Facebook hops onto the bandwagon, starts testing TikTok-like 'Short Videos' feature

Ever since the Indian government decided to ban ByteDance’s TikTok website in the country, several short video sharing platform have risen to popularity – few already existing, others launched later. Now, social media giant Facebook has hopped on to the bandwagon with the launch of a new new ‘Short Videos' feature inside its app in a bid to cash in on the TikTok ban in India and proposed ban in the US.  

As of now, the new feature shows up in the middle of the News Feed and works in the similar swipe-up manner as was popular on TikTok. Social media guru Matt Navarra first tweeted that the social media giant is testing this new ‘Short Videos' feature inside the Facebook app. 

The feature appears to be very similar as TikTok's style of video format including the swipe-up scroll for next video. It will be made available to all users over the next few days. 

The ‘Short Videos' section has a very TikTok-like interface, with likes and comments placed in the bottom right corner. There is a Create option at the top and clicking on it for the first time shows a new Facebook Camera with a description that reads, “Create and share short videos, and explore new ways to express yourself.” 

The feature allows you to add music to clips, pause and record just like how TikTok allowed it, and share it in-app. Once posted, this video then shows up in the ‘Short Videos' section on Facebook. 

This is the tech giant’s first attempt to fill the void. Earlier, it had added Reels to its photo sharing platform Instagram. The feature has already become popular among users and is being used by several content creators.  

Apart from this, several homegrown platforms like Mitron TV and Chingari App are also battling for the same spot.