Elain Brown Tech 03.25.2022 06:Mar AM EDT

TikTok-like Video Feature Coming to Reddit — Will It Work?

Reddit is adding TikTok-like videos to its platform.

Reddit Transitioning to Videos

Reddit is reported to be adding a new TikTok-like video feature. According to a company spokesperson, Reddit is looking into the possibility of incorporating more user-generated video content into its online discussion forums.

However, the video feature in the platform is still in its early stage. There is not much information available about this potential new video feature. It has not been revealed how the videos will play out since Reddit revolves around storytelling through writing.

As reported by TechCrunch, a Reddit representative stated, "In line with our work to help people engage in the topics that matter to them through social audio, video, text, memes, and more, we're in the process of reaching out to a few Reddit communities to see if a new video feature we're working on is something they find useful and fun."

In addition, the Reddit representative noted, "After getting feedback from Redditors, we'll explore an initial test for this new capability."

It is not necessarily the goal of Reddit to develop a TikTok competitor aimed at creators, as other large social media companies have done, but rather to develop a video tool that would continue Reddit's mission of enabling its users to participate in discussions on topics that are important to them.

With the success of TikTok's videos and features such as Stitches and Duets, video content has been proven effective to social interaction in online platforms.

This can also be seen adapted by rival social media apps such as Instagram's Reels and Snapchat's Spotlight. The ability to combine videos from different people has become increasingly popular across social media platforms.

Reddit TikTok-like Video Features

Reddit tested a TikTok-like video feed on its iOS app last summer, which, when activated, displayed a stream of short videos in a vertical feed.

Upvotes, downvotes, comments, awarding, and sharing the video from this feed were all options for users, who could then swipe up to see even more content.

According to Engadget, following the acquisition of TikTok competitor Dubsmash by Reddit in December 2020, the social media platform expressed an interest in expanding further into video.

Reddit decided to shut down Dubsmash last year, but has integrated the startup's video creation tools into its own app.

Steve Moser, an iOS developer, was the first to notice the possibility of a "reactions" feature in the upcoming video project.

Furthermore, it is also rumored that video editing tools will be included, such as those for adding effects, filters, and stickers. In addition, videos that are accompanied by music could also be included in the testing process.

Reddit's camera app received some of this functionality when it was updated in November as part of the company's ongoing video efforts.

During the update in November 2021, Reddit announced that it would introduce new camera features, including the ability to set a timer and change recording speeds, as well as the ability to use effects, add voiceovers, trim and adjust multiple clips.

For the time being, Reddit users can access these video features through the "new post" tool, then selecting the video option and then clicking on the camera icon in the toolbar to record a video.

Reddit stated that it would tap the cooperation of subreddit communities and it will be looking for communities where it thinks the video feature would be a good fit.