In a significant move following recent legal developments regarding TikTok in the US, Instagram is ramping up its efforts to attract users from the popular short-video platform. Earlier today, the US Supreme Court upheld a law that may result in a ban on TikTok unless the app undergoes major changes by January 19. With the shutdown looming and negotiations stalled, TikTok has announced its plans to cease operations in the US as of Sunday, despite the fact that the law only obligates Google and Apple to remove the app from their stores.
Instagram has seized this opportunity by unveiling two new features for its Reels platform, designed to enhance user engagement and replicate TikTok's appeal. These enhancements are poised to capitalize on the expected influx of TikTok users searching for alternatives.
The newly introduced features include a section where users can discover which Reels their friends are liking or commenting on—conveniently located in the top right corner of the Reels tab. Additionally, a new reply bar will facilitate conversations around content that users enjoy, encouraging interactions across the platform. This move not only aims to enhance user experience but also to increase the visibility of Reels among potential new followers.
These features will initially be available in the US, with plans to roll them out to other regions in the future, demonstrating Instagram's intent to establish itself as the leading platform for short-form video content during this pivotal period for TikTok.
