Tech Desk 
Feb 27, 2025
In a surprising development, Instagram is considering launching its Reels feature as a standalone app.
This move comes as TikTok's future in the United States has been uncertain due to concerns over its ties to China and potential use for political manipulation.
According to a report from The Information, Instagram Head Adam Mosseri informed about the potential Reels app earlier this week.
It's believed that a standalone app for Instagram Reels would attract even more users, especially at a time when TikTok's presence in the US is restricted or banned.
In ligth of that, a separate app would allow Instagram to compete more directly with TikTok, which has over 170 million users in the US and has put pressure on competitors to step up their game in the short-video format.
It should be noted that this is not the first time Meta is attempting to create a TikTok competitor. Earlier, in 2018, the Facebook parent company launched an app called Lasso, designed to target TikTok's audience. However, the app failed to gain wider attention and was, therefore, eventually shut down.
Meta's recent push to reconsider Reels as a standalone app has highlighted the company's commitment to tapping into the demanding short-format content market.
Apart from its increased competition with TikTok, the dedicated app could provide a more focused and streamlined experience for users who use Instagram solely for Reels.
