TikTok might be eyeing a brand new approach to tackle Instagram, with a brand new “TikTok Images” app reportedly in growth.

As reported by The SpAndroid, within the back-end code of the present TikTok app, some new references to “TikTok Images” have appeared throughout the code strings.

The code seems to recommend that TikTok customers will quickly be prompted to share their nonetheless pictures to the brand new app, in an effort to “attain like-minded individuals who get pleasure from photograph posts”.

There’s additionally, apparently, a brand new welcome message for the app:

“TikTok Images can be launched quickly, we hope that can assist you acquire new audiences within the new app. If the change is on, we’ll sync your public pictures to the brand new app, whether or not you shut the pop-up or not.”

The addition of a separate TikTok Images app just isn’t overly shocking, on condition that TikTok has already added a “photograph mode” for nonetheless pictures in-stream, and has been encouraging customers to submit extra pictures of late.

It additionally is sensible within the context of Chinese language app traits.

China’s personal model of Instagram is the Tencent-backed Xiaohongshu, which has seen massive success of late after incorporating eCommerce options.

Xiaohongshu generated greater than $500 million in internet revenue in 2023, far exceeding expectations for the platform, and now has greater than 200 million lively customers within the nation.

Douyin, the Chinese language model of TikTok, has additionally been emphasizing nonetheless picture posts, although it seemingly hasn’t seen this as a key precedence. However possibly, now that Xiaohongshu is making massive cash, and increasing on its eCommerce potential, that’s now prompted TikTok proprietor ByteDance to make an even bigger push on this component.

So will it work?

Effectively, it’s exhausting to see how an Instagram equal will compete in markets the place IG itself exists however possibly, as an enlargement of TikTok’s in-stream procuring push, there might be one thing there, which may make it a extra viable mission.

And ByteDance has proven a willingness to experiment with new apps, together with Lemon8, which additionally appears very very similar to Instagram, although with a transparent eCommerce tilt.

Lemon8 drew important curiosity shortly after its U.S. launch early final 12 months, however has seemingly misplaced momentum of late.  

Possibly, a TikTok-branded photograph app would fare higher, and facilitate extra alternatives in Western markets.

And possibly, on condition that TikTok is dealing with a ban as soon as once more within the U.S., it needs to get it out now, in an effort to check the waters earlier than a ban is enacted.

There’s not a heap to go on as but, however the indicators do recommend that ByteDance might be trying to improve its eCommerce enchantment via an image-based app.