As TikTok is facing regulatory challenges in the United States, X (formerly Twitter) has introduced a dedicated video tab for its US-based users. This development came as TikTok briefly suspended its services following a Supreme Court decision that upheld restrictions on the platform over its concerns about Chinese ownership.
Today, X announced a new video tab on X, which represents a significant shift in the platform's content strategy, allowing users to access video content exclusively and separate from text-based posts.
you better not be making a dedicated video tab when I get home
— X (@X) January 20, 2025
me: pic.twitter.com/ZbmLBmSbDp
This feature mirrors similar implementations seen on other major social platforms, such as Instagram's Reels tab and YouTube Shorts, highlighting X's push to strengthen its position in the short-form video market.
X's evolution in video content began before Elon Musk's acquisition, with the introduction of an "immersive media viewer" in 2022 that enabled full-screen video expansion. Following Musk's takeover, the platform enhanced its video capabilities by allowing premium subscribers to upload videos up to two hours in length.
Additionally, Musk has expressed interest in reviving Vine, the defunct 6-second video platform that Twitter shuttered in 2017.
TikTok's brief service interruption lasted less than a day, with the platform resuming operations after President-elect Donald Trump indicated his intention to pause the ban through an executive order.
The company, which serves over 170 million Americans and supports approximately 7 million small businesses, expressed gratitude for the temporary resolution while committing to work with the administration on a long-term solution.
STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:
— TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025
In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170…
"We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive," TikTok said in a statement. "It's a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States."
Meanwhile, other social media platforms are also positioning themselves to capture TikTok's market share. Instagram has launched a new video editing app called Edits, aimed at attracting users from ByteDance's CapCut, which is currently restricted in the US.
These developments underscore the intensifying competition in the social media landscape as platforms vie for user engagement in the short-form video space.