TikTok is reportedly growing a brand new nonetheless picture app to compete with Instagram.
Eagle-eyed observers have noticed new references to “TikTok Photographs” throughout the back-end code of the app.
The code seems to recommend that TikTok customers will quickly begin receiving prompts, encouraging them to share nonetheless photographs within the new app to “attain like-minded individuals who take pleasure in photograph posts,” in keeping with The SpAndroid.
Why we care. If TikTok had been to launch a rival to Instagram, it might supply entrepreneurs one other likelihood to achieve and join with Gen Z, given TikTok’s reputation amongst this demographic.
Launching quickly? Within the backend code of TikTok, builders have noticed a brand new welcome message hinting on the doable existence of the reported Instagram competitor, that reads:
- “TikTok Photographs can be launched quickly, we hope that will help you acquire new audiences within the new app. If the change is on, we’ll sync your public photographs to the brand new app, whether or not you shut the pop-up or not.”
Hints. The information comes after TikTok launched a devoted “photograph mode” for nonetheless photographs in-stream in 2022. The platform stated on the time:
- “Picture Mode means that you can share carousel posts of nonetheless photographs that robotically show one after one other. You may add music to soundtrack the photographs, which viewers can swipe by means of at their very own tempo.”
Extra not too long ago, TikTok has additionally been encouraging customers to share extra nonetheless photographs, teasing this content material has the potential to generate extra feedback, likes and shares. Lia Haberman, influencer advertising lecturer at UCLA, shared a screenshot of the immediate on Threads:
Haberman then commented:
- “TikTok is operating an in-app promo encouraging individuals to submit photographs, which they declare, in comparison with movies, can get: 2.9x extra feedback 1.9x extra likes 2.6x extra sharesInteresting transfer for the app previously generally known as the short-form video app.”
- “As soon as I posted this on LinkedIn and Twitter individuals instructed me their carousels are performing rather well so I assume the algorithm increase actually does assist.”
Why now? Xiaohongshu, China’s model of Instagram, has notably been doing extraordinarily nicely after introducing eCommerce options to the app. In 2023, the platform remodeled $500 million in revenue, far more than anticipated, and now has over 200 million customers in China. Given its success, it is sensible that ByteDance, the corporate behind TikTok which is predicated in Beijing, is engaged on an identical platform to faucet into this market.
Furthermore, with TikTok going through a doable ban within the U.S., it’s logical for ByteDance to speed up the launch of a brand new platform earlier than any potential ban takes impact.
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What TikTok is saying. TikTok didn’t immeidately reply to Search Engine Land’s request for remark.