The popular video-sharing platform TikTok is reportedly considering launching a group messaging feature later this year. If so, the group messaging function could keep TikTok’s users on the app longer and help it compete more directly with social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram.
Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, has offered group chats since 2019, and according to Reuters, the parent company ByteDance is now evaluating when and where to expand the feature.
If TikTok were to get these features and implement them right, it could pose a real threat to Facebook's dominance, particularly due to its hold on younger users— not to mention, it will likely persuade many Instagram-based chat groups to migrate over to TikTok.
As it stands, TikTok is already the new king in town. The app booted Facebook out of the number one spot as the most-downloaded app of 2020 when iOS and Android downloads were combined.
Unlike previous years, 2020’s report is especially interesting considering how the COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our lives, resulting in lockdowns across the globe and forcing many of us to work from home.
