TikTok is preparing to launch a new photo-sharing application that could compete with Instagram. In a message sent to users, TikTok announced the upcoming release of “a new app for photo posts” called TikTok Notes, as previously reported by TechCrunch.
The message states that it will automatically share “existing and future public TikTok photo posts” to TikTok Notes, while also providing users with the option to opt out. Additionally, a new photo.tiktok.com URL (archived version), discovered by TechCrunch, briefly appeared online with a prompt to open a post in the TikTok Notes app. Based on the image featured on the site, it seems that users will have the ability to include a caption alongside their photos as well.
TikTok informed TechCrunch that it is “exploring ways to empower our community to create and share their creativity with photos and text in a dedicated space for those formats,” but did not specify a release date for the app. The Verge contacted TikTok for more information but did not receive an immediate response.
The possibility of a TikTok photo-sharing app first surfaced last month when TheSpAndroid discovered code within the app indicating the development of an app called TikTok Photos.
Now, it appears that the app is nearing an official launch, potentially posing a significant challenge to Instagram. TikTok Notes is expected to be prepopulated with photos already shared by TikTok users (assuming most users opt in), which could help establish an initial user base without the need for extensive outreach.
