TikTok is reportedly creating a brand new nonetheless picture app to compete with Instagram.
Eagle-eyed observers have noticed new references to “TikTok Pictures” throughout the back-end code of the app.
The code seems to counsel that TikTok customers will quickly begin receiving prompts, encouraging them to share nonetheless pictures within the new app to “attain like-minded individuals who get pleasure from photograph posts,” based on The SpAndroid.
Why we care. If TikTok had been to launch a rival to Instagram, it may provide entrepreneurs one other probability to succeed in and join with Gen Z, given TikTok’s recognition 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 Pictures will probably be launched quickly, we hope that can assist you achieve new audiences within the new app. If the swap is on, we’ll sync your public images to the brand new app, whether or not you shut the pop-up or not.”
Hints. The information comes after TikTok launched a devoted “photo mode” for nonetheless pictures in-stream in 2022. The platform mentioned on the time:
- “Picture Mode lets you share carousel posts of nonetheless pictures that mechanically show one after one other. You possibly can add music to soundtrack the pictures, which viewers can swipe via at their very own tempo.”
Extra just lately, TikTok has additionally been encouraging customers to share extra nonetheless pictures, 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 folks to submit images, 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 often known as the short-form video app.”
- “As soon as I posted this on LinkedIn and Twitter folks informed me their carousels are performing very 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 revamped $500 million in revenue, far more than anticipated, and now has over 200 million customers in China. Given its success, it is smart 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 dealing with a doable ban in 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.
