The TikTok Alternatives That Users Are Flocking To

(CLO) There are only three days left until TikTok is banned in the US, but many users have already started saying goodbye and looking for alternative platforms.

Influencer Jasmine Chiswell posted a video with a sad expression and the caption: "I'm saying goodbye to 18 million best friends because TikTok is about to be banned", along with sad face and broken heart emojis.

TikTok's future in the US remains bleak. Photo: Solen Feyissa

Fears of a ban were further heightened by a report from The Information that TikTok could shut itself down to US users on Sunday if it fails to win a Supreme Court case or find a US buyer. Many had previously assumed TikTok would simply be removed from app stores, but existing users would still be able to access it.

Now, however, a slew of alternative apps are ready to welcome the “TikTok refugees.” Interestingly, these apps are not familiar competitors like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or Snapchat Spotlight, but rather newcomers like Xiaohongshu (RedNote), Lemon8, Clapper, Flip, and Fanbase.

Featured Alternative Apps

RedNote (Xiaohongshu), a Chinese social media app similar to Instagram, is popular for its travel, beauty, and fashion content. Many Americans joined RedNote as a way to protest the US government's ban on TikTok.

The influx of American users to RedNote has created some interesting cultural moments. Users are sharing Chinese lessons, internet slang, and calling for the app to add automatic bilingual subtitles. Duolingo says the number of Chinese learners is up 216% year-over-year, likely due to the influx of Americans joining RedNote.

Lemon8, a Pinterest-like app owned by TikTok parent company ByteDance, has also seen a surge in users. ByteDance has been promoting the app since early 2023, when CEO Shou Chew testified before the US Congress about data privacy.

However, both RedNote and Lemon8 could be affected by legislation that would ban apps controlled by “foreign adversaries” — just like TikTok. Some cybersecurity experts worry that RedNote could also share US user data with the Chinese government.

Clapper, a short-video platform that features live audio chats, similar to social network X, added 1.4 million new users in the past week, with 400,000 added on Wednesday alone.

Flip, a short video app focused on online shopping that currently ranks sixth on the Apple App Store, has apologized to users for a surge in subscribers that has slowed down or made the app inaccessible.

The failure of the tech giants?

Despite Instagram and YouTube’s efforts to develop TikTok-like features, users seem to be unsatisfied. According to data analytics firm Sensor Tower, Snapchat and YouTube downloads fell this week compared to last week, while Instagram only saw a slight 2% increase.

Many users argue that these platforms lack the “magic” that TikTok brings. For example, Instagram Reels videos cannot be paused unless the user holds their finger on the screen. Furthermore, the environment on Instagram is considered less friendly than TikTok, where users feel comfortable, natural, and easily accepted by the community.

What makes TikTok different is its superior algorithm, which recommends videos with "scary" accuracy, even if the user does not follow that account.

“TikTok’s algorithm is unmatched,” says Jake Maughan, head of marketing at advertising agency BENlabs. “Even YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels can’t compete with it. TikTok allows anyone to become famous overnight – something other platforms can’t do.”

Businesswoman Stormi Steele, owner of the cosmetics brand Canvas Beauty, is worried about losing access to TikTok Shop – where she earns between $2 million and $3.5 million a month through livestream sales.

Cao Phong (according to CNN, Forbes, Bloomberg)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nhung-ung-dung-thay-cho-tiktok-ma-nguoi-dung-dang-do-xo-den-post330790.html