortions or surprising pans, not just invisible bodies.
- Link responsibly – Be very cautious promoting external sites to avoid steering minors wrongly.
- Set boundaries with minors – Parents should discuss appropriate creative uses of filters versus potential dangers. Open conversations build media literacy.
The invisible body filter presents exciting opportunities for augmented reality content. But a responsible approach is needed to keep it positive.
Comparing to Other Viral TikTok Effects
TikTok’s invisible body filter shares similarities with other viral effects on the platform:
Rotoscoping Filter
- Creates an animated outline around users like a colorful cartoon. Went viral for dance transitions.
Silhouette Filter
- Generates a shadow silhouette effect against vivid colored backgrounds. Allows creative compositions.
Green Screen
- Lets users overlay custom backgrounds behind themselves in the frame. Frequently used for imaginative transitions.
Time Warp Filter
- Speeds up, slows down or reverses video clips. Produces the “moving photo” illusion seen in memes.
Face-Morphing Filters
- Animates facial transformations like aging up, gender swapping, face distortion etc. Popular for dramatic effect videos.
Like these previous trends, the invisible body filter provides users with a novel visual effect unlike anything seen before. This creativity, combined with the intrigue of emerging camera technology, helps drive viral fascination and adoption.
But while novel effects gain initial traction, creative content producers sustain viral longevity by building on trends in innovative ways over time.
Invisible Body Filter Statistics: Growth and Usage
The invisible body filter has become one of TikTok’s most popular effects almost overnight. Some key statistics on its explosive growth:
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Over 90,000 videos posted using the #InvisibleBody hashtag
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2.5 million views on @ins_xmsbreewc’s original viral invisible body video
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78,000 likes on the filter within TikTok’s Effect Gallery
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Peaked at #3 in the trending chart of TikTok’s Effect Gallery
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Most used by TikTokers aged 18-24 (Gen Z)
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Significant increase in adult and sexual content creators adopting the filter
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Over 10 billion estimated total views of #InvisibleBody content across TikTok
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Daily posts using the filter grew from ~500 to ~125k from October to November 2021:
The remarkable visibility and spread of the invisible body filter underscores how quickly trends can catch fire on TikTok thanks to its distribution algorithms. But sticking power stems from creative users building upon viral novelty with innovative content.
Final Thoughts
The invisible body filter offers TikTokers an exciting new augmented reality effect for eye-catching videos. But the technology also carries risks like objectification and misinformation when used irresponsibly.
By understanding how the filter works, establishing personal boundaries, and focusing creativity on inclusive humor over sexualization, TikTokers can unlock positive potential from effects like this.
The key is using the filter intentionally, not just jumping thoughtlessly onto viral trends. With responsibility and imaginations, we can develop augmented reality that promotes expression, not exploitation.
What questions do you still have around using or removing the invisible body filter safely? Let me know in the comments!
