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Instagram CEO says competing with TikTok is a matter of survival

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified during an antitrust trial that TikTok threatens Instagram's future, revealing that user engagement has sharply declined since he took over in 2018. He noted that an estimated 23% of the decline in US user time was attributed to TikTok. The trial examines the claim that Meta has monopolized the social networking market, with prosecutors highlighting significant differences between platforms like Instagram and entertainment sites like TikTok.

Key points

  • Mosseri's testimony indicates Instagram's user engagement decline since 2018.
  • Internal estimates from 2019 show 23% of Instagram's user time drop in the US was influenced by TikTok.
  • The antitrust trial questions Meta's acquisition strategies, focusing on alleged market monopoly.
  • Prosecutors argue that Instagram and Snapchat serve different purposes than platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
  • Zuckerberg's 2018 email warned of risks in prioritizing public figure content over user-centric sharing.

Why it matters

  • The battle between Instagram and TikTok reflects the ongoing competition in the social media landscape as platforms adapt to changing user preferences.
  • With video content becoming dominant, competition is expected to intensify as apps seek to retain engagement and relevance.
  • The trial underscores increasing regulatory scrutiny over tech giants and their market practices, highlighting similar movements across the industry.

The testimony reveals Instagram's critical challenges in retaining user engagement due to competition from TikTok, while the ongoing antitrust case raises significant questions about the future balance of power in the social media landscape.