What is Lemon8? App skyrockets in popularity as TikTok ban looms

In light of the possible prohibition of TikTok in the U.S., another app from ByteDance, Lemon8, has gained traction and is growing in popularity to potentially fill TikTok’s void. However, internet users should be cautious as Lemon8 may also face a ban.

TikTok is a globally recognized social media giant, however, its continuance in the United States remains questionable.

By the spring of 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden has enacted legislation that gives ByteDance, the Chinese owners of TikTok, a nine-month deadline to offload their shares of the app. If they fail to do so, they face potential prohibition in the United States.

ByteDance has taken no action to comply with Biden’s bill, and is ready to close down its website before the deadline on January 19, 2025, at which point the app will be removed from both Google Play and Apple’s app marketplaces.

With the approaching date, alternatives to TikTok are gaining traction – such as Lemon8, another app from ByteDance.

Lemon8 goes viral as TikTok ban looms in US

Often called the “sibling app” of TikTok, Lemon8 provides a variety of short videos much like its forerunner, earning descriptions as a blend of Instagram and Pinterest in essence.

As a devoted fan, I must say that Lemon8 is relatively new compared to TikTok, making its debut stateside in the year 2023. In its early stages, it attracted quite a crowd, but now, it has climbed the ranks to be one of the top free apps on Apple’s App Store, as of January 13, 2025.

Although some developers are promoting the app as a potential substitute for TikTok, it’s important to note that this isn’t a definitive solution; Biden’s legislation encompasses any other apps owned by ByteDance, and Lemon8 falls under this category.

As we get closer to January 19th, it’s not just Lemon8 that’s creating a buzz as an alternative to TikTok. In fact, Rednote, often referred to as China’s equivalent of Instagram, is rapidly gaining popularity too! On the Apple App Store, it has already taken the top spot as the most downloaded app since January 13th. And guess what? That’s me – I’ve been one of its enthusiastic new users!

The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, but one thing is certain – users are actively seeking alternatives should the app face issues.

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2025-01-14 16:39