Instagram, X, and Bluesky Roll Out New Video Features Amid TikTok’s Temporary Ban in the U.S

Instagram, Bluesky, and X introduced new video features this weekend amid TikTok’s temporary ban in the United States. Instagram announced a video-editing tool called Edits, while Bluesky and X launched updates to enhance video content in their feeds.

Instagram launched a video-editing app, “Edits,” similar to CapCut—ByteDance’s popular platform linked to TikTok—this Sunday, while TikTok and CapCut had been shot down.

On Sunday, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram and Threads, shared a post on Instagram explaining how the new app works.

“Today we’re announcing a new app called “Edits” for those of you who are passionate about making videos on your phone,” he wrote. “There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators.”

On the same day, Bluesky launched a new video custom feature for users to swipe video content on mobiles.

“We had to get in on the video action too — Bluesky now has custom feeds for video!,” wrote Bluesky on its platform. “Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.”

We had to get in on the video action too — Bluesky now has custom feeds for video!

Like any other feed, you can choose to pin these or not. Bluesky is yours to customize.

[image or embed]

— Bluesky (@bsky.app) January 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM

And X—also on Sunday—announced it’s rolling out a new video tab for users in the United States, similar to Bluesky’s update.

you better not be making a dedicated video tab when I get home

me: pic.twitter.com/ZbmLBmSbDp

— X (@X) January 20, 2025

The social media companies have been updating their platforms and attracting more users as TikTok faces uncertainty regarding its future in the U.S.

A few days ago, Bluesky also announced it is working on a photo-sharing app called Flased, similar to Instagram—after Meta announced the end of its fact-checking program and multiple users decided to delete their accounts.