Instagram Reels rolls out new features for U.S. users as TikTok is banned

Along with that news, Instagram announced a timely update to its video feature Reel this morning The Supreme Court upheld the law which will ban TikTok in the US on January 19. Meta says the update will make it easier for users to find content that friends and followers are liking on the platform and encourage users to start conversations about Reel content.

In the wake of the US ban, the company is poised to capture several TikTok users, especially creators who rely on social media for revenue. Although a large group of TikTokers have already fled to Chinese app RedNote in protest of the ban, it will be more difficult for creators to monetize their following on an app used by Chinese netizens, not US businesses and brands.

Meta, seeking the attention of TikTok users on Friday, announced that it is adding a feature that appears in the top-right corner of the Reels tab, making it easier to see content that friends and followers have liked or commented on. It appears as a small banner with the profile picture of those engaging with the content and a little heart icon or conversation bubble, to indicate what kind of interaction they’ve had.

In addition, the company said it will introduce a new “reply bar” below a reel that allows users to easily respond to content their friends like. For example, the bar might prompt you to respond to a friend’s “like” as their profile picture and heart float across the screen.

Meta said the feature is being rolled out in the US.