New platform, same feature seems to be the motto for a lot of social media apps lately.

While TikTok’s impact and popularity have inspired other platforms to copy its style, the short-form video sharing app is paying the compliment back by testing a new feature from some of its many competitors. According to a report from Variety, TikTok is launching a vanishing-post feature called “TikTok Stories” where posts, like on other apps, will disappear after 24 hours.

Though the feature isn’t set to permanently go live on the platform just yet, TikTok seems to be running a trial and error test on ways that users and creators can take advantage of additional avenues to share their creativity on the app.

“We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience,” a TikTok spokesperson told Variety in a statement. “Currently we’re experimenting with ways to give creators additional formats to bring their creative ideas to life for the TikTok community.”

Social media consultant Matt Navarra tweeted screenshots previewing TikTok Stories on Twitter before asking TikTok’s Communications Team to confirm if the new feature was actually legit.

More screenshots of TikTok Stories pic.twitter.com/1PVfgJ9YWT

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) August 4, 2021

According to The Verge, TikTok Stories seems to follow similar stories functions on other apps but it appears it’s staying true to its video nature and only allowing users to share videos, not still photos. The platform has yet to share details on how wide the new feature is being tested or when it’s expected to formally rollout, but numerous TikTok users seem to already have access to it.

The stories feature first originated on Snapchat before it eventually made its way to big-time rivals like Instagram, Facebook and even Twitter who tested out Fleets before removing the feature less than a year later. But TikTok itself has faced its own threats of imitation of its short-video format from its competition — including apps like Instagram that introduced “Reels” and YouTube that recently launched “Shorts” with a monetization program that pays creators up to $10,000 a month from its $100 million creator fund.

Social media apps seem to be waging a friendly functions war to see who can launch the best signature features. With all the copying that’s been going on, it’s hard to say when another never-before-seen function will be introduced to the masses.

TikTok Stories

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