TIKTOK is reigniting its bitter rivalry against Instagram with plans to launch a new app that could leave Mark Zuckerberg very worried.
After taking the world by storm with its massively popular video sharing platform, TikTok is poised to take on photos next, stepping right on Instagram’s toes.
Some believe the move is payback for Reels, Instagram’s take on a short-form scrollable video feed that TikTok spearheaded.
The Chinese-owned firm appears to be ploughing ahead with its latest grand plans despite facing a ban in the US.
People could already share photos and slideshows in the main TikTok app but soon there will be a separate app devoted to your snaps.
Users have reported seeing popup alerts for a service called TikTok Notes.
“TikTok Notes, a new app for photo posts, is coming soon!” it reads.
“Your existing and future public TikTok photo posts will be shown on TikTok Notes.
“If you prefer not to show your public TikTok photo posts on TikTok Notes, turn this off now.”
In a statement issued to press, TikTok has confirmed that it is working on a photo-based app.
But the company hasn’t revealed all the finer details as yet.
“As part of our continued commitment to innovating the TikTok experience, we’re exploring ways to empower our community to create and share their creativity with photos and text in a dedicated space for those formats,” a statement reads.
Eager-eyed internet users also uncovered a website with a placeholder image, which has since been removed.
But web history site Internet Archive allows people to still see the page.
On it, we see a sample teaser image along with a link for the aforementioned TikTok Notes.
TikTok vs Instagram: Who will win?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Senior Technology and Science Reporter at The Sun
Another social media app…
TikTok is massive but it’s hard to say whether it will put a dent in Instagram’s space.
TikTok tends to attract more younger users while Instagram is stronger with the 24-year-olds and up.
Still, Instagram bosses and Mark Zuckerberg will be watching very closely.
The two may be able to live alongside each other harmoniously as the Meta-led Reels now do with TikTok.
Or, it could fall into the forgotten shadows as Threads – Instagram’s take on X/Twitter – has found itself.
The internet is torn about how well the app will do.
Some believe TikTok’s popularity could be a real threat to Instagram, while others think it’ll flop.
“It will flop harder than threads,” one person wrote on X.
“Mark Zuckerberg is quaking,” another commented.
“I speak for everyone when I say we don’t want this,” a third complained.
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