A Chinese social media app climbs to the top of the app store rankings in anticipation of a potential TikTok ban.

In just days, TikTok could potentially be banned across the United States, leaving millions without the ability to scroll their way through through their day.

If the Supreme Court doesn't block the federal law that forces the platform to cut ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance, TikTok will stop its distribution in the US on January 19. 

The choice to prohibit the app stems from allegations that it infringes upon the free speech rights of its millions of users across the United States. 

Should ByteDance choose not to sell the platform to a party that is not considered a 'foreign adversary,' American internet services will face legal restrictions that prevent them from supporting or distributing it.

Contrary to popular belief, although TikTok has called the measure a 'total ban,' the app will not magically vanish off users phones if it already exists on their home page, as reported by People.

Existing users might still have the opportunity to reach its content beyond January 19, although their experience would be significantly compromised. 

The application would be unable to receive updates, including essential security patches and bug fixes, leading to a decline in quality and an increasingly challenging user experience until it ultimately becomes entirely unusable.

With the potential TikTok ban on the horizon, what alternative platforms can you explore to pass the time?

As of Monday, a rival Chinese social media platform surged to the number one spot on the Apple App Store.

RedNote, referred to as Xiaohongshu in China, meaning 'little red book' in Mandarin, has become the top free app in terms of downloads. 

It shares numerous features with TikTok, including brief video content and shopping functionalities. 

However, many users have said it more closely resembles Instagram and Pintrest, with users posting reviews, experiences, and lifestyle content.

During the pandemic, RedNote saw explosive growth among younger Chinese users - particularly women - who now make up 79 percent of its 300 million active monthly users, according to New York Post.

Its boom in popularity has also attracted investors with Bloomberg suggesting that in 2024, it was reportedly valued at $17 billion following a secondary share sale with its profits projected to exceed $1 billion.

Here are some alternative platforms to TikTok: 1. **Instagram Reels** - A feature within Instagram that allows users to create and share short videos with music and effects. 2. **YouTube Shorts** - A short-form video feature on YouTube that enables users to create and watch videos up to 60 seconds long. 3. **Snapchat Spotlight** - A section of Snapchat dedicated to user-generated short videos, offering a creative space for sharing content. 4. **Triller** - A social media platform focused on music and video creation, allowing users to edit and share short clips. 5. **Dubsmash** - An app that lets users lip-sync to popular sounds and create fun videos to share with friends. 6. **Clash** - A video-sharing app developed by former Vine star Dom Hofmann, focusing on creative short-form content. 7. **Byte** - Created by one of the co-founders of Vine, Byte allows users to share 6-second looping videos. 8. **Firework** - A platform for short videos that emphasizes storytelling and allows creators to monetize their content. These platforms offer various features and communities for users looking for alternatives to TikTok.

Lemon8 

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, introduced Lemon8 in Japan in 2020. This platform combines elements of both Instagram and Pinterest.

Since its initial launch, it has been gradually introduced across the globe, making its way to the US in February 2023. 

Similar to Instagram, it gives users an opportunity to post a mix of photos and videos as well as allowing content creators to write captions, comments, hashtags, likes, save media, and add location information.

Nonetheless, there is a possibility that Lemon8 may face a ban in the United States as it is under the same parent company. 

"Josh Constine from the venture capital firm SignalFire mentioned to CNN that even if the US decides to ban TikTok, Bytedance, its parent company, is already transitioning users to a rival app called Lemon8, which is quite similar and also owned by them." 

He further stated, "Therefore, the issue wouldn't be resolved unless we essentially prohibit all applications developed by ByteDance."

Triller

Triller is a social media application based in the United States. Similar to TikTok, it enables users to produce and share brief videos, such as music clips and vlogs.

Nonetheless, it primarily functions as a music-centric application since it enables the use of complete songs.

The interface features three tabs - following, music, and social - designed in a manner reminiscent of TikTok's well-known For You page.

Clapper

Clapper is a social media platform that shares similarities with TikTok, featuring a comparable layout and user experience.

Users can upload videos that are a maximum of three minutes in length and can livestream to an audience of up to 2,000 viewers. 

The application creates a personalized feed tailored to a user's interests, as indicated during the sign-up process, featuring an interface reminiscent of TikTok.

Neptune

Another form of social media called Neptune, which is a female-owned sharing app, has also been flagged as a possible replacement to TikTok. 

The website describes it as a "daring reinterpretation of social media," emphasizing that content visibility is determined by its "quality and influence."

"We're creating an environment where creators take the lead," it states. "Our platform aims to empower you to define your own creative path, featuring personalized content streams and invisible metrics that allow your artwork to shine on its own."

As per Her Campus, the app is also promises monetization, which is good news for content creators.

Regrettably, the Neptune app is still in its beta stage and can only be accessed by users who are members of their Discord community.