The Tiktok ban is not just a rumor anymore. The U.S. government plans to ban TikTok starting January 19, 2025. The congressional hearings are done, a federal judge confirmed the law’s constitutionality, and unless something changes, it’s going to happen.
I’m not here to get into the politics of it. That’s not the point. What matters is how you, as a creator, can adapt and benefit if TikTok does get banned. Whether you’re a musician, a content creator, or both, this is going to affect you. At Twisby Records, we focus on helping artists, but content creation is part of that scope now. So this should help you no matter what kind of creative work you do.
If you’re not using TikTok yet (and honestly, you should be) there’s still time to leverage it. But more importantly, there are other platforms you can turn to if TikTok goes away. With 150 million TikTok users in the U.S., people are going to look for similar experiences elsewhere. The key question is, where will they go, and how can you prepare for that shift?
There will be a massive power vacuum set once tiktok does finally go. Large creators will not have a stranglehold on these platforms, and it will be easier to push your content out until they do, so lets take a look at what platforms they may move to.
Lemon8
If you’re a creator who loves visual content, Lemon8 is a platform worth getting familiar with. Owned by ByteDance, the same company that owns TikTok, Lemon8 combines elements of Instagram and Pinterest. It focuses on photo and video content related to lifestyle topics like fashion, beauty, travel, and home decor.
What makes Lemon8 especially interesting is that it integrates directly with TikTok. You can cross-share photo content between both apps, making it easier to maintain your brand and content strategy. If TikTok disappears, Lemon8 could be a natural next step, offering a similar audience engagement style. The algorithm feels familiar, the content format is similar, and you won’t have to reinvent the wheel to keep your audience engaged.
However, since ByteDance owns both TikTok and Lemon8, there’s a chance that Lemon8 could end up under the same scrutiny. Regulators might not stop with TikTok. That said, it’s still a smart move to start building your audience on Lemon8 now. If TikTok goes down, you’ll already have a presence on a platform that your audience can migrate to quickly.
Start by reposting some of your existing TikTok content on Lemon8. Keep the themes and style consistent with what you’re known for. Explore the community, see what kind of content does well, and start engaging with potential followers. Having a head start now could mean the difference between maintaining your momentum and having to start from scratch.
Bluesky
If you want more control over your content and are wary of centralized platforms, Bluesky is a promising option. Bluesky is a decentralized social network developed by Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter. Instead of a single platform controlled by one company, Bluesky operates on a federated model. You can join different servers (called “instances”) while still interacting with users across the entire network.
This decentralized approach reduces some of the risks associated with platforms like TikTok. There’s less chance of censorship, sudden algorithm changes, or a single entity deciding to shut everything down. For creators, this means more security and stability in the long run.
Bluesky is still in its early stages and currently invite-only, but it’s growing steadily. It offers a Twitter-like experience with the added benefit of data portability and customizable moderation tools. If TikTok does get banned, having a presence on Bluesky could help you maintain your audience without worrying about another platform pulling the rug out from under you.
Start by getting familiar with how Bluesky works. Follow creators in your niche, learn the ins and outs of the platform, and stay updated on new features and changes. Building a presence on Bluesky now is a good way to future-proof your content and community engagement.
Meta Platforms (Instagram and Facebook)
I know, I know. Meta isn’t exactly a crowd favorite right now. They’ve stopped paying creators, and recent reports revealed they funded a multi-million dollar campaign to undermine TikTok. A lot of people are furious and talking about deleting their accounts. But let’s be real, a lot of users are going to fall back on Facebook and Instagram if TikTok gets banned.
So as much as you might dislike Meta’s platforms, it’s smart to have a presence there. If your audience migrates to Facebook and Instagram, you want to be ready for them. Here’s how to make the most of these platforms:
First, start posting your TikTok content to Instagram Reels and Facebook Reels. Remove the TikTok watermark using a tool like SnapTik. Post three to five videos per day, and use three to five hashtags per video. Write longer captions to give context and engage your audience.
Meta’s platforms have a pay-to-play structure now. If you buy the blue checkmark, your content gets pushed out more often. It’s frustrating, but if you want to maintain your reach, it might be worth considering. The reality is that when there’s a monopoly, you don’t have a lot of choices. Creators should be paid, not paying, but for now, this is the game we have to play.
You also need to start posting more stories. Instagram recommends posting 20 stories a day. Yeah, it’s ridiculous, and I hate it too, but that’s what the algorithm wants. More stories mean more visibility, so it’s worth doing if you want to stay relevant.
YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts are often overlooked, but they’re a solid opportunity, especially if TikTok gets banned. A lot of people still see YouTube as a long-form content platform, which means there’s less competition for Shorts compared to TikTok or Reels.
YouTube Shorts have a built-in audience, and if you start posting now, you could carve out a nice niche for yourself. The rules are similar to Instagram: no TikTok watermark, post regularly, and spread your uploads out over a few days. Shorts can help drive traffic to your long-form YouTube content, like music videos or vlogs. Just remember that getting views and subscribers on Shorts doesn’t automatically translate to success on long-form content, so be strategic about how you use them.
Clapper
Clapper currently has around two million users. It’s similar to TikTok but with lower video quality. Despite what some news outlets claim, it’s not an alt-right platform. It’s just another short-form video app that hasn’t gotten mainstream attention yet.
Big creators are already talking about moving to Clapper if TikTok gets banned. You should do the same. Start building your audience now. If an exodus happens, being one of the first established creators on Clapper could give you a massive boost. The algorithm is still young, so it’s a great time to start experimenting with content and finding what works.
MySpace
Yes, MySpace might actually be making a comeback. If you’re an elder millennial like me, this is exciting news. MySpace was the customizable, music-friendly, cooler older brother of Facebook. It died out for reasons no one really understands, but with the TikTok drama, people are talking about reviving it.
And sure you may be thinking “Nobody is on myspace!?! Why would I go back?!”. Well ….. they’ve kept the lights on for the last 21 years, so obviously SOMEONE is there paying the bills, and when it comes to content strategy, a wider net catches more fish. (Why do you think we write blog posts?).
There’s no data yet on how to succeed on MySpace, but it doesn’t hurt to set up an account. Upload your music or content and be ready in case people actually migrate back. If MySpace makes a real comeback, being there early could give you an edge.
This situation is evolving, and things could change quickly. For now, keep posting to TikTok like nothing is wrong, but start building your presence on other platforms. Update your Linktree with all your new profiles and let your followers know where they can find you.
Diversify your platforms, stay adaptable, and keep an eye on what’s happening. I’ll keep this post updated as new information and strategies emerge. Bookmark this page and check back regularly. Your audience is counting on you to stay ahead of the curve — and we’re here to help you do that.
Now it should be said, no amount of content creation will help you if your music sounds bad. Thats where we step in.
