ByteDance’s Lemon8 gains traction amid TikTok ban threat as creators push the app
Hearing a lot about Lemon8 lately? You’re not alone.
As a potential U.S. ban on TikTok looms, content creators have begun turning to Lemon8, a sister app that combines TikTok's short-form videos with the curated aesthetic of Instagram and Pinterest.
Owned by ByteDance, the China-based company behind TikTok, Lemon8 joins ByteDance’s portfolio alongside other apps like the video editor CapCut and the photo-editing app Hypic. ByteDance also operates Douyin, TikTok’s counterpart in China, which adheres to Beijing’s strict censorship rules.
Lemon8 debuted in the U.S. in 2023, following an earlier launch in Asian markets. While it attracted some initial attention, its popularity hasn’t come close to rivaling TikTok, which boasts over 170 million U.S. users. However, recent downloads have surged, propelling Lemon8 into the top ranks of Apple’s free apps. Its future growth may depend on the outcome of a U.S. Supreme Court hearing regarding a law that requires TikTok to sever ties with ByteDance or face a U.S. ban.
TikTok has stated it will shut down its U.S. platform by January 19 if the government succeeds in enforcing the ban, upheld by a lower court ruling.
What are creators saying about Lemon8?
Influencers previously partnered with Lemon8 to promote the app on TikTok, and in recent weeks, many have highlighted it as an alternative platform if TikTok is banned. Sponsored posts tagged #lemon8partner suggest a coordinated effort to increase awareness and user engagement.
However, there’s a catch. The law targeting TikTok also applies broadly to other apps owned by ByteDance, such as Lemon8 and CapCut, even though they aren’t explicitly named in the statute. This means Lemon8’s future in the U.S. could also be at risk.
Jasmine Enberg, an analyst at market research firm Emarketer, pointed out that creators recommending Lemon8 may be unaware of these implications. Enberg also suggested that ByteDance may be hoping Lemon8 avoids scrutiny while lawmakers focus on TikTok.
Lemon8’s Features and Growth
To grow its user base, TikTok announced in November that creators could link their TikTok accounts with Lemon8, allowing for seamless cross-posting and enhanced engagement.
Similar to TikTok, Lemon8 features a “For You” feed with recommended posts and a “Following” feed for content from followed creators. The app also categorizes posts into topics like relationships, wellness, and skincare.
While ByteDance hasn’t disclosed Lemon8’s user numbers, data from research firm SimilarWeb estimates around 1 million daily active users in the U.S. As of December 24, market intelligence company Sensor Tower reported Lemon8 had 12.5 million global monthly active users.
December marked a significant rise in downloads for Lemon8, with a 150% global increase compared to an average 2% monthly decline last year. The U.S. accounted for 70% of those downloads, with the largest spike occurring on December 19, the day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments on the TikTok ban.
The Broader Context
The law threatening TikTok’s U.S. operations, passed with bipartisan support, stems from concerns that ByteDance could be compelled by Chinese authorities to share U.S. user data or manipulate its algorithm to favor Beijing’s interests.
In an effort to delay the ban, President-elect Donald Trump petitioned the Supreme Court on December 27 to pause the law’s implementation until his administration can negotiate a “political resolution” to the issue.
Lemon8’s growing presence reflects both the shifting social media landscape and the uncertainty surrounding ByteDance’s apps in the U.S. Whether it becomes a mainstay or faces similar challenges as TikTok remains to be seen.
Post a Comment