TikTok's latest feature, allowing users to post written content, is likely a strategic move to expand its platform beyond video sharing and compete with Twitter Inc's text-focused format.
By offering text-based posts, TikTok aims to provide its users with more creative opportunities and increase engagement on the platform.
The new text-based posts on TikTok resemble Meta Platforms Inc
Meta's Threads, an Instagram offshoot, was the first to threaten Twitter's text-based app dominance.
Threads gained traction upon its launch, but its daily active users declined significantly after its peak, leaving room for other platforms like TikTok.
TikTok's move comes amid Twitter's challenges since being acquired by billionaire Elon Musk. Changes made by Musk to the Twitter platform have faced flak from users, and the social media platform has dealt with issues like outages and layoffs.
TikTok's introduction of text-based posts could intensify user attention and engagement competition.
TikTok's user base has grown significantly, with 150 million Americans using the platform in late March, making it a significant player in social media.
However, TikTok battled concerns about data security and privacy due to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. Some states in the U.S. have banned its use on government devices.
On the other hand, under Elon Musk's vision, Twitter is undergoing significant changes, including a shift to an all-in-one "everything app" concept.
