As concerns mount over whether TikTok will be banned in the US, a number of iPhone users appear to be in a rush to download a “sister” app to the popular platform.
Lemon8, launched by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, has surged in popularity in the Apple App Store this week, making an unexpected visit to the top apps list.
TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, has launched a new app called Lemon8Credit: AFP Fans of the platform have described it as a cross between Instagram and PinterestCredit: Lemon8 The jump in rankings comes as TikTok faces a potential ban in the US isCredit: Getty
According to TechCrunch, the “Content Sharing Platform” was ranked 10th in the top charts of the US app store on Monday and 9th on Tuesday.
While the application has reportedly had 16 million downloads worldwide since its launch in March 2020, it has never previously made the top 200 in the US overall charts, according to the outlet.
Data.ai information obtained by TechCrunch confirmed that the dramatic increase in ratings implies that there has been a “significant” and “recent” boost in user acquisition.
The recent surge in ratings comes as TikTok has come under fire for its Chinese roots.
TikTok is currently owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance.
It’s unclear how many users in the US downloaded the new app, but at least 38% of installs happened in Japan, according to TechCrunch.
While Lemon8 shares similarities with other social media platforms, the new app appears to have three major advantages.
INSTAGRAM AND PINTEREST IN ONE
For those who love the aesthetic of Pinterest and the feed of Instagram, Lemon8 is the perfect mix.
The main For You page is organized similarly to Pinterest, with multiple posts appearing on the user’s screen at once.
After clicking on a post, the format looks similar to Instagram, with a caption and comment section.
Some posts also consist of multiple images or videos arranged in a carousel.
INFLUENCER-DRIVEN
The majority of posts viewed by The US Sun on Lemon8 appear to have been posted by social media influencers offering their best ideas for meal prep, home work routines or clothing transport.
Unlike Instagram, which is often filled with personal and friend-centric content, the posts seem more focused on earning brand awareness and followers.
For those who want to become a social media influencer, this is an advantage because your posts might not get lost in the sea of other content.
IN-APP EDITING
The biggest advantage of Lemon8 seems to be the editing function.
While platforms like Instagram and TikTok have limited options for what creators can edit or add to their posts – they offer basic text and stickers – Lemon8 takes it a step further.
The platform seems to be modeled after the Canva design platform for its editing features, with various templates and the ability to clip things out of an image.
It’s important to note that when using the crop feature, the app will ask permission to keep a copy of the image.
Editing features also include retouching, hashtags, and various stickers.
REGISTRATION
When signing up for the app, users can indicate which pronouns they prefer and what their interests are – like makeup, travel, and fashion.
After choosing a username, new users are directed to the For You page, where they are introduced to new creators and posts that match their interests.
Similar to TikTok, users can save posts and add them to a “collection”.
Once users follow multiple accounts, they can selectively view a “following” page, also like TikTok.
THE STORY OF LEMON8
The latest surge in downloads comes just weeks after Business Insider reported that Lemon8 is paying content creators to publish content on the platform.
It’s unclear if Lemon8 is still paying content creators to promote the new social media app.
However, in the past few days, several creators on TikTok have urged their followers to check out Lemon8 and create a profile.
“I want you to imagine if Instagram and Pinterest had a love child and that love child was a superpower mutant and their superpower mutant had the superpowers of the TikTok algorithm,” said a creator who goes by @zactivist is known.
“It really is the coolest thing ever,” said fashion and beauty creator @melbelles of TikTok.
In recent videos, TikTok creators have not marked their videos as sponsored.
