Instagram is considering plans to launch a standalone app for its short-form reel video content. This information has been received from a report. With this alleged launch, the social media platform is expected to introduce itself in the short-form video app space. At present, it is largely dominated by ByteDance-owned video-hosting service TikTok. It recently made headlines for its proposed ban.
Instagram's Reels App Launch
According to a report by The Information, Instagram head Adam Mosseri told the company's staff about a project related to a potential app for reels. According to the information received, it is codenamed Project Ray and along with Instagram Reels, it can also show three-minute videos. There is talk that the standalone app will offer a vertically similar scrolling experience to TikTok.
According to the report, with its app, the Meta-owned social media platform wants to improve recommendations for new users and existing users in the US.
However, Instagram has not yet accepted these plans. This development has come at a time when TikTok is under intense scrutiny over US regulations, due to which it was initially banned in the US. However, this decision was later reversed. But, it was only given an extension to operate on US soil for 75 days, which ends on April 5.
Meanwhile, its parent company is now said to be in talks with the new Donald Trump administration, which will give a US-based company a chance to earn a large share. This will enable the app to maintain its availability in the country.
The edits app came last month.
If this plan is successful, it will be Instagram's second app launch in 2025. Earlier, the company introduced the Edits app last month. The Edits app helps creators edit videos with more creativity and precision than Instagram's built-in tools. Currently, it is available only on iOS. It is a mobile video editing app with creative tools. The app offers features like high-quality video capture, a dedicated tab for drafts and videos, camera settings to adjust resolution, frame rate, and dynamic range.
