What is Lemon8, the new app from the creators of TikTok that is gaining popularity in the US?
The makers of TikTok have been pushing a new social media app called Lemon8 in the United States as their flagship application faces a possible US ban.
ByteDance, the Chinese company behind the creation of TikTok, has been pushing a new social media platform called Lemon8 in the United States. The lifestyle app is described as a combination of Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest.
The tech giant reached out to social media influencers in the US last month as the app was rolling out in the country, to invite them to become launching creators.
Lemon8: Finding its way to the US after three years
Lemon8 was first launched in Japan in 2020, but was only officially introduced into the US market in recent months. The app, which focuses on lifestyle, healthy food, and beauty has been quickly increasing in popularity in the country, and is now one of the most downloaded lifestyle apps, second only to Pinterest. It has been downloaded 17 million times all over the world, according to Axios.com.
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Lemon: a lifestyle app for Gen Z
The mobile app caters to a Gen Z audience, and features TikTok-like videos and Instagram-like photos with Pinterest-like content.
The recommendation algorithms used by Lemon8 are similar to those used by sister app TikTok-algorithms which propelled it to immense global success. The short-video application is highly popular in the US, racking up 150 million users.
The new app’s surging popularity comes as US lawmakers debate what action to take on TikTok amid growing national security concerns. With the possibility of a ban in such a huge market, the emergence of Lemon8 could be a way for ByteDance to avoid being totally shut out of the US and provide an alternative platform for its creators.