Instagram may be developing a new app called “Barcelona” that could be a text-based social network to compete with Twitter, according to the source. The app, previously referred to as “P92”, will reportedly have a maximum post length of 500 characters, and it seems the app is not just a codename but an actual name for the project.
It is believed that Barcelona could mark a return to more text-based content on social media platforms, which have become increasingly dominated by visual media like photos and videos. Instagram itself has shifted towards this trend, with the introduction of features like Instagram Stories and Reels, which prioritize visual content.
If Barcelona does launch as a text-based social network, it would be an interesting move for Instagram, which has traditionally focused on visual content. However, Instagram has been experimenting with different types of content recently, including audio with the launch of the Clubhouse-like feature, Instagram Live Rooms.
The development of Barcelona also comes amid increasing competition between social media platforms. Twitter has been focusing on improving its own visual content offerings, while newer platforms like Clubhouse and TikTok have been gaining in popularity. If Barcelona does launch as a text-based social network, it will be interesting to see how it competes with these other platforms and whether users will embrace the return to more text-based content.
