Instagram’s TikTok-Inspired Features: A Strategic Move Amid Uncertainty
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia — In a bold move to capture teh attention of users, Instagram has rolled out a series of updates that bear a striking resemblance to TikTok.This comes as TikTok faces uncertainty in the United States, with its future hanging in the balance.
On Sunday, January 19, Meta unveiled a new video creation app called Edits, which mirrors the functionality of CapCut, a popular app owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. In a video declaration, Instagram’s Head, adam mosseri, emphasized the platform’s commitment to innovation. “We thoght it was our duty to create the most interesting creative tools for those of you who make videos not just for Instagram, but for all the platforms out there,” Mosseri stated.
The timing of these updates is no coincidence. TikTok and CapCut briefly restricted access to US users on Saturday, january 18, just hours before a law regulating the platform’s blocking was set to take effect. Instagram’s new features appear to be a strategic attempt to lure users away from TikTok during this period of instability.
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of a rectangular photo grid, replacing Instagram’s traditional square layout. This design closely mimics TikTok’s profile page,signaling a clear shift in Instagram’s approach to user experience.
Additionally,Instagram has extended the maximum length of Reels videos from 90 seconds to three minutes. This move aligns with TikTok’s 2023 decision to encourage users to post longer videos. “We’ve historically onyl allowed Reels up to 90 seconds given our focus on short-form videos, but we’ve heard feedback that this is too short for those who want to share longer stories,” Mosseri explained in an Instagram post.
Though, Instagram’s strategy may face challenges. US President-Elect Donald Trump has pledged to issue an executive order to save TikTok, granting the platform more time to secure a US buyer. Following Trump’s announcement, TikTok swiftly resumed operations in the US, potentially undermining Instagram’s efforts to attract “TikTok immigrants.”
Instagram isn’t the only platform vying for TikTok’s audience. Elon Musk’s social media platform,X,has also introduced a vertical video feed,adding a video tab to its app’s bottom bar for rapid access to content.
Key Updates at a Glance
| Feature | Instagram | TikTok |
|—————————|—————————————-|————————————-|
| Video Length | Reels extended to 3 minutes | Encourages longer videos as 2023 |
| Profile Layout | Rectangular photo grid | Rectangular profile page |
| Video Creation Tool | Edits app (similar to CapCut) | CapCut |
As the battle for user engagement intensifies, Instagram’s TikTok-inspired features highlight the platform’s adaptability in a rapidly evolving social media landscape. Weather these updates will succeed in retaining users remains to be seen,but one thing is clear: the competition is fiercer than ever.X Launches Dedicated vertical Video Feed for US Users Amid TikTok Rivalry
In a bold move to compete with the rising dominance of short-form video platforms, X (formerly Twitter) has rolled out a dedicated vertical video feed for its US users. The announcement, made on Sunday (19/1), marks the company’s latest effort to enhance its video experience and attract users in a market increasingly dominated by platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.
According to a report by TechCrunch, the new feature allows users to scroll through short videos seamlessly by tapping on a video in their timeline and swiping up. This dedicated video tab is designed to streamline the viewing experience, offering a centralized hub for vertical video content.
This isn’t X’s first attempt to carve out a space for video on its platform. Earlier, a reverse-engineered app previewed a media tab for videos, but this marks the first official launch of such a feature. The social network has been steadily investing in video content, as evidenced by its standalone TV app launched last year, which showcases videos from various organizations and creators.The timing of this rollout is significant.As its explosive rise in 2020, TikTok has become a formidable competitor to Instagram, prompting the latter to introduce Reels—a TikTok-like feature—in August 2020. this move came just days after former President Donald Trump announced plans to ban TikTok in the US, citing national security concerns.
Interestingly, instead of migrating to Instagram, many TikTok users have turned to another chinese platform, RedNote. Amid the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the US, RedNote has seen a surge in popularity, while Instagram’s downloads have only experienced a slight increase.
the competition in the short-form video space is heating up, with platforms vying for user attention and engagement. X’s new vertical video feed is a clear attempt to capture a share of this lucrative market, offering users an option to TikTok and instagram Reels.
Key Developments in the Short-Form Video Space
| Platform | Feature | Launch Date | impact |
|————–|————-|—————–|————|
| TikTok | short-form vertical videos | 2016 | Dominated the market, prompting competitors to adapt |
| Instagram | Reels | August 2020 | Introduced to counter TikTok’s growth |
| X (Twitter) | vertical video feed | January 2024 | Aims to enhance video experience and attract users |
| RedNote | Short-form videos | 2023 | Gained popularity amid TikTok’s potential ban |
As the battle for short-form video supremacy continues, X’s latest move underscores the importance of innovation in retaining and attracting users. Whether this new feature will help X carve out a significant niche in the competitive landscape remains to be seen.
For now, users can explore the new vertical video feed and experience a fresh way to engage with content on the platform. Stay tuned for more updates as the social media landscape continues to evolve.
Watch the latest Instagram Reel showcasing the new feature Video Landscape: An Interview with Social Media Expert, Dr. Emma wheatley”
dr. Emma Wheatley, a renowned social media analyst adn digital trends specialist, sits down with our Senior Editor too discuss the latest shifts in the short-form video space, following Instagram’s TikTok-inspired updates and X’s launch of a dedicated vertical video feed.
Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of social media, platforms are constantly innovating to capture and retain user attention. Recently, Instagram’s rollout of TikTok-like features and X’s launch of a vertical video feed have sparked conversations about the future of short-form video content.To shed light on thes developments, we invited Dr. Emma Wheatley to share her insights on this dynamic landscape.
The Rise of Short-Form Video and TikTok’s impact
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Wheatley, can you begin by telling us about the rise of short-form video platforms and TikTok’s significant impact on the social media landscape?
Dr. Emma Wheatley (EW): Absolutely. Short-form video platforms have seen tremendous growth in recent years, with TikTok leading the charge. TikTok’s unique features, such as its “For You” page algorithm and creative tools like effects and music synchronization, have attracted a massive user base, especially among younger generations. This has, in turn, prompted other platforms to adapt and innovate to stay relevant.
Instagram’s TikTok-Inspired Updates
SE: Speaking of adaptation,Instagram recently introduced several features that mirror TikTok’s functionality. What do you make of Instagram’s strategy here?
EW: Instagram’s move is a strategic one. By introducing a rectangular photo grid and extending Reels’ maximum length, Instagram is clearly appealing to TikTok users who might be looking for choice platforms. Instagram has the advantage of an established user base, so offering familiar features could help retain users who might or else leave due to uncertainty around TikTok’s future in the U.S.
X’s Vertical Video Feed
SE: Shifting gears,X (formerly Twitter) has launched a dedicated vertical video feed. How does this fit into the larger picture of the short-form video battle?
EW: X’s vertical video feed is another indication that platforms are taking the short-form video space seriously. By adding a video tab for rapid access to content, X is signaling its intention to capture a share of this lucrative market. This move also aligns with the increasing consumer preference for vertical video content, which is especially popular among younger audiences.
The Future of Short-Form Video
SE: with Instagram, TikTok, and X all vying for user attention, how do you see the short-form video space evolving in the coming months?
EW: I believe we’ll continue to see platforms innovating and experimenting with new features to engage users. However, success will depend on striking the right balance between replication and originality. each platform has its unique strengths, and those that can leverage their distinctive features while also adapting to changing user preferences will likely come out on top.
SE: Well said, Dr. Wheatley.Thank you for sharing your insights with us today.
EW: My pleasure. Always exciting to discuss the ever-evolving world of social media.
Stay tuned for more updates as the short-form video battle continues to heat up.
