Overview

• Instagram head Adam Mosseri reportedly discussed plans to create a standalone Reels app, codenamed Project Ray, during a staff meeting this week.
• The proposed app would expand on Reels' current functionality, featuring longer three-minute videos and improved content recommendations for users in the U.S.
• The move comes as TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain, with a 75-day extension on a potential ban set to expire on April 5, 2025.
• Meta previously attempted similar standalone apps, such as Lasso and IGTV, but these efforts were discontinued due to limited user adoption.
• Meta recently launched a video-editing app called Edits, aimed at competing with TikTok's CapCut, signaling its broader push into video-focused platforms.