In a dynamic shift within the social media landscape, platforms like X and Bluesky are betting big on the growing trend of vertical video content, rolling out new features to capitalize on the rising demand for quick, engaging video consumption. While TikTok remains a dominant player in the space, recent moves by X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky highlight the fierce competition that the popular app now faces especially with the unpredictable political environment in the United States.
Just days after Donald Trump’s unbanning of TikTok in the U.S., which temporarily eased tensions surrounding the platform’s future, rivals are making their mark. The former president signed an executive order that delayed the TikTok ban by 75 days, allowing the ByteDance-owned platform to continue its U.S. operations. However, rather than resting on their laurels, competitors have swiftly pivoted to replicate the TikTok model, introducing dedicated vertical video scrolling feeds to capture users’ attention.
X, led by Elon Musk, is no stranger to revamping its features. The platform has become more aggressive in its efforts to regain user engagement, incorporating a TikTok-style video feed that allows users to scroll through a variety of short-form videos in a seamless vertical format. This new feature is designed to boost user interaction, tapping into the growing preference for bite-sized entertainment that allows for effortless consumption.
Bluesky, the decentralized social media platform, has also joined the fray. Known for its open-source approach, Bluesky has added a vertical video feed to its platform, giving users the ability to upload and view short-form content in a similar fashion to TikTok. The platform’s focus on community-driven features makes it an intriguing alternative for those who prefer a more private, decentralized version of the video-sharing experience.
Both platforms are aiming to seize a moment when TikTok faces ongoing scrutiny. By introducing features that closely resemble TikTok’s highly successful model, X and Bluesky are positioning themselves as credible alternatives in the battle for dominance in the vertical video space. With TikTok’s uncertain future in the U.S., the competition has never been fiercer, and these new features could potentially reshape the way users engage with social media content in the months to come.
