Instagram Reels looks more and more like TikTok! The social network is testing a tab similar to that of its main competitor for Reels to specifically follow certain Instagramers…
Instagram Reels lance « Following » en Inde
Since its introduction in the social media market, TikTok has continued to dominate the major social media platforms. The application dedicated to short video has even become the most downloaded application in the world for a few years, proven by statistics that make you dizzy.
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It is therefore not surprising that the social networks on the market imitate what makes it successful, starting with its many features.
At Instagram for example, Instagram Reels is the clone of TikTok with its short and creative videos. Despite their few differences, a new update may well prove that Instagram is trying at all costs to copy its competitor in order to steal its limelight.
Tested in India for now, this update unveils specific design changes. While scrolling through their usual Reels feed, Instagram users now see the Following or “Following” tab (like Follow that has been around for a long time on TikTok). This tab is optionally included alongside the main Reels feed.
Salman Memon, a researcher and app enthusiast, is one of the first people to point out the new feature on Twitter.
As the name suggests, the Following tab in Reels is used to display a short video created by other users who are being followed. It is different from Tab Reels which display all video content randomly. Users can thus discover the video content of other users who are being followed in a specific way.
So, just like on TikTok, users can swipe horizontally between the two feed options for short videos: they not only receive the most popular videos in their feed via the main feed, and can view videos from accounts at the same time. that they follow.
Small nuance, TikTok would not be a social network platform
Instagram cannot deny its strong similarity with TikTok, but it should also not be hidden that the latter also copies relevant functions from the meta-universe. The application now uses more and more a “Friends” tab to focus more on the connection between users. Similar to Facebook, TikTok promotes the integration of existing contacts. Moreover, the app allows connecting with Facebook friends through the Friends tab.
Yet Khartonn Weiss, Global Head of Agency and Accounts at TikTok, made it clear at the Gathering Summit in Banff, Alberta, Canada that TikTok is not a social media platform. It is attached to another industry, namely the streaming or entertainment industry.
Categorized social networks like Facebook and Instagram usually scroll while streaming or TV content can run in the background. Unlike these networks, TikTok requires a lot of attention to be used in this way. Watching and listening to TikTok videos means users are less able to focus on a series on TV, for example. This circumstance would make TikTok more of a streaming than a social media platform according to Khartonn Weiss.
With a little hindsight, this small nuance is something to consider for those who plan to present content on a large scale on the platform or use it for promotional purposes.
Why is TikTok arousing so much interest?
Rather than limiting your content feeds to your personal network, TikTok is able to take the best content, on an unlimited range of topics. Thanks to its particular algorithm, the application can show them to you according to your interests, thus allowing the most popular clips to reach a wider audience, regardless of the following of each user.
While you can also filter out the latest uploads from people you know and love, the main “For You” feed is enough to meet their needs.
Regularly releasing new features and updates, Instagram hasn’t been shy about taking a similar approach to try to outdo it and help marketers leverage Instagram Reels in marketing.
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