President Donald Trump. JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
A few days ago, multiple media outlets confirmed that the U.S. was looking into banning the popular app, TikTok. TikTok has had over 2 billion downloads since 2019, and currently has over 800 million active users. The app has been a huge form of entertainment for many people, throughout COVID-19. It is also a main source of income for many influencers, such as: Charli D’Amelio, Bryce Hall, Tayler Holder, Avani Gregg, Addison Rae, and more.
TikTok started off as a “dancing” app, but transitioned into informative platforms for many creators. It also allowed for minority creators to reach a more diverse audience, since the “for you page” is always changing into different types of content.
Many creators have already been posting about the possible ban, with popular creator, Michael Le (@justmaiko), starting a hashtag to save TikTok. Maiko posted a TikTok on Wednesday, in which he admits that not only does he enjoy making TikToks, but the revenue that he acquires from TikTok brand deals/partnerships, are what is currently supporting his family. He goes on to state that many creators will be personally affected by the app’s ban, and pleads for his followers to trend the hashtag, “#saveTikTok”.
Taylor Holder, Kelianne Stankus, Nick and Sienna, The D’Amelio Family, T-wayne, Hannah Stocking, and more creators have joined in with the hashtag, and are supporting the “#saveTikTok” movement.
Although the ban is not yet an official declaration, TikTok creators have to start thinking of different ways to shift their followers (and partnerships with brands) to a new platform.
When the infamous app, Vine, got shut down in 2017, creators had to find a new way to maintain their following. So, social media influencers, such as Gabbie Hanna, Jake Paul, Cameron Dallas, King Bach, David Dobrik, and more started their own YouTube channels.
Similarly to Vine, TikTok is a short-form app — meaning that there is a time limit as to how long a video can be. While Vine was 6 seconds long, TikTok videos can be up to one minute in length. YouTube, however, contains no time restrictions. Therefore, if the TikTok ban occurs, creators may end up shifting their content onto YouTube.
Josh Richards, Bryce Hall, Charli D’Amelio, Thomas Petrou, Chase Hudson, Tayler Holder, and more have been consistently growing their YouTube platforms. However, those creators who do not yet possess a YouTube account (or do not wish to be on YouTube) still have the option of posting their content onto Instagram. For example, Brent Rivera was best known for his comedic skits on Vine. However, when Vine died, Rivera not only shifted his content to YouTube, but he also posted comedy skits onto his Instagram profile, and he currently has over 19 million followers on Instagram.
Social media is always growing, changing, and rebranding. Brand deals are appearing primarily on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Some companies have even worked with influencers through Snapchat story posts.
TikTok may be banned in the near future, but creators still have time to promote other forms of social media, and post through there.
- Entertainment News Writer: Monica R.
