A spokesperson has confirmed the gradual global roll-out of a vertical video feed on Elon Musk’s social media platform.

Just days after its debut in the US, X has started expanding its vertical video feed offering to other parts of the world. This expansion allows users globally to access a dedicated vertical video feed, enhancing the platform’s multimedia experience. The fact this feature was unveiled amidst the banning of TikTok in the US is no great surprise or mystery.

Initially launched in the US, the vertical video feed is now available globally. Users can access this feature through a new video tab located in the app’s bottom navigation bar, allowing for quick discovery and interaction with video content. This expansion marks the platform’s ongoing push to position itself as a video-first social media network, following earlier efforts like the launch of its standalone TV app.

Vertical video has quickly become one of the most consumed formats on social media, particularly with the rise of platforms like TikTok. It offers a streamlined way to engage viewers, as videos are designed to fit the natural orientation of mobile screens. X’s global rollout of this feature is part of its strategy to meet users’ changing habits and compete with other major platforms (or fill the vacuum left by major pioneers in this format, cough cough TikTok).

Currently, this new feature is only available to iOS users. There is no official word from X on when Android users will gain access, leaving a significant portion of its global audience waiting. This limitation may impact the immediate adoption of the vertical video feed but suggests X is focusing on refining the experience before a broader rollout.

X is not only focusing on videos and entertainment. It has begun displaying ads after users scroll through a few videos in the vertical feed. This strategy, common across many social media platforms, is also a significant part of X’s efforts to generate more revenue. Recently, Elon Musk admitted that X is “barely breaking even,” which highlights the company’s struggle to secure profitability. As Musk explained in a letter to employees, “Our user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we’re barely breaking even.” This ad strategy could be a key factor in helping X achieve its financial goals in a competitive social media landscape.