Instagram, a subsidiary of Meta Platforms, is reportedly in the process of developing a text-based app to directly challenge Twitter’s dominance in the social media space. According to insiders familiar with the matter, the company is currently conducting tests with notable celebrities and influencers. Surprisingly, the app has been discreetly available to a select group of creators for several months, indicating that Instagram has been working on this project behind closed doors.
The forthcoming app is expected to operate as a standalone platform, separate from Instagram. However, it will allow users to link their accounts, facilitating a seamless transition between the two services. While an official release date has not been confirmed, social media expert Lia Haberman, who teaches social and influencer marketing at UCLA, shared insights that suggest the app could make its debut as early as June. Haberman also provided a screenshot of an early app description, which hinted at potential compatibility with other Twitter competitor apps, including Mastodon.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this development. However, the recent tumultuous events surrounding Twitter, notably Elon Musk’s controversial involvement, have spurred some users to explore alternative platforms, creating an opportune moment for Instagram to seize market share.
Haberman pointed out that Meta Platforms have a history of incorporating features from other platforms and third-party tools that they believe will resonate with their user base. In line with this trend, Instagram’s text-based app aims to offer a diverse range of features beyond traditional informational posts. Musk himself has expressed interest in transforming Twitter into an “everything app” by incorporating various functionalities. Given Meta’s track record of borrowing ideas from other platforms, industry experts speculate that Instagram may be the first to consolidate these different experiences into a cohesive offering.
As Instagram intensifies its efforts to diversify its offerings and competes directly with Twitter, the launch of this new app is expected to create a more dynamic and competitive landscape in the social media industry. Users eagerly await further updates and the official unveiling of Instagram’s text-based app.
