To boost interaction and capitalize on wider usage patterns, TikTok is testing a different app. Whee, the latest app, provides an Instagram-like feed of photos that are shared only with friends.
TikTok says in a post that was posted on a social networking platform today that “Whee is a new social app created to keep you connected with your close friends through life’s spontaneous moments. Capture and share real-life photos that only your friends can see, allowing you to be your most authentic self. Where is the best place for close friends to share life moments.”
TikTok released Notes, a new photo-sharing app in April that is similar to Instagram and their previous app, Lemon8, which was released the previous year. Whee and Notes address different use cases, while Lemon8 concentrates on items and promotions.
Notes target a wider audience, whereas Whee is more focused on friend sharing. Notes is a lifestyle platform, according to the App Store, that serves as a public sharing platform for visual information and provides educational photo-text content regarding travel advice, recipes, and other topics.
The focus on photo sharing is consistent with the tendencies of the Chinese market. Popular Instagram clone Xiaohongshu, supported by Tencent, has grown significantly and entered the eCommerce space. TikTok may be trying to duplicate the success of Notes in Western markets and encourage private sharing via Whee to obtain data for targeting advertisements.
TikTok's fresh initiatives will be interesting to monitor as the platform continues to seek new ways to engage users, even in the saturated market with Instagram and Snapchat.
