X (previously known as Twitter) has revealed a new feature for its users. It has launched a specific vertical video feed, akin to Instagram’s Reels or YouTube’s Shorts feeds. Another social media platform, Bluesky, which was established by Jack Dorsey—who happened to be one of Twitter’s original members—also announced a comparable vertical video feed feature. These announcements are thought to be a reaction to TikTok’s precarious situation in the US. Importantly, X, owned by Elon Musk, recently confirmed plans to introduce X TV and X Money services in 2025.
X and Bluesky Introduce Dedicated, Immersive Video Feed
In a post on its platform, X shared that a new vertical video feed is presently available to users in the US. The company asserts it will be “an immersive new home for videos. ” Users can access the feed through a play button located at the bottom of the screen. The company did not verify whether this feature will be accessible to users outside of the US.
In contrast, Bluesky disclosed that it is getting “in on the video action too” and that a customizable video feed is available for all users. Similar to other Bluesky feeds, users “can choose to pin these or not. ” The company clarified that users will have the ability to swipe up to view a timeline of “only video posts. ” It is accessible to all users on the mobile application, as stated by the company.
The wave of dedicated vertical video feed integrations among rival apps is speculated to be connected to the disruption caused by the temporary TikTok ban in the US. The Bytedance-owned app ceased functioning for US users late on Saturday, but the ban was lifted the following day.
The debate surrounding the ban in the country continued for months. The uncertainty regarding the popular short-video-sharing app’s future in the country led many users and competing developers to seek alternatives. According to a recent report, Perplexity AI, a US search engine startup, submitted a proposal to ByteDance on Saturday for the company to merge with TikTok US.
