A TikTok Alternative Called Loops Is Coming for the Fediverse
The fediverse answer to TikTok is on its way. Signups opened this week for Loops, a short-form looping video app created by the developer of Pixelfed, an Instagram alternative.
Users who’ve signed up can post up to 60 seconds of video, according to details shared by developer Daniel Supernault on Mastodon. He added that sound integration, video remixing, and pinned profile videos are on the way, as well as options to curate comment sections. While videos can be categorized, hashtags and mentions aren’t supported yet.
The Loops Pixelfed account has posted demo videos of Loops in action. Supernault has also shared screenshots and screen recordings of the app.
Creating an account isn’t immediate; users will need to wait for a confirmation email, which could take time, Supernault noted. The app’s initial release on iOS will be through TestFlight, Apple’s program for testing unreleased apps, requiring a free developer account. Loops will also release a side-loadable Android app.
Loops will rely on human moderators, with Supernault calling for volunteers on Mastodon. Videos on the platform will be moderated using a trust score that each local user has. Videos from lower-trust users will be held for review, while those from trusted users go live immediately.
Loops’ integration with the fediverse is in progress but not yet live, and the app has not been open-sourced, according to a site FAQ. Users retain ownership of their content; Loops does not sell videos, provide them to advertisers, or use them to train AI. Funding will come from grants, sponsorships, and donations. You can review the privacy policy on the Loops site.
Users who’ve signed up can post up to 60 seconds of video, according to details shared by developer Daniel Supernault on Mastodon. He added that sound integration, video remixing, and pinned profile videos are on the way, as well as options to curate comment sections. While videos can be categorized, hashtags and mentions aren’t supported yet.
The Loops Pixelfed account has posted demo videos of Loops in action. Supernault has also shared screenshots and screen recordings of the app.
Creating an account isn’t immediate; users will need to wait for a confirmation email, which could take time, Supernault noted. The app’s initial release on iOS will be through TestFlight, Apple’s program for testing unreleased apps, requiring a free developer account. Loops will also release a side-loadable Android app.
Loops will rely on human moderators, with Supernault calling for volunteers on Mastodon. Videos on the platform will be moderated using a trust score that each local user has. Videos from lower-trust users will be held for review, while those from trusted users go live immediately.
Loops’ integration with the fediverse is in progress but not yet live, and the app has not been open-sourced, according to a site FAQ. Users retain ownership of their content; Loops does not sell videos, provide them to advertisers, or use them to train AI. Funding will come from grants, sponsorships, and donations. You can review the privacy policy on the Loops site.