Instagram Introduces TikTok-Inspired Features Amid Rival’s Uncertainty

Instagram is unveiling a series of updates seemingly designed to draw in TikTok users as uncertainty looms over the future of the popular short-video app. The changes, announced by Instagram and parent company Meta over the weekend, include new features that closely resemble TikTok’s format and tools.

On Sunday, Meta introduced a video creation app called Edits, similar to ByteDance’s CapCut, which many TikTok creators use for video editing. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, also announced modifications to the platform, such as shifting Instagram’s iconic square profile photo grids to rectangular layouts – mirroring TikTok’s profile design.

In another update, Mosseri revealed on Saturday that Instagram Reels will now allow videos up to three minutes long, a significant extension from the previous 90-second limit. The move follows TikTok’s decision in 2023 to promote longer videos, providing creators with more flexibility to share extended content.

“We’ve historically limited Reels to short-form videos, but we’ve heard feedback that creators want to tell longer stories,” Mosseri shared in an Instagram post.

The timing of these updates appears strategic, as TikTok temporarily shut down access for U.S. users over the weekend due to legal uncertainties. The shutdown followed the implementation of a law aimed at banning TikTok in the United States, creating a potential opportunity for Instagram to capture displaced users.

However, TikTok’s downtime was brief. On Sunday, former President Donald Trump pledged to issue an executive order to restore access, and the app resumed service shortly after. While Instagram’s new Edits app is now available for download, it won’t be fully functional until February, missing the chance to capitalize on TikTok’s brief disruption.

Instagram’s relationship with TikTok has been marked by intense competition. Since TikTok’s rise to prominence in 2020, Instagram has consistently adapted its platform to retain users’ attention, launching features like Reels shortly after TikTok faced its first ban attempt.

Despite Instagram’s updates, TikTok alternatives, including the China-owned app RedNote, saw a surge in downloads during TikTok’s downtime, while Instagram experienced only a slight increase. These trends highlight the growing number of competitors vying for users in the short-video space.

Instagram has not commented on the recent updates or its strategy to compete in a rapidly evolving social media landscape. For now, the platform’s efforts suggest a clear focus on providing creators with tools to produce and share content, regardless of the industry’s shifting dynamics.