With the potential for a TikTok ban looming just around the corner, numerous users in the United States are actively seeking alternative social media platforms that will allow them to stay engaged with pop culture and access the entertaining video content that made TikTok so popular.
A unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court last Friday upheld a federal law that would prohibit TikTok starting on January 19 unless its parent company, ByteDance, based in China, sells the app. This development arrives amid heightened political tensions, with President-elect Donald Trump publicly promising to preserve the platform, while the Biden administration indicated it would not enforce the law on the final day of his presidency.
Currently, TikTok enjoys a user base of over 170 million in the United States. In the event of a ban, it remains uncertain which competing platforms would register the most significant influx of users. Experts speculate that established social media giants like Instagram and YouTube might experience substantial growth, but some displaced users are on the lookout for more niche alternatives.
Among the choices available, Xiaohongshu, or “RedNote,” has emerged as an appealing option for some ex-TikTok users protesting against the possible ban. This Chinese social media application, whose name translates to “Little Red Book,” mirrors TikTok’s model by blending e-commerce with short-form video content. It has garnered widespread popularity, especially within regions that have a Chinese diaspora, such as Malaysia and Taiwan, boasting about 300 million monthly active users. Young women primarily use the app for discovering product recommendations and makeup tutorials. As of Tuesday, “RedNote” was the most downloaded free app in the U.S. Apple app store.
Another contender is Lemon8, also owned by ByteDance. This lesser-known lifestyle platform allows users to share pictures and short videos, with a style often compared to a blend of Instagram and Pinterest. Creators have been increasingly endorsing Lemon8 as a viable alternative to TikTok, partly through sponsored posts, showcasing a corporate initiative to boost its popularity. Yet, like Xiaohongshu, Lemon8’s survival in the U.S. could be threatened by the same legislation targeting TikTok, as it could also impact any apps owned by ByteDance.
Meta’s Instagram has ventured into this space with its Reels feature, which allows users to create and watch short videos. Since its launch in 2020, Reels has proven to be a hit among users, and experts predict that many creators could transition there if TikTok ceases to operate. Instagram currently boasts around 2 billion users, although Meta no longer specifies the number of users for individual features. However, it remains to be seen whether Instagram can fully capture the TikTok audience, particularly given that younger users may be less inclined to adopt a platform associated with their parents’ generation.
Despite TikTok’s prominence in social media discussions, data from Pew Research Center shows that YouTube reigns as the most frequented platform among teenagers and adults. YouTube’s Shorts feature allows for quick consumption of bite-sized videos, similar to TikTok, and many popular clips on the platform are sourced from TikTok creators. However, YouTube is often recognized for longer content, which might limit its appeal for users seeking the variety offered by TikTok.
Snapchat, famous for its ephemeral video content, remains a beloved choice among younger demographics. Since its launch in 2011, Snapchat has introduced features that blend its appeal with similar offerings from Meta, such as Instagram Stories. The platform had an estimated 692 million monthly active users globally last year, ensuring its continued relevance in the social media landscape.
Similarly, Twitch might attract users who appreciate TikTok’s Live feature. As a frontrunner in the streaming domain, Twitch allows viewers to watch popular streamers and boasts an impressive 105 million monthly visitors.
For those familiar with TikTok’s format, Clapper is a TikTok clone that is gaining traction as an alternative. Launched in 2020 with a focus on Gen X and millennial users, the app has shifted away from its initial “free speech” branding to cultivate a sense of community instead.
Additionally, there are lesser-known apps like Triller, known for its music-based content, and Zigazoo, which targets a younger audience. Users who find these options unappealing may also benefit from new platforms that could emerge as companies rush to capture the attention of former TikTok enthusiasts in the coming months.
