Newly Appointed Twitter CEO Responds to Meta’s Plan to Launch Clone Rival

Linda Yaccarino speaks during Advertising Week 2015 AWXII at the Times Center Stage in New York City, on Sept. 30, 2015. (Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images for AWXII)

Newly appointed Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino shared her first response to the planned Twitter clone app reportedly in development at Meta that will be integrated with Instagram.

“Game on!” Yaccarino said in a May 22 tweet while responding to an article about Instagram developing a Twitter clone. The news was first reported by Moneycontrol. “We’re exploring a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates. We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests,” a Meta spokesperson said, according to the outlet.

The text-based content app will reportedly support the decentralized social networking protocol ActivityPub which powers apps like Twitter rival Mastodon. Meta’s Twitter clone, codenamed P92, will be partially linked to Instagram, and users will be able to log into the new app using their existing credentials.

Instagram users who do not sign up for P92 will be shown to users who do sign up for the Twitter clone, with the company hoping that new P92 users would recommend the app to their unsigned friends, said Moneycontrol.

Social media consultant and industry analyst Matt Navarra had earlier revealed similar information. “Users will keep their same Instagram handle, verification will roll over, and their Instagram followers will receive a notification to follow them on the new platform, making it easier to build a following quickly,” Navarra said in a May 13 tweet.

The Meta team is also said to be planning to make use of Instagram user data, whether they have signed up for P92 or not, for analytics, ranking, and product improvement on the new app.

Features, Early Celebrity Adoption

P92 is said to include tappable links in posts with previews and verification badges. Though the app will allow for followers and likes, it is unsure whether messaging and commenting features would be present in the initial version.

In a May 19 tweet, Lia Haberman, author of social media newsletter ICYMI, said that Meta is briefing creators about its upcoming Twitter clone, with a potential launch as early as June.

“The decentralized app is built on the back of Instagram but will be compatible with some other apps like Mastodon. So, users on other apps will be able search for, follow and interact with your profile and content,” Haberman said.

“The app will have a centralized feed showcasing your followers and recommended content. You can post text updates up to 500 characters (that’s less than an Instagram caption, an extended tweet, or a LinkedIn post. So, be concise!) And also videos and images.”

“The app will have creator controls and account safety features. For example, accounts you’ve blocked on IG will carry over. Hidden words you’ve selected on IG will also carry over.”

According to Navarra, Meta is presently approaching “high-profile influencers and celebrities” to become early adopters of the Twitter clone and try it out before the app is made available to the public.

“Meta is taking submissions of talent to grant early access to the app. They‘re focusing on film and television actors, producers, writers, directors, showrunners, athletes, and comedians,” Navarra said.