Instagram and X Launch New Video Tools as TikTok Faces Ban

Instagram and Elon Musk’s platform, X, are rolling out new video tools just as TikTok faced a temporary ban in the U.S. Instagram unveiled a new video editing app called Edits, while X introduced a dedicated video tab for its mobile app users.

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The Edits app, expected to launch in February, will offer a variety of tools to help users create videos. According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the app will let people save video drafts, edit clips, and use features like green screens, overlays, and transitions. A Meta spokesperson confirmed these details, emphasizing its user-friendly capabilities.

Instagram announced this app just hours after TikTok went offline in the U.S. due to a federal ban. The new national security law also affected other apps owned by ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, including the video-editing app CapCut. TikTok resumed service shortly after President-elect Donald Trump paused enforcement of the ban. However, the law still requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations, leaving its future uncertain. Trump has proposed a joint venture where new U.S.-based owners would acquire 50% of TikTok.

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Meanwhile, Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, is branching out into more types of online content. The platform announced it’s launching an “immersive new home for videos” to U.S. users starting Sunday. X’s video features aim to include everything from live streaming to video podcasts and long-form interviews.

Instagram could gain a significant edge during TikTok’s struggles, especially since its short-form video feature, Reels, is already popular in the U.S. and markets like India. The launch of the Edits app may attract creators looking for better tools and a stable platform to share their content.

Seizing the moment, Instagram also ran ads in Apple’s App Store when TikTok was temporarily unavailable. Users searching for “TikTok” saw Instagram’s promotion instead, showcasing how the platform is positioning itself as a strong alternative during TikTok’s uncertain times.

Also Read: TikTok Shuts Down in the US as Legal Ban Takes Effect