Reddit iOS app is getting an upgrade, and its latest feature is similar to that of TikTok.
Most social media platforms are now looking toward TikTok for inspiration, from Instagram's Reels to Snapchat's Spotlight.
The latest social media app to join the bandwagon is Reddit. The discussion-based forum announced it is making short-form videos available on its iOS app.
Reddit's TikTok-Style Update
According to Reddit, some iOS users will see a video button on their app located directly to the right of the search bar. When the video button is tapped, it will show a stream of videos similar to what a TikTok feed looks like, according to The Verge.
When shown a video, the poster's name and the subreddit where the video is from will pop up. Users can also upvote or downvote the video. They can also comment, share, and gift an award.
Also Read; : Reddit Mobile Apps Finally Available: Download It Now On Android Or iOS And Get Free Reddit Gold
To view videos, users would need to swipe up, just like how TikTok's feed works. You will also see content from subreddits that you are subscribed to, and you will see content from related subreddits.
For example, if you are following the printmaking subreddit, you will see content from pottery and bookbinding subreddits.
The user interface of the videos is not new because Reddit has been experimenting with the format since 2020. However, this type of feature was only accessible by tapping on a video while scrolling through the feed in the past.
The older version of the video feed does not show other subreddits. The first several videos shown are from the subreddits you follow.
A Reddit spokesperson said that the company's mission is to bring the community and people together. The mission of the site's video team is to allow people with similar interests to connect, according to Gizmodo.
In 2020, the company's goal was to create a unified video player. They want the player's interface to match what their users expect when it comes to a video player in an app, especially when viewing, commenting, engaging and seeing the new content.
Earlier this year, rumors started ciruclating that Reddit is also making some changes to mimick the features of Clubhouse.
The company does not have a specific timeline yet for when the feature will be available for all users. Still, they did confirm that they silently rolled it out for some users in July, and they will continue to roll it out to iOS users, according to Tech Slashdot.
Last year, Reddit bought Dubsmash, TikTok's competitor. The company refused to reveal the details of the purchase.
Both Facebook and Snapchat showed interest in purchasing Dubsmash, which had recorded 1 billion views as of January 2020.
Promoting Subreddits
Reddit refused to comment on whether or not its video player is using an algorithm to promote new subreddits to users based on their activity.
A Reddit spokesperson confirmed that they would use the technology of Dubsmash to build other features in the future.
Reddit is also working on allowing users to downvote and upvote subreddits and videos.
Reddit first launched its video platform in 2017. At the time, it only allowed users to upload MOV and MP4 files.
In August 2019, the company launched Reddit Public Access Network or RPAN. It lets people livestream subreddits.
Currently, Reddit has more than 50 million daily active visitors, and it has more than 100,000 active subreddits.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Sophie Webster
