With Twitter a weakened beast of late, it was only a matter of time before an industry rival moved in to take advantage. Meta is launching an ambitious but seemingly meticulously developed and tested app via its Instagram brand that will give social media users an alternative to Elon Musk’s platform.
Twitter user Ezereal shared an image of the new Meta app on Saturday, saying it looked like “basically Twitter with Instagram UI/vibes”:
Ezereal’s image was better quality, but it was UCLA social and influencer marketing teacher, Lia Haberman, who got there a day earlier, revealing the app “is built on the back of Instagram.” Haberman explained users would sign in with their Instagram username and password, and that “your handle, bio and even verification will carry over from IG.”
The teacher also stated the app could also work with other Twitter rivals, such as Mastodon. “They’re just making it SO easy to use,” she added.
Since Musk’s takeover, Twitter’s brand appeal and credibility has fallen steadily, with influencers like Ezereal just one of many on the lookout for a new place to share tweet-like updates.
full version of the platform set for a June 2023 launch
And Meta, it seems, is doing everything to make sure its that place, with Bloomberg on Saturday citing insider sources stating the Mark Zuckerberg-controlled firm was testing the alt-Twitter app with celebrities and influencers. The news site further revealed Instagram has been working with “select creators for months,” but still hasn’t given them access to the full version of the platform set for a June 2023 launch.