Where have many TikTok users gone in the last few days? With TikTok possibly facing a ban after January 19, many “TikTok refugees” are flocking to Lemon8 — another app by ByteDance.
So, what is Lemon8? Is it better than TikTok? How can you use Lemon8 safely? This blog has everything you want to know!
Table of Contents
Is TikTok Getting Banned? TikTok Ban Update
On January 10, after 2.5 hours of oral arguments, the US Supreme Court appeared more likely to uphold the TikTok ban. The justices seemed to believe that TikTok’s risks to national security outweigh the impact on Americans’ free speech.
Most US media predict that TikTok is likely to lose its case in the Supreme Court. This means TikTok could face removal from app stores, which is why Lemon8 has been getting so much attention lately.
If the ruling is upheld, the TikTok ban will take effect on January 19. Then, TikTok will be removed from US app stores, preventing new users from downloading it. Existing users will still be able to use the app, but its functionality will gradually decline without updates or technical support.
As the potential TikTok ban draws closer, many users and content creators are already looking for alternative platforms. ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has introduced Lemon8 as an alternative.
>> Related Article: How to Use TikTok After TikTok Ban in the US?
What is Lemon8?
In recent days, TikTok users have been downloading Lemon8 in large numbers. As of today, Lemon8 has reached #2 in the Apple App Store. So, what is Lemon8?
Like TikTok, Lemon8 is owned by China’s ByteDance. It’s an app that combines video and photo-sharing features, primarily targeting young adults aged 18-35. The platform focuses on lifestyle content, including fashion, beauty, food, travel, and wellness. You can think of Lemon8 as a combination of Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. Here are the key features of Lemon8:
1. Content Display
- Supports posting photos and short videos.
- Topic-Based Organization: Content is organized through hashtags, allowing users to categorize their posts and browse topics they are interested in.
- Smart Algorithm Recommendations: Lemon8 uses smart algorithms to recommend high-quality content that users might like, continually optimizing the suggestions based on browsing, likes, and interactions.
2. Social Features
- Follow and Recommendations: Users can follow their favorite creators, and view suggested content on the “For You” page. The platform also allows users to discover content through trending topics and hashtags.
- Community Interaction: Lemon8 encourages users to engage with hashtags and provides trending topic suggestions to promote user interaction and community building.
3. User Experience
- Clean and Stylish Interface: Lemon8 features a sleek and modern homepage design with a dual-column feed, making it easy to browse diverse content smoothly.
- Advanced Editing Tools: The app offers a range of powerful photo editing tools, including templates, stickers, filters, and fonts, helping users create attractive visual content easily.
- Convenient Interaction Features: Lemon8 provides basic interaction options like likes, comments, and shares, along with a “Fun Chat” feature to encourage deeper user engagement.
Sounds like Lemon8 is similar to TikTok? Well, what exactly is the difference between them?
Lemon8 vs TikTok: What Is the Difference?
To address the potential ban and grow Lemon8’s user base, TikTok announced in November 2024 that creators can access their Lemon8 accounts using the same TikTok login. This means you can easily transfer your TikTok account and followers to Lemon8.
So, is Lemon8 the same as TikTok? Definitely not. Here’s how they differ:
- Content Style
Lemon8 focuses on photo and text-based posts, similar to a mix of early Instagram and Pinterest. It’s more about tips, recommendations, and curated content. In contrast, TikTok focuses primarily on short video content, emphasizing entertainment and visuals.
- Purpose and Audience
TikTok is entertainment-driven, featuring short videos and live streams for all age groups and genders. Lemon8 prioritizes community connections, inspiration, and sharing recommendations, targeting primarily young women.
- Business Model
TikTok is efficiently monetized through advertising and live streaming, turning traffic into significant commercial success. Lemon8 relies on recommendations from KOLs and KOCs to influence purchasing decisions. Its monetization is slower but steadily growing.
While Lemon8 and TikTok are distinctly different in terms of market positioning, functionality, user base, and content format, there are many similarities in terms of recommendation algorithms and UGC. If you want to switch to Lemon8 right now but are worried that it’s not safe, read on.
How to Use Lemon8 Safely?
Like every social media platform, Lemon8 also collects user data, such as IP addresses, browsing history, device identifiers, and more. To stay safe, we recommend using a VPN when using Lemon8 or any other online service. Here’s why:
✅ A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for third parties (including hackers and ISPs) to intercept or read your data.
✅ A VPN hides your IP address, helping protect your identity and location from being tracked by apps or other entities.
✅ Public Wi-Fi networks are often insecure, but using a VPN on these networks encrypts your data and prevents unauthorized access.
Here is how to use a VPN on Lemon8:
1. Choose a reliable VPN provider. We recommend X-VPN, which offers strong encryption, reliable servers, and a strict no-logs policy. X-VPN also provides advanced security features like Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, Double VPN, and more.
2. Download and install the X-VPN app. Follow the setup instructions to configure the VPN on your device.
3. Sign up and log in (optional). You can use X-VPN’s free version without signing up or creating an account to enjoy a 30-day free trial of the premium version.
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4. Connect to a server and use Lemon8 as usual. Once connected, X-VPN encrypts all your app traffic. No one can see what you’re browsing.
Ensure VPN use is legal in your region, and don‘t use a VPN for illegal activities.
Is Lemon8 Getting Banned?
The US government and regulators’ concerns about TikTok mainly focus on data security and national security risks, especially given that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is a Chinese company. The same concerns could potentially extend to other apps operated by ByteDance, including Lemon8.
Additionally, the backend integration and data sharing between Lemon8 and TikTok might draw further scrutiny from regulators. Lemon8 can automatically sync certain TikTok information and allows users to log in with a unified account, which could be seen as increasing data security risks.
This means that while the TikTok ban doesn’t explicitly mention Lemon8 or other ByteDance products, their future in the US also appears uncertain.
Conclusion
Lemon8 combines features from Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok, making it an appealing alternative to TikTok. Turning on X-VPN while using Lemon8 can better protect your online security. Click below to start using it for free now!
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FAQs
Is Lemon8 safe?
Yes, Lemon8 is generally safe. However, like any social media platform, it may contain sexual or suggestive content.
Who owns Lemon8?
Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that also owns TikTok, CapCut, and other international apps.
How old do you have to be to have Lemon8?
According to Lemon8’s Terms of Service, the minimum age to use the platform is 18. However, in some regions, the minimum age may be 13. Please check and follow Lemon8’s rules for use in your location.
