Instagram is contemplating the introduction of a new app dedicated to its short-form video feature, Reels, as revealed by its chief, Adam Mosseri, to the company’s staff this week. The Information reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter. The Meta-owned social media giant is strategically looking to capitalize on the uncertain status of TikTok in the United States by offering a video-scrolling experience akin to the popular platform, as per the report. Meta has not provided an immediate response to Reuters’ request for comment.
In a bid to further bolster its presence in the video-editing space, Meta announced the launch of a new video-editing app named Edits in January. This move appears to be aimed at capturing a portion of CapCut’s user base, a video-editing app owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. It is worth noting that Meta had previously experimented with a standalone video-sharing app called Lasso back in 2018, with the intention of rivaling TikTok. However, Lasso failed to gain significant traction, leading Meta to eventually discontinue the app.
The initiative to introduce a separate Reels app and the launch of Edits suggest Meta’s strategic focus on enhancing its video-related offerings and strengthening its competitive position in the market. The company’s efforts reflect a proactive approach to adapting to evolving user preferences and market dynamics, particularly in the fast-paced realm of short-form video content. Kritika Lamba reports from Bengaluru, with editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi.
