X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has rolled out a new feature for its users: a dedicated vertical video feed. This feature mirrors offerings from Instagram’s Reels and YouTube’s Shorts. Coincidentally, Bluesky, a social media platform founded by Jack Dorsey, a co-founder of Twitter, has also announced a similar vertical video feed. Observers believe these updates may be a strategic reaction to the uncertain status of TikTok in the United States. Notably, X, which is under the ownership of Elon Musk, has also confirmed plans to launch X TV and X Money services in 2025.
X and Bluesky Introduce New Video Features
In a post on its site, X announced that its new vertical video feed is now accessible to users in the United States. According to the company, this feed is described as “an immersive new home for videos,” and can be activated via a play button located at the bottom of the screen. It remains unclear whether this feature will be made available to users outside of the US.
Similarly, Bluesky has announced that it is joining the vertical video trend, with a customizable video feed now accessible to its users. Like other feeds on Bluesky, users have the option to pin videos, along with the ability to swipe up to view a timeline dedicated solely to video posts. This feature has been made available to all mobile app users.
The simultaneous launch of vertical video feeds by these competing platforms is thought to be connected to the brief disruption caused by the proposed TikTok ban in the US. The Bytedance-owned app faced an operational halt for US users over the weekend, although the ban was lifted shortly thereafter.
The controversy over the potential ban had persisted for several months, creating a climate of uncertainty regarding the future of TikTok in the US. This turmoil prompted many users and developers from rival platforms to seek alternatives. In a recent development, Perplexity AI, a US-based search engine startup, reportedly offered a bid to ByteDance on Saturday to merge with TikTok US.
