As a ban on TikTok approaches reality in the U.S., it may be time to start thinking about other platforms being early adopters in case they end up filling the popular app's void at some point in the future. unknown.
President Biden on Wednesday signed legislation that would ban TikTok if its Chinese parent company ByteDance fails to sell the app within a year, moving the possibility of a TikTok ban closer than ever. However, given the one-year timeline, TikTok won't disappear anytime soon. Especially since the company has vowed to fight the bill in court.
Since transferring the app's algorithm requires approval from the Chinese government, China is also expected to block its sale. And if ByteDance does indeed sell TikTok, it likely won't have the app's algorithms built in, and if TikTok manages to avoid a ban, it won't be the same app that millions of Americans are used to. means that it may look different.
Considering all these scenarios, it's never too early to start considering other platforms. 1:1 While there is no substitute for TikTok, there are some viable options to consider that offer a similar experience. Many companies have been building his TikTok clones within their products over the past few years, and some are worth considering.
instagram reel
Image credit: Meta
Instagram's Reels product is probably the most popular TikTok clone, and for good reason. Many of the videos are the same, as the creator often shares the same content on his Instagram Reels that he posts on her TikTok. Additionally, many of the sounds and topics that are trending on TikTok end up on Instagram Reels. Instagram Reels could be a great alternative to his TikTok since much of the content is the same.
However, given that TikTok's algorithm is nearly unmatched, Instagram Reels may not be able to display videos of interest to the same level as TikTok. However, Instagram is enhancing its Reels recommendation algorithm, so you can probably expect it to improve over time.
If you're someone who uses TikTok as a kind of search engine to find places to explore or eat around you, your feed has a Nearby tab that displays content related to your geographic location. Therefore, Reels may be the best alternative.
If the TikTok ban becomes a reality, Instagram Reels will likely become the most popular destination for short-form video content, as it already makes up a large part of the social media landscape. I have not done that yet.
YouTube short
Image credit: YouTube
YouTube is another platform that is building products like TikTok. For those looking to discover new music on TikTok, YouTube Shorts may be the best alternative to TikTok, as it gives you access to YouTube's vast library of songs and music videos. This is something TikTok is no longer available due to a dispute with TikTok. Partnered with Universal Music Group.
YouTube Shorts also has some advantages over other services on this list. It's integration with popular long-form video content platforms. Millions of people around the world already visit YouTube every day to watch content, so if TikTok is banned, especially if the popular TikTok creator chooses YouTube, YouTube will have to It can become your go-to place for content. As your new home for content.
Unfortunately, content on YouTube Shorts is often not as engaging as platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, as it may include content reposted from longer YouTube videos. However, you can still search for the content you want to watch and find videos based on hashtags or keywords.
Snapchat Spotlight
Image credit: Snapchat
Snapchat's Spotlight feed is also a good alternative to TikTok if you're looking for short and interesting content. Unlike TikTok or Instagram Reels, Spotlight typically only shows videos that are interesting and entertaining. You probably won't find any political or news content in your feed, but this could be a selling point for some users.
Spotlight has a trending section where you can watch popular videos based on different topics and trending songs. Similar to Reels on TikTok and Instagram, you can search for content based on keywords and hashtags.
But one of Snapchat Spotlight's biggest drawbacks is that it struggles to get beyond younger users. Considering that adults are more likely to use platforms like his TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight's content may not be as appealing as it is primarily aimed at a younger audience.
Unfortunately, the comments section on Spotlight videos isn't as great as platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels, and the top comments can sometimes be funnier than the video itself.
fan base
Image credit: Fanbase
Fanbase is basically a subscription-based social network that combines TikTok, Instagram, Patreon, Clubhouse, and Snapchat. The app features short videos, images, long videos, stories, live streams, and audio rooms. The app is free to use, but you can access exclusive content by paying a subscription.
What makes Fanbase a possible alternative to TikTok is the app's “Flickz” feed. Similar to TikTok, Flickz includes a discovery feed and a feed dedicated to content from creators you follow. At Fanbase, you can find all kinds of content, including videos about sports, cooking, music, humor, and more.
The app was founded with a mission to recognize and platform Black creators, whose content is often appropriated or underrepresented on traditional social media platforms. Fanbase is an ad-free platform that is committed to not shadowbanning or suppressing your content.
Jigazoo
Image credit: Jigazoo
Zigazoo is a relatively new short-form video platform aimed at younger users and could be a great alternative to TikTok for kids and teens. The app features upbeat and playful videos and is considered a safer alternative to TikTok due to its lack of commenting features and strict moderation policies.
The app allows users to view and create short videos based on assignments and educational prompts. Zigazoo also features his fun dance videos, one of the most popular content categories on TikTok. Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, this app includes a variety of effects, sounds, and filters for your videos.
The platform is poised for success, having raised a total of $20 million from notable investors including Jimmy Kimmel, Serena Williams, TikTok stars Charli and Dixie D'Amelio, and the NBA.
While the app is not a replacement for TikTok for adults, it is a good alternative for younger users, especially those whose parents are concerned about TikTok's potential harm to children and teens.
London, UK – July 31, 2018: Button for the app Reddit surrounded by Pinterest, Whatsapp and other apps on an iPhone screen.
Reddit may not be the first platform that comes to mind when considering alternatives to TikTok, but the app's video feed is worth checking out, especially if you're already a heavy user of the app. . The platform offers a video feed featuring popular short-form content that you can swipe through. There's also a comments section, which you can access by swiping up.
Please note that the content in your feed will differ slightly from the videos you see on TikTok. While TikTok often shows content directly from the creator, Reddit's video feed often shows reposted viral videos that people are discussing.
If you're someone who comes to TikTok primarily for viral and funny videos, Reddit's video feed might be a good place to get your short-form video fix.
Image credit: Nikolas Kokovlis / NurPhoto / Getty Images
You may be wondering why LinkedIn is on this list, but hear us out. TechCrunch reported last month that LinkedIn was testing a new TikTok-like video feed within the app. The feed includes content about news events, politics, career growth, office humor, professionalism, and more. If your TikTok “For You” feed often contains content like this, his TikTok clone on LinkedIn may be a viable alternative.
Since this feed is still fairly new, LinkedIn has the potential to build a viable TikTok alternative for adults. There's already been talk of how LinkedIn was able to compete with X (in the wake of the turmoil following the Musk acquisition), and it's possible that LinkedIn could compete with TikTok as well. We'll just have to wait and see.
vine
Image credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto / Getty Images
Before you get too excited, no, Vine isn't coming back.
But X owner Elon Musk has been teasing Vine's return ever since he acquired the social network formerly known as Twitter.One day, Elon asked his followers If only he could bring Vine back. In another example, he “Very good,” I replied. Tweet calling for the return of Vine.
Recap: Vine was extremely popular in the early to mid-2010s, but was shut down in 2017 after Twitter acquired Vine. The move was quite controversial, and since then, many popular Vine creators have migrated to his TikTok and YouTube.
If TikTok were to be banned, it would make sense for Musk and Company X to bring back Vine and capitalize on TikTok's losses. Given Vine's huge contribution to the emergence of short-form videos, the app could make a big comeback.
Of course, there's the question of whether the app will honor the original 7-second limit. It's been years since Vine popularized the short-form video format, and people's appetite for content has grown beyond his seven seconds, with the ability to post longer videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels. Regardless of what the reboot looks like, I think it's safe to say that people will be interested, especially if TikTok is no longer a player in the short video market.