This past weekend was quite eventful, but the implications of TikTok’s status are still unfolding. Although there have been discussions around a potential ban on the app, it remains inaccessible to new users in app stores. The executive order from Trump has placed Bytedance on a tight timeline of 75 days to devise a resolution. In the meantime, both X and Bluesky have emerged as hopeful contenders to fill the void left by TikTok.

Both platforms have previously hosted video content, with X notably allowing users to swipe between videos. The significant development is that Bluesky has recently introduced swipeable video capabilities alongside dedicated video feeds.

Introducing Bluesky’s Video Feed

Focusing on Bluesky first, it has undergone substantial enhancements. In the past, videos were simply attached to posts without a dedicated browsing experience. Now, users can now curate their own video feeds, featuring swipeable videos tailored to specific topics.

This updated feature operates similarly to text-based feeds, allowing users to pin custom timelines to their main Bluesky interface, generated either by the platform itself or by other users. However, unlike standard text feeds which offer a traditional scrolling approach, video feeds mimic TikTok’s format. Users simply select a video from a list of newly uploaded content and swipe through as they would on TikTok.

Access to trending videos is at your fingertips right from the search interface. For those less inclined towards short videos, this feature can be disabled in Settings > Content & Media. Activity on Bluesky has sparked the creation of specialized curated feeds, like #BookSky Vids, focusing on specific interests.

This customized approach presents Bluesky with a competitive edge over TikTok, where users often feel at the mercy of algorithm-driven content, with some exceptions in “Following” and “Friends” tabs. In contrast, Bluesky’s tailored feeds prioritize videos from designated accounts chosen by the feed’s creator.

X’s Enhanced Video Functionality

Turning to X, the platform has been refining its video features to more closely resemble those of TikTok, albeit now with heightened visibility. There’s a new small circular play icon at the bottom of the mobile application that instantly launches a TikTok-like feed of recommended videos. Users can engage with these videos through likes, reposts, comments, and shares. However, as of now, there’s no option to filter the feed solely to see content from followed creators, and the inner workings of the algorithm remain opaque.

The video feed appears to be influenced by users’ previous activities on X. For instance, one might start with lighthearted pet videos but then quickly dive into niche content like Godzilla or Vtuber themes—preferences that vary widely among users.

Moreover, there is substantial room for improvement within this feature. Currently, to access your viewing history, it is necessary to download a data archive from X, which could be streamlined in future updates.

Can Bluesky and X Compete with TikTok?

As TikTok remains operational for those who already have it installed, it may take some time before either alternative poses a substantial challenge to the app—especially with Instagram pushing its own Reels feature. Both Bluesky and X are still in the early phases of development, which might be advantageous as they refine their offerings. Presently, neither platform fully supports desktop functionalities, with Bluesky showcasing video feeds merely as traditional timelines alongside text posts, while X has yet to reveal its new video tab on desktop systems.

However, Bluesky could have an upper hand, as independent developers are exploring the creation of alternative TikTok-like platforms utilizing the AT Protocol, the technology underlying Bluesky.