Updated July 23rd, 2019 at 14:05 IST

TikTok likely to become more and more like Instagram with these upcoming features

TikTok may have plans to become more and more like Instagram in the near future, thanks to features like grid-layout, Discover tab and more

Reported by: Tanmay Patange
| Image:self
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TikTok may have plans to become more and more like Instagram in the near future. ByteDance's viral video app recorded a better number of app installs than Instagram during Q2 2019, according to data and figures revealed by Sensor Tower. Therefore, TikTok may be planning to go for some serious competition with Facebook's photo and video-sharing social network.

TikTok vs. Instagram: What's going on?

At TikTok, some Instagram-inspired features like Discover page, grid-style layout and account switcher among others could already be in works. Last week, famous tipster and reverse-engineering specialist Jane Manchun Wong shared some screenshots in a series of tweets. In her tweets, Wong offered a glimpse of what we can probably expect from TikTok in the future.

TikTok is testing a new grid-style layout, which resembles Instagram’s Explore page to a considerable extent. It would probably help TikTok improve its recommendation engine with increasing inputs about a user’s preferences. TikTok may also have plans to move a 'Discover' tab to the app's main navigation.

Once implemented, these design-level changes could be a massive deal for TikTok creators, as they come at a time when TikTok seriously attempts to take on Instagram left, right and centre. A growing number of youngsters now use platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, which explains why TikTok may be testing new design changes.

READ | TikTok owner ByteDance plans to set up data centre in India

Another upcoming TikTok feature could be 'Suggested Users' that is expected to help users discover top creators on the platform. TikTok might as well suggest Sounds and Hashtags in the Search page, as revealed by Wong.

Although TikTok identifies itself as a "community of global creators," researchers believe TikTok meets all elements of a social networking site since users can follow each other, like and comment on videos and send direct messages to each other.

We have reached out to TikTok for a comment.

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Published July 23rd, 2019 at 14:05 IST