In an ever-evolving landscape of social media, TikTok has announced a new text-only feature, putting it in direct competition with Elon Musk’s X and Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads. The move comes as part of a broader trend among tech giants to become “everything apps,” aiming to expand their boundaries of content creation.
TikTok Embraces Text-Only Feature
TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video streaming app, is venturing into new territory by introducing a text-only feature. This move puts TikTok in direct competition with Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter Inc.) and Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads. By providing a text-only option, TikTok is stepping into the realm of Twitter, adopting a meta approach to business just like Facebook’s parent company, Meta Platforms.
Elon Musk’s Ambitious Vision for X (Twitter)
Elon Musk recently revealed that he is not merely rebranding Twitter but transforming the company entirely. He stated that X, the new name for Twitter, will evolve into an “everything app.” The decision to rebrand stems from the realization that the name “Twitter” is limiting, given the company’s aspirations to offer comprehensive communication options and the ability to handle users’ financial affairs.
Threads Faces Challenges in the Battle
Meanwhile, Meta Platform’s-owned Instagram is also dipping into Twitter’s territory with its Threads app. However, Threads has encountered difficulties, witnessing a significant drop in user numbers after a promising start. It seems that companies striving to become “everything apps” are encountering challenges, and the competition is becoming increasingly political.
Social Media Companies’ Quest for Diversification
In an era of rapidly changing social media landscapes, companies are keen on diversifying their offerings beyond their core strengths. For instance, TikTok recently launched a music streaming service to compete with established platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. This move comes as TikTok has become the second-most used app for music discovery among users aged 16 to 19.
TikTok’s Foray into E-commerce
Not stopping at music streaming, TikTok is set to launch an e-commerce side of its business. Targeting its biggest market, the U.S., TikTok will offer a platform for selling goods made in China. The company aims to establish an “Amazon-like marketplace” to capitalise on its vast user base and further expand its reach.
The Dizzying Pace of Change
The rapidly evolving social media landscape is causing some to question whether these companies are stretching themselves too thin. As more companies strive to become “Jack of all trades,” they run the risk of being “masters of none.” Some, like YouTube, have learned from past experiences that not all users are receptive to having everything on one platform.
A Shifting Social Media Landscape
Social media giants are undergoing significant transformations as they expand into various niches to attract users and solidify their presence in the market. While TikTok’s text-only feature brings it into direct competition with X and Threads, the broader trend of becoming “everything apps” is reshaping the industry. As the competition intensifies, these companies must strike a balance between diversification and maintaining user satisfaction to remain relevant in the ever-changing world of social media
