Instagram reportedly considers Reels app as TikTok’s US future hangs in balance

Instagram is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching its short-form video feature, Reels, as a standalone app, as the future of TikTok in the United States remains uncertain.

According to a recent report from The Information, Adam Mosseri, Instagram's head, informed staff about the potential move earlier this week.

The decision comes at a time when TikTok’s presence in the US is under intense scrutiny, with concerns over the app's ties to China and its potential use as a tool for espionage and political manipulation.

The Biden administration has expressed these concerns, with the US government pushing for either a forced sale or ban of the app. In response to these challenges, US President Donald Trump had granted TikTok a 75-day extension in January to comply with a law requiring the company to either sell its US operations or face a ban.

While no official comment has been made by Meta, the parent company of Instagram, the move to separate Reels from the main Instagram app would allow the platform to compete more directly with TikTok, which has captured a significant share of the short-form video market.

TikTok has over 170 million users in the United States alone, and its continued growth has put pressure on competitors like Instagram to step up their game in the short-video space.

Mosseri’s comments to staff highlighted the company’s efforts to position Reels as a leader in the short-video sector, with the potential for a standalone app to attract even more users. Reels has been a feature of Instagram since 2020, allowing users to create and share short videos set to music, similar to the format popularised by TikTok.

This new development echoes Meta's earlier attempts to create a TikTok competitor. In 2018, the company launched an app called Lasso, designed to target TikTok's audience. However, Lasso failed to gain significant traction and was eventually shut down. Meta’s recent push to reconsider Reels as a standalone app signals the company's commitment to tapping into the booming demand for short-form content.

The proposed move comes as TikTok’s future in the US hangs in the balance. If TikTok were to be banned or forced to divest from ByteDance, there would be a significant gap in the market for a popular short-video platform, which Instagram might aim to fill with Reels.

The pressure on TikTok also stems from accusations that the platform could be used by the Chinese government to gather data on US citizens, which has led to ongoing national security concerns.

Despite these challenges, many users and content creators in the US have opposed a ban on TikTok, citing concerns about freedom of speech and the impact on their livelihoods. Some have suggested that a joint venture between the US and ByteDance could allow TikTok to continue operating, but no agreement has been reached.

As the debate over TikTok’s future in the US continues, Instagram’s potential move to launch Reels as a separate app represents a strategic response to a shifting social media landscape. If successful, the new app could further strengthen Meta's position in the ever-competitive short-video space.