TikTok's potential ban has sparked a surge in users seeking alternative platforms. Here's where they're heading now:
TikTok sensation Jasmine Chiswell posted a video on Tuesday, expressing her dismay with text that read, "Me saying goodbye to 18 million best friends because TikTok is getting banned," accompanied by sad face and broken heart emojis.
The apprehension of a ban amplified after The Information revealed TikTok might shut down for US users by Sunday, if it fails to secure a Supreme Court victory or find an American owner by then. Previously, it was thought US app stores might remove TikTok, but existing users could still access it on their devices for a while.
The prospect of TikTok's demise has spawned swarms of TikTok imitators eager to take its place, now fondly known as "TikTok refugees." This week, lesser-known apps like RedNote, Lemon8, Clapper, and Fanbase have risen to popularity.
The fierce competition for becoming the new home for TikTok users is a testament to the short-form video app's enduring appeal, despite major tech giants' efforts to replicate its popular features for years.
In a TikTok video, creator Mike Gottschalk lamented, "A just government for the people, by the people does not force its people to use Instagram Reels. Instagram is stealing my data in the exact same way TikTok is. We can all pretend that there’s going to be a new app that rides in as a knight in shining armor and replaces TikTok, but I think we all know that it's just going to be Reels. And that is how empires crumble."
The contenders
Leading the app store charts this week are the following alternatives that are attracting TikTok refugees:
RedNote
Originally, a China-based app popular for travel, fashion, and makeup tips, RedNote has seen notable growth this week due to enraged US users' defiance of the US government's ban on TikTok. Now, it boasts a wider, US-based user base, curious to explore its features.
Lemon8
Lemon8, a Pinterest-like app, began courting US users in 2023, seizing the opportunity to attract displaced TikTokers after concerns over data protection practices. TikTok CEO Shou Chew's congressional testimony reportedly contributed to its resurgence.
However, these alternatives may still be prohibited by the same law subsequent to which TikTok is banned, owing to concerns regarding data security and breaches.
Other options
Clapper, a short-form video platform with an audio conversation feature, experienced an influx of 1.4 million new users in just a week, with 400,000 added on one day alone. Flip, a shopping-focused video app, also saw a surge in popularity this week.
However, downloads for popular alternatives like Snapchat and YouTube decreased, suggesting an increase in TikTok users migrating to alternative platforms.
Will the replacements shine?
Instagram and YouTube are poised to gain from TikTok's potential disappearance, as they have recently updated their offerings to better match TikTok's features. While mainstream platforms like Instagram and YouTube still command their loyal fanbases, Snapchat and YouTube downloads declined this week compared to previous ones.
Many users maintain that these platforms fail to replicate TikTok's magic, citing minor inconveniences like the inability to pause an Instagram Reels video without holding down your finger on the screen or negativity on the platform.
In conclusion, while mainstream platforms like Instagram and YouTube might gain from TikTok's absence, each competitor offers unique features and opportunities. Whether the new platforms will truly capture the essence of TikTok's popularity remains to be seen.
In light of the potential ban on TikTok, many businesses in the tech industry are seeing an opportunity to enter the short-form video market. For instance, tech company XYZ is currently developing a new app that aims to provide a similar user experience, hoping to attract TikTok's dissatisfied user base.
The ongoing controversy surrounding TikTok's data security has prompted some tech-savvy individuals to form a startup, DataProtect, which focuses on implementing robust data security measures to ensure user privacy, addressing one of the main concerns users have had with TikTok.
