Instagram’s rumored text-based Twitter competitor still does not have a name, but now we know what it might look like.
The rumor that Instagram would soon release a text-based app to compete with Twitter have grown (a lot) stronger today when what appears to be an internal marketing slide was leaked.
The news, and layout of the new app, was first broken by Lia Haberman, who shared it in her ICYMI Substack newsletter.
https://twitter.com/liahaberman/status/1659553280891179010
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For now, the leaked slide does not provide a name for the app, instead calling it “Instagram’s new text-based app for conversations.” Other reports of the upcoming text-based app have it codenamed P92 or, alternately, Barcelona.
From the information we have, it seems users will be able to sign in with their existing Instagram username and password. By doing so, a lot of your existing information and app usage will be transferred over, including your followers, handle, bio, and verification.
The app itself is made of a feed of text posts, up to 500 characters long that can also include links, photos and videos.
Like on Twitter, you will be able to engage with likes and replies and Meta is ready to help users make the best of their presence on the app, “equipping you with settings to control who can reply to you and mention your account.” That means Instagram will also carry over the accounts you’ve blocked.
Somehow more interesting, and unexpected from Meta, the new app will be compute with “certain other apps like Mastodon.” That means that users from these other (approved) apps will be able to “search for, follow and interact with your profile and content if you’re public, or if you’re private and approve them as followers.”
In a nutshell, the app will let you reach new audiences outside of the Meta realm.
Meta declined to comment. In March, it provided the following statement about its efforts to Platformer: “We’re exploring a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates. We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests.”
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