Key Takeaways:

• Instagram has unveiled a new video editing app called Edits, launched the same day TikTok faced a ban in the U.S.
• Edits aims to provide creators with advanced tools for video creation, similar to features offered by CapCut.
• Despite the TikTok ban, TikTok has announced plans to restore service in the U.S. under new support from President-elect Donald Trump.
• Edits is currently available for pre-order and is set to officially launch on March 13, 2025.

On the same day the federal law banning TikTok came into effect, Instagram, owned by Meta, announced a new video-editing application named Edits. The unveiling of the app comes amid tumultuous times for TikTok, which has faced significant challenges due to legal measures targeting its parent company, ByteDance. “Today we’re announcing Edits, a brand new app for making videos on your phone,” stated Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, in a video shared on the platform. He emphasized the importance of creating compelling creative tools for those passionate about video creation.

The introduction of Edits seeks to capitalize on TikTok's uncertain future, especially as TikTok's access was restricted shortly before midnight on January 19, 2025, due to the new ban. “There’s a lot going on in the world right now,” Mosseri noted, underscoring Instagram’s commitment to equipping users with useful video editing capabilities. Designed for mobile users, Edits will allow the creation of videos up to 10 minutes long in 1080p resolution, complete with tools for analytics on video performance, sharing drafts, and enhanced camera features.

This move is a strategic attempt by Meta to attract TikTok users and content creators during a time of uncertainty for its rival, which has faced scrutiny over its handling of user data. TikTok’s swift legal struggles saw the app temporarily unavailable in the U.S. market, although it has announced efforts to restore operations following potential support from the incoming administration. “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service,” they stated, thanking President Trump for clarity regarding service continuation.

Edits is set for a rollout, with users able to pre-order it now from the USA Today app store. While the app enters a competitive space filled with existing platforms like Adobe Premiere Rush and CapCut, its timing highlights Instagram's strategy to attract users amid TikTok's ongoing federal regulatory challenges, which included a bipartisan-supported bill signed by President Biden in 2024 that called for the divestment or ban of TikTok operations stateside. As the situation continues to unfold, content creators are watching closely how this new tool will integrate with their existing workflows and the evolving landscape of social media video creation.

For more details on the ongoing TikTok situation, visit New York Times and The Hill.