TikTok is Discontinuing its Instagram Rival, TikTok Notes

TikTok is shutting down its Instagram-like app, TikTok Notes, on May 8. The photo-sharing platform, which was launched for testing last year in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam, is being discontinued.

Users of TikTok Notes are being informed of the decision and redirected to ByteDance-owned Lemon8, a move that makes sense given the similarities between the two apps.

Enhancing Lemon8 with Insights from TikTok Notes

“We’re excited to bring the feedback from TikTok Notes to Lemon8 as we continue building a dedicated space for our community to share and experience photo content, designed to complement and enhance the TikTok experience,” a TikTok spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Although TikTok hasn’t given a specific reason for shutting down the app, it’s likely due to low adoption. Instead, the company appears to be shifting its focus to Lemon8, which had approximately 12.5 million global monthly active users as of December 2024.

In a message to TikTok Notes users, TikTok stated that the decision to shut down the app “was not made lightly.” The notice advises users to download and save their TikTok Notes data while encouraging them to “continue sharing your creativity on Lemon8.” TikTok describes Lemon8 as a lifestyle app that provides a similar experience to TikTok Notes but with “even more features.”

Lemon8’s Launch and Features

Lemon8 debuted in Japan in 2020 before expanding to the U.S. and Southeast Asian markets. The app combines elements of Instagram and Pinterest, allowing users to create slideshows, share photo collections, and explore content through “Following” and “For You” feeds. It also includes creative tools such as filters, effects, stickers, and text templates.

Although TikTok is promoting Lemon8 as a replacement for TikTok Notes, ByteDance has also positioned the app as a potential alternative to TikTok itself amid the threat of a U.S. ban.

In November, the company enabled users to log into Lemon8 using their TikTok accounts and introduced a feature allowing cross-sharing of photo content between the two apps. This strategy was seen as a way for ByteDance to seamlessly transition creators to the new platform without requiring them to sign up separately, providing an alternative in case TikTok were to be banned.

Now, with an April 5 ban deadline approaching, TikTok is continuing to promote Lemon8 within its app.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

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