Meta Explores New Short-Video App

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, is reportedly considering launching a standalone app for short videos, currently available through Instagram.

According to The Information, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, has been discussing a new project internally.

The initiative, codenamed Project Ray, aims to improve video recommendations for both new and existing users in the US and allow for longer videos exceeding three minutes.

In January, Meta introduced a video-editing app called Edits, designed to compete with CapCut, a popular tool from ByteDance, the Chinese company behind TikTok.

The tech giant is looking to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s future in the US, where lawmakers are considering a ban unless the platform is sold to American owners.

Currently, Instagram combines photos, Reels, and Stories, but many users feel overwhelmed by the abundance of video content.

A separate app for short-form videos could streamline Instagram’s core experience and highlight its original purpose as a photo-sharing platform.

Earlier this year, Instagram began paying creators to promote its features on competing platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube.

Reports also suggest that the company has been offering significant financial incentives for creators to post exclusively on Reels.

By launching a dedicated short-video app, Meta could reshape its approach to content sharing and better compete in the evolving social media landscape.