Lemon8 steps in as TikTok substitute, but it won’t be as easy to gain followers

TikTok could potentially be banned in the US on the eve of Trump’s inauguration. So, users and creators are searching for a new substitute platform. Bytedances Lemon8 platform might just be the answer, but will the switch be sweet, or sour?

A dark, federal-shaped cloud is lingering over TikTok, and since the social media app’s creator, Bytedance, failed to divest, the platform could potentially be banned on January 19th, 2025.

This is because TikTok supposedly threatens national security as the US federal government argues that the platform could potentially hand over TikTok users’ data to the Chinese government. Yet, evidence of this has never been released to the public.

Regardless, TikTok, a platform used by a third of US adults (roughly 100 million), and with a total of 150 million active monthly users in the country, could soon be out of order in the US.

Amid the uncertainty and possible ban, TikTokkers are searching for the next big thing – and that might just be TikTok’s sister app, Lemon8.

What is Lemon8?

Lemon8 calls itself “a lifestyle community powered by TikTok.” The app is owned by Bytedance and was launched in the United States and the United Kingdom in 2023.

It’s a mix of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. The layout is similar to Instagram and Pinterest, with perfectly curated images relating to beauty, health, fitness, and lifestyle meticulously ordered on your screen.

But it seems like a confused emulation of every other app out there, but there’s a key difference. Not every app has an incredibly addictive algorithm that keeps users coming back for more.

Lemon8’s algorithm is said to be similar to TikTok’s, meaning that it carefully recommends content based on your preferences or your ‘For You’ page, which is also a feature of Lemon8. So, it makes sense why people are making the switch.

Will Lemon8 replace TikTok?

While users and creators are already looking to Lemon8 as an easy fix to the potential TikTok ban, it might not be an easy transition.

The thing with TikTok is that it was pretty easy for creators and users to amass a wide following. However, with Lemon8, it seems that it’s pretty difficult for people to see your posts and then decide if they want to follow you.

One Lemon8 creator posted a guide on how to grow your following on the app. However, the comments under the post seem to suggest that gaining followers isn’t as easy as it was on TikTok.

One user says, “I started, but I still do not have a lot of followers.” Another user said that they didn’t want to lose their mere 800 followers on TikTok and urged the comment section to follow them.

Another person said they’re “trying to grow their content” on Lemon8. “I’ve been doing this but get very low engagement,” another user said.

Missing features

Although Lemon8 has the familiar ‘For You’ feature, users mentioned that there are some features on TikTok that aren’t available on its sister platform.

For example, TikTok Live. This is a feature that allows people to livestream themselves doing various activities or even just talking to their followers.

There’s a whole subset of creators who stream live on TikTok for hours, seeking “donations,” which are called gifts. These “creators” can allegedly make thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars on TikTok Live.

But, with the looming TikTok ban, live-streaming creators won’t be able to beg for gifts live on Lemon8 as the app doesn’t have this feature.