x Global Vertical Video Feed Launch

X Expands Vertical Video Feed Globally

Elon Musk’s X platform has initiated a global expansion of its dedicated vertical video feed. This rollout began shortly after its initial launch within the United States, as exclusively reported by TechCrunch and verified by the company itself.

Feature Availability and Rollout

TechCrunch observed the new functionality appearing in several regions beyond the U.S. on Friday. These included India, Australia, and select European countries.

A representative from X confirmed to TechCrunch that the global deployment of the vertical video feed is presently “in progress.”

Accessing the New Feature

Users can access this new feature through a dedicated tab within the X application. It is strategically positioned alongside the Grok button for increased visibility.

Platform Specificity

Currently, the rollout is limited to iOS devices. Android users will need to await further updates for access. (The company has not provided a specific timeline for the Android release.)

Context of the Launch

X released its vertical video feed in the U.S. amidst ongoing discussions regarding the potential future of TikTok within the market. These discussions stem from a proposed ban.

Enforcement of the potential ban is currently paused. This is due to President Trump extending the deadline for TikTok to negotiate a deal. This deal would involve transferring some control to a U.S.-based entity, or potentially a complete divestment of its U.S. operations, to safeguard national security.

Monetization Strategy

Beyond entertainment, the new video feature provides X with opportunities to integrate advertisements. These ads are displayed after users view a series of short videos.

This approach aims to increase company revenue by maintaining user engagement with video content – a common tactic employed by other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

X’s Focus on Video

Video experiences have become increasingly central to X’s overall strategy. Last year, the platform introduced a dedicated TV application for showcasing videos from creators and organizations.

Furthermore, in 2022, X enabled users to navigate short videos by swiping upwards on videos within their timelines.