Meta's decentralized app is almost ready for release.
Digital media marketing expert Lia Haberman recently revealed some details about Meta's rumored decentralized app that could rival Twitter, such as when it would launch for public use.
A Meta spokesperson previously mentioned in March that the company is reportedly exploring a decentralized social network that could serve as a Twitter alternative.
Meta Twitter Alternative App Details
Based on a (somewhat blurry) example I got, Meta's new app looks a lot like Twitter.
So, could this take over all the Twitter screenshots we've been seeing on the Feed lately? Maybe.
It’s impossible to predict how audiences will respond but this could be an alternative. pic.twitter.com/xgQa1kUjCl— Lia Haberman (@liahaberman) May 19, 2023
Meta's upcoming decentralized app, codenamed P92, could be launching much sooner than expected. Haberman's tweets mentioned that Meta had started briefing creators on P92, which could launch in late June.
The digital media marketing expert mentioned that P92 is built on the back of Instagram but will be compatible with some other apps like Mastodon, possibly confirming that it would let Instagram users register and log in using their accounts. Additionally, it would also be compatible with other apps like Mastodon, which could be a sign that P92 does support ActivityPub, the same decentralized social networking protocol powering Mastodon.
Haberman said that P92 would have a centralized feed showcasing a user's followers and recommended content, much like Instagram, and that users could look forward to posting five-minute videos, images, and text updates of up to 500 characters.
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For context, Instagram currently has a caption limit of 2,200 characters, while Twitter offers a character limit of up to 10,000 characters with a Twitter Blue subscription, according to Sociality and Engadget.
P92 would have creator controls and account safety features; though Haberman didn't mention what they are, she did say that blocked Instagram accounts will be blocked on P92 and that words hidden on Instagram are hidden on P92 too.
Last but not least is the app's appearance: P92 somehow looks a lot like Twitter, which could create an overlap between it and its competitor - something that Meta could be counting on. The familiar sight could provide former Twitter users a sense of familiarity that would help them adjust to P92 after jumping from the Twitter ship.
Although Haberman didn't mention P92's official name, Meta would probably reveal it anytime soon before late June if everything goes smoothly.
A recent Engadget report mentioned that P92 users could attach links aside from photos and videos - a shorter duration than Twitter's current offering of two hours.
Why Are People Leaving Twitter?
People have been leaving Twitter in droves for various reasons since Elon Musk's takeover of the company in late 2022. A report from The Guardian citing Insider Intelligence principal analyst Jasmine Enberg, said that more than 30 million users would leave the website over the next two years due to technical issues and the proliferation of offensive content.
This user exodus is a prime opportunity for Twitter's competitors, would-be or otherwise, to capitalize on the situation by offering alternatives of their own, though it could be a huge risk for those looking to cut costs.
Related Article: Meta Is Developing a Decentralized Social App To Rival Twitter
