Elon Musk's X has begun expanding the rollout of its dedicated vertical video feed to users worldwide, just days after its debut in the US, TechCrunch has exclusively learned and confirmed with the company. The new feature, accessible through a dedicated tab in the X app, has already appeared in various regions outside the US, including India, Australia, and some European markets.

A spokesperson for X confirmed to TechCrunch that the global rollout of the vertical video feed is currently "underway," with the company focusing on iOS users for now. Android users will have to wait a bit longer, although no exact timeframe for the Android launch has been shared.

The rapid global expansion of X's vertical video feed comes amid uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future in the US market. The popular short-video app is facing a potential ban, which has been temporarily put on hold as President Trump extended the deadline for TikTok to make a deal that would cede some control to a US entity, if not a full divestment of its US operations, to protect national security interests.

X's move to expand its vertical video feed globally is seen as a strategic play to capitalize on the potential void left by TikTok's uncertain future. The new feature not only provides entertainment but also allows X to display ads after users scroll through a few short videos, generating additional revenue by keeping users engaged with the video content – a strategy common across social networks, including Instagram and others.

Video experiences have become a key focus for X in general. Last year, the platform launched a standalone TV app to show videos from creators and organizations. X also enabled users in 2022 to scroll through short videos by tapping on a video in the timeline and swiping it up. The expansion of the vertical video feed is a natural progression of this strategy, as X aims to become a go-to destination for video content.

The global rollout of X's vertical video feed is expected to have significant implications for the social media landscape. As TikTok's future remains uncertain, X is positioning itself as a viable alternative for users and advertisers alike. The move is also likely to put pressure on other social media platforms to enhance their video offerings, as the battle for user attention and engagement intensifies.

In conclusion, X's accelerated global rollout of its vertical video feed marks a significant development in the social media space. As the company continues to expand its video capabilities, it will be interesting to see how users and advertisers respond, and how this move impacts the broader social media landscape.