Instagram wants to become Twitter; considers adding textual posts

After Snapchat, TikTok, and even the “anti-Instagram” app BeReal, Instagram now reportedly wants to become Twitter.  According to several reports, what used to be photo sharing app (ah, the good times) will add microblogging to its platform. Other than Reels, ads, Reels, ads, ads, Stories, ads, and occasional photos, users might soon be able to share textual “notes” with all their followers.

Following the chaotic and controversial Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, Meta employees reportedly met last month to plan out the development of its copy successor. According to The New York Times, the company is considering rolling out “Notes” on Instagram. The Times obtained posts of conversations between Meta employees, where they reportedly discussed the upcoming feature. They suggested potential names like “Realtime,” “Real Reels,” “Instant,” but whatever it gets called – it will have the same concept as Twitter.

Meta staff met to discuss building a Twitter rival! 😯

Ideas included
– Rollout of Instagram's new 'Notes' feature
– Building a text-focused app using Instagram’s tech
– Adding a new Twitter-like feed to Instagram

Names for the features included: Realtime, Real Reels, Instant

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) December 7, 2022

What’s more Meta staff reportedly even discussed building an entirely new app as a Twitter replacement. “Twitter is in crisis and Meta needs its mojo back,” a Meta employee wrote to their colleagues and the Times reported. “Let’s go for the bread and butter.”

If you’re on Twitter, then you know it has become a complete mess, especially since Musk took over. Many users started fleeing to other sites searching for a replacement. Bot Sentinel estimates that “more than 875,000 users deactivated their accounts between October 27 and November 1, while half a million more were suspended,” as MIT Technology Review reports. I’m not surprised Meta has seen an opportunity to attract more people and put more money in its pockets. Now, I can only imagine how chaotic it will become when it adds “tweets” to everything it already offers… But hey, it’s already a copy of every social media platform – what’s one more?

[via PetaPixel]