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Users can now post video responses to X updates, creating a new way to interact.
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The “React with video” feature allows users to overlay video reactions on a post or image background.
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X is also working on a new video option that isolates a user’s video while keeping the background intact, akin to a green screen effect.
X is taking significant steps to enhance video engagement on its platform. The company has recently introduced a new "React with video" feature, allowing users to respond to posts with video reactions. This move comes as part of X’s push to evolve into a “video-first” platform and compete with other video-heavy social media apps like TikTok.
This new functionality allows X users to create more dynamic and interactive replies to content, moving beyond static text-based responses. The feature was initially rolled out to testers earlier this month and is now expanding to a broader user base.
Those who are in the test group will have access to video reactions. More updates are coming! pic.twitter.com/TXPc7izMDN
— Ilnar Aliullov (@i_aliullov) March 12, 2025
X’s push towards video content is no surprise, as the platform has been vocal about its goal to prioritize entertainment content in its strategy. The app’s video views have already seen a 40% year-over-year increase, and additional features like text-to-video creation via the Grok chatbot are on the horizon.
🚨🇺🇸 XAІ LAUNCHES GROK IMAGE GENERATION API
xAI has released the Grok Image Generation API, allowing developers to programmatically generate images using the Grok-2-Image model.
The API can generate up to 10 JPG images per request, with a limit of 5 requests per second, and… https://t.co/zNQmAxyX0t pic.twitter.com/oNweN1ujUN
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 20, 2025
The Goal: Boosting User Interaction Through Video
X is positioning itself to become more video-centric in an effort to increase engagement. By enabling easier video replies, the platform hopes to encourage users to spend more time interacting with video posts rather than traditional text comments. This shift could potentially boost video-based interactions, aligning them more closely with the platform’s existing text reply system.
However, while X is pushing hard for this transformation, the question remains whether users, who have long been accustomed to text-based interactions, will embrace this change. X is making a concerted effort, but it remains to be seen if video will become the dominant form of engagement on the platform.
Similarities with Competitors
X’s latest feature is reminiscent of TikTok's popular green screen effect, which allows users to create reactions by overlaying videos on different backgrounds. X’s version is slightly different, as it allows users to respond to posts with videos that seamlessly blend into the content. This offers a unique opportunity for users to provide more context and engagement, similar to how TikTok users create dynamic, attention-grabbing content.
By introducing this feature, X is looking to capture some of the energy and creativity that platforms like TikTok have nurtured, giving users another reason to engage with video on the platform.
Eager to see the feature in action? Check out these X posts.
We’re going to be able to react
to Vines playing within our Vines!
(videos on X = Vines from here on out)@X is turning into the TikTok
killer in front of our very eyes!!+ we have Landscape Mode & TikTok doesn’t! Perfect for watching on X TV. 👇 https://t.co/GiZg7aEeYj pic.twitter.com/tlsEXfGZCO
— Christiano Co𝕍ino 🏴☠️ HeyChristiano.eth 💪🐸🎸 (@heyChristiano) March 26, 2025
I got it!!! Thank you X, and my apologies to the rest of you. I am sure that I’m going to use this far too often. https://t.co/U9ITFsJcmi pic.twitter.com/TFY8yL76jX
— Orah Petri (@notyouneek) March 26, 2025
I do love me a good well done infographic! https://t.co/q5UTQez5Vz pic.twitter.com/WchyYt0wJS
— ⟁ndrew V (@AndrewVoirol) March 26, 2025
The Future of Video Engagement on X
X’s ongoing efforts to push video interaction come at a time when the platform is also trying to carve out its place in the highly competitive social media landscape. While its video-first approach still feels like a significant shift for many users, this new feature may help build momentum for more engaging and interactive content.
By continuing to add video-based features and tools, X is working to become a more video-centric platform. The success of these new features will depend on how users adapt to the changes and whether X can maintain its focus on boosting video engagement in the long term.