TL;DR
- Instagram has announced Edits, a video editing app positioned to rival CapCut, just after TikTok and CapCut went offline in the US.
- Edits offers advanced editing tools, green screen capabilities, video overlays, and analytics like engagement breakdowns and skipped content metrics.
- Meta has been developing Edits for months, aiming to attract creators looking for reliable alternatives amidst uncertainty around TikTok and ByteDance apps.
- TikTok’s US ban was lifted hours after going offline, following Trump’s reversal announcement, highlighting its unstable standing.
Instagram announced a new video editing app called Edits just hours after TikTok and its editing app CapCut went offline in the US.
According to Instagram head Adam Mosseri, the app aims to rival CapCut. The announcement emphasized tools that cater to creators, setting the stage for what could be a major competitive move.
“There’s a lot going on right now, but no matter what happens, it’s our job to provide the best possible tools for creators,” Mosseri said in a video posted to Instagram. He outlined the app’s features, noting its ambition to be more than a simple editing tool.
“Edits is more than a video editing app; it’s a full suite of creative tools,” Mosseri said. “There will be a dedicated tab for inspiration, another for keeping track of early ideas, a much higher-quality camera (which I used to record this video), all the editing tools you’d expect, the ability to share drafts with friends and other creators, and — if you decide to share your videos on Instagram — powerful insights into how those videos perform.”
Edits Features and Insights
According to Mosseri’s explanation and the App Store listing, Edits introduces significant features that go beyond the basics. These include:
- A live insights dashboard that displays performance metrics for video content.
- Engagement breakdowns for both follower and non-follower audiences.
- Metrics that highlight video segments frequently skipped by viewers.
In addition, the editing tools are robust. Users can employ green screens, video overlays, and other tools commonly used in TikTok content. By integrating analytics tools, Edits is positioning itself as a creator-first app rather than just another editor.
“Months in the Making”
Mosseri confirmed on Threads that Meta has been developing Edits “for months.” Addressing user comparisons to CapCut, he explained that Edits offers a broader set of tools.
“It will end up pretty different than CapCut,” he said, “Edits will have a much broader range of creative tools and probably a smaller addressable audience.” While not directly stated, the timing and scope suggest Meta intends Edits as a competitor ready to fill gaps left by TikTok and its related apps, such as CapCut, amid regulatory challenges and platform uncertainty.
CapCut’s Influence and TikTok’s Ban
CapCut gained popularity through its tight integration with TikTok. It was a preferred choice for quick, creative editing for users sharing TikTok content.
But TikTok’s legal and regulatory troubles have cast doubts on its long-term availability, especially in regions enforcing bans.
Notably, TikTok’s ban in the US was temporarily lifted a few hours after the app went dark. Former President Trump announced plans to reverse the ban just hours after TikTok became unavailable.
While the ban’s uncertainty lingers, the incident underscores the platform’s precarious position.
While Mosseri didn’t explicitly link Edits to TikTok’s struggles, the parallels are clear. With uncertainty surrounding ByteDance apps like CapCut, Edits is positioned to grab users looking for reliable alternatives.
Edits Availability
Edits launches officially on March 13, 2025. The early announcement and preorder availability indicate Meta’s commitment to promoting the app and establishing it as a market leader in creative tools.
For users previously dependent on TikTok or CapCut, this new tool might be worth exploring. As the social media landscape evolves, apps like Edits could redefine how you create and share content.
Whether the tool successfully fills the void left by ByteDance platforms remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Meta has its sights set on shaping the post-TikTok era.
