Instagram to Offer TikTok-Like Experience with Upcoming New Feature

In a bid to attract TikTok users, Instagram has introduced several updates amid the ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future. On January 20, Meta—Instagram's parent company—unveiled a new video creation app called Edits, which appears similar to CapCut, the popular editing tool from TikTok's parent company ByteDance.

Profile Grid Change

The other change made public by the company is with profile photos, head Adam Mosseri announcing they will appear no longer square as they traditionally are but will look rectangular just like TikTok and will feature inside the profile grid.

Reels will also have a longer feature.

The other significant advancement is the elongation of the maximum length of videos in Reels, from 90 seconds to 3 minutes. According to Mosseri, it is an outgrowth of users' feedback, since most creators wanted to share longer content. By allowing the three-minute Reels, Instagram is closing the gap between itself and TikTok, a site known for its longer, more entertaining video content.

Edits App

The company also announced Edits, a standalone video editing app set to release in February. Similar to CapCut, Edits will be an easy-to-use platform for creators to create and edit content for social media, which might make the transition for TikTok creators who are used to the interface of CapCut.

The future of TikTok is uncertain.

Recent bans in the United States have cast a shadow over TikTok's future, and mixed signals are emerging about whether the popular short-video platform will return to full operation. If TikTok remains restricted, Instagram will benefit from a surge in user migration. But if TikTok returns in force, Instagram may face tougher competition.