Facebook considers becoming TikTok, The Verge reports

Facebook is reportedly exploring a major strategic shift that would see it transform its core platform into a service more closely resembling TikTok, according to a recent report. The move comes as the social media giant faces increasing competition from the short-form video app, which has surged in popularity among younger users.

The potential overhaul would affect Facebook's billions of users worldwide, particularly those who have been gravitating toward TikTok's algorithm-driven feed of viral videos. If implemented, the change could fundamentally alter how people experience Facebook, moving away from its traditional news feed model toward a more entertainment-focused, full-screen video interface. This matters because Facebook has long been the dominant social network, but its user growth has stagnated, especially among teens and young adults, who now spend more time on TikTok.

According to The Verge, which cited sources familiar with internal discussions, Facebook executives have debated whether to pivot the main app toward a TikTok-like design. The report did not specify a timeline or confirm that a final decision has been made. However, it noted that the company has already launched a separate product called Reels on Instagram, which mimics TikTok's format, and has been testing similar features on Facebook.

This development follows years of Facebook copying features from rivals, including Stories from Snapchat and short-form video from TikTok. The company's leadership, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, has acknowledged the threat posed by TikTok, which has grown to over 1 billion monthly active users. Facebook's own user base remains larger at nearly 3 billion, but its engagement metrics have declined.

Next steps are unclear, but the report suggests that Facebook may accelerate its efforts to integrate more video content and algorithm-driven recommendations. If the company does proceed with a full redesign, it could face backlash from users accustomed to the current interface, as well as regulatory scrutiny over data privacy and algorithmic amplification. For now, Facebook has not publicly commented on the report.