In a dramatic turn of events in the social media landscape, X has introduced a new feature — a dedicated video feed with a vertical, swipeable interface akin to TikTok. This comes in the wake of TikTok's temporary shutdown and subsequent reinstatement, a saga intertwined with President Donald J. Trump's intervention. The move by X signals an effort to capture a slice of TikTok's market dominance by offering a similar experience within its platform.
X Unveils New Video Feed Similar to TikTok
Last week, Elon Musk's name was once again in the headlines. Reports surfaced that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, had considered Musk as a potential buyer for TikTok's U.S. operations during its turbulent times. Now, Musk's platform, X, is making waves by unveiling its new "Video Feed" tab.
According to Engadget, the Video tab simplifies how users engage with video content on X. Unlike the traditional approach of searching for or clicking on posts, the tab allows for seamless browsing by swiping vertically through clips. This user-friendly design marks a significant shift in how video content is consumed on the platform.
Additionally, the feature is universally available to all users. This is a departure from X's usual practice of initially restricting new features to Premium-tier subscribers before rolling them out widely.
Here's How to Access X's Video Feed on the App
Accessing X's new Video tab is straightforward. Users can find the tab in the bottom navigation bar, located next to the xAI's Grok button, which links to X's chatbot. For those who do not yet see the Video tab, it is likely due to the gradual rollout process. Keeping the app updated to the latest version is recommended to ensure access as soon as the feature becomes available.
TikTok's Absence Was Short, But Competitors Rushed In
The brief shutdown of TikTok last weekend left 170 million Americans without access to the popular platform for over half a day. This followed the enforcement of legal measures, only for the situation to be swiftly resolved within 14 hours, thanks to intervention by then-President Trump, allowing TikTok to resume operations before his inauguration.
During TikTok's brief absence, several platforms seized the opportunity to fill the void. Among these was China's Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, which experienced a surge in popularity and was quickly dubbed a potential successor to TikTok. Meanwhile, established platforms like X introduced new features to attract users seeking alternatives.
While TikTok's hiatus was brief, the episode highlighted the intense competition among social media platforms to capture user attention. X's new Video feed, a clear nod to TikTok's signature interface, underscores the platform's ambition to solidify its position in the evolving social media landscape.
