Lemon8 will never replace TikTok

Now that TikTok users are able to log in to the Lemon8 app using their TikTok accounts, many have expressed relief that it's now going to be easier to switch to a new app if necessary. But this may not be the simple solution you think it is.

The pending TikTok ban in the United States, which could go into effect as soon as January 2025, would make the app inaccessible to U.S. users. But even though it's now easier than ever to integrate your TikTok and Lemon8 accounts, there's still one major problem: The two separate apps are owned by the same parent company.

Both TikTok and Lemon8 are owned by ByteDance -- and this fact alone is the major reason why migrating to Lemon8 while staring down a potential TikTok ban probably won't be feasible in the end. The reason for the ban isn't TikTok itself; it's ByteDance. Theoretically, if one of these apps gets banned due to their ownership, the other will as well.

How to prepare for a TikTok shutdown

So while it's fine to experiment with Lemon8 as a content creator and figure out how you can incorporate it into your creative endeavors, you shouldn't completely lean on it as a TikTok replacement. But there are some things you can do to prepare for a potential ban if you reside in the United States.

• Utilize other video platforms. Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube all have short-form video uploading capabilities that are quite similar to TikTok. Get into the habit now of reposting TikTok content to other platforms if you haven't already, or experiment with different types of video content to see what works best for you on other apps.
• Experiment with other content types. Video is great, but it's not the only way to capture an online audience and build a community. Photos, audio, and even blogs and articles (exhibit A) are still popular content formats. Who knows? You might find a mix of content types even works in your favor.
• Make it easy for your viewers to find you elsewhere. Plug your other accounts, and do it often. You're not being annoying; you're marketing yourself. If the ban does go into effect, and people don't know where else to find you, you may end up losing them forever.

We don't know for sure what's going to happen in the next few months. But it's never too early to be prepared for anything.