X is introducing a new dedicated vertical video feed for its US users in an attempt to capture attention in the social media space. This move comes on the heels of TikTok’s temporary ban in the US, where X and other social media companies are positioning themselves to fill the gap left by TikTok.
Taking a page from TikTok
X has never exactly been viewed as a video-sharing platform before. The company tried its luck in 2012 by buying Vine, but it later shut it down in 2016. Users have long uploaded videos to the platform, but many never viewed it in the same light as TikTok or Instagram.
This is something X is hoping to do with its latest update. The company has announced that it is introducing a dedicated video tab with vertical videos. This will allow users to browse videos on its platform in full-screen mode and scroll through them like TikTok and Instagram. This change gives the app a dedicated tab for videos, but otherwise, nothing has changed.
At the moment, the vertical video section on X is only available to users in the US. This is likely due to TikTok’s temporary ban, where this feature could give users an alternative platform.
Facing stiff competition
That being said, X has a long way to go if it’s hoping to be the new TikTok. While TikTok is/was the dominant social media platform for short-form videos, other worthy alternatives do exist. These alternatives include Instagram’s Reels, which has been hot on TikTok’s heels for the longest time.
The platform has quickly caught up to TikTok features and introduced its own unique functionalities. Then there are also YouTube Shorts. It might not be on par with TikTok or Instagram, but YouTube already has an established user base that associates it with videos. Jumping from long-form content to short-form content within the app is easy and straightforward.
TikTok is currently enjoying a respite, but it’s hard to say what the future holds for the company. The intervention by US President Donald Trump isn’t meant to be a long-term solution. It only extends the time before the law’s prohibitions kick in. This means that TikTok could still face a ban in the US after all of this. Maybe X’s new video section could be worth checking out for those seeking an alternative and maybe more “stable” social media platform.
