X, the platform previously known as Twitter, has rolled out a new feature aimed at enhancing user experience. The platform has introduced a specialized vertical video feed, drawing comparisons to Instagram’s Reels and YouTube’s Shorts. Similarly, Bluesky, a social media platform founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has also launched a comparable vertical video feed feature. Observers suggest these developments may be influenced by the fluctuating status of TikTok’s operations in the United States. Moreover, X, under the ownership of Elon Musk, has announced plans to launch X TV and X Money services in 2025.
X and Bluesky Introduce New Video Feeds
In a recent post, X revealed that its new vertical video feed is now accessible to users in the United States, describing it as “an immersive new home for videos.” The feature can be reached via a play button located at the bottom of the screen, though it remains unclear whether this feature will be extended to users outside the US.
On its part, Bluesky announced that it too is entering the video-sharing arena with a customizable video feed available to all users. As with other feeds on the platform, users will have the option to pin these videos. The company indicated that users can swipe up to access a dedicated timeline featuring “only video posts,” with this functionality available on its mobile app.
The emergence of dedicated vertical video feeds across these competing platforms is viewed by some analysts as a reaction to the temporary disruption caused by a potential TikTok ban in the US. The app, owned by ByteDance, faced a brief outage for American users on Saturday, which was promptly resolved the following day.
Debate surrounding the proposed ban extended over several months, creating a climate of uncertainty for TikTok among its user base and prompting developers to seek alternatives. A recent report noted that Perplexity AI, a search engine startup based in the US, made an offer to ByteDance for a merger with TikTok’s US operations, highlighting the ongoing turmoil surrounding the platform.
