ByteDance pushes lifestyle app "Lemon8" in the US after TikTok is banned

On April 24, 2566, CNBC reported that Chinese technology giant ByteDance Another social media app is pushing its way into the United States, while short-video app TikTok faces a government ban.

Analysts told CNBC that while this may be part of the business strategy for ByteDance, a new product to replace TikTok isn't the best solution either.

Lindsay Gorman, senior fellow for emerging technologies at the German Marshall Fund, said: “It's an interesting time, it seems like ByteDance is pushing Lemon8 as a possible alternative to TikTok.”

In March, ByteDance invited creators to its new Lemon8 platform ahead of its official launch in the United States. It cited the success of its subsidiary, TikTok.

Lemon8, a combination of Instagram and Pinterest, first launched in Japan in early 2563 as a lifestyle app focused on health. well-being and beauty, which has quickly climbed the ranks in the United States

According to analytics firm data.ai, Lemon8 jumped 693 spots to become the second most downloaded lifestyle app in the United States over the past 2 days, with Lemon30 cumulatively downloaded 8 million times. worldwide since launch, according to Apptopia.

Glenn Gerstell, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said: “Some of the algorithms used in Lemon8 are similar or identical to TikTok's recommendation algorithms, which will certainly give both apps a boost. Great popularity Because enter what you want to see and so on.”

Lemon8's rise in popularity comes as US lawmakers consider TikTok's parent company ByteDance to sell its stake in the popular short-video app. Which is under strict scrutiny?

In March, US lawmakers asked TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew in Congress for answers about TikTok's ability to operate without China's influence on its parent company. The congressional inquiry did little to assuage lawmakers' concerns.

Analysts such as Gorman said Lemon8's aggressive promotion could be viewed as competition. As it attempts to expand into different consumer markets and segments with visual content and longer formats. As opposed to only short formats.

But Lemon8's links with ByteDance and TikTok will also fly under the radar of U.S. regulators. Especially as the app continues to grow in popularity.

Reference: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/25/bytedance-pushes-lemon8-app-in-the-us-as-tiktok-faces-a-ban.html