In 2016, TikTok turned the world upside down. The social media platform quickly won the love of users worldwide and completely captured their attention thanks to videos that immediately pop up on the screen after launching the application. However, amid the latest news about the TikTok ban in the United States, fans of short videos need to look for a new entertainment platform. In this article, we’ve gathered some worthy analogs of TikTok that you definitely should check out.
TikTok positions itself as a platform for publishing short videos shot on a smartphone. On the way to its immeasurable popularity, neither conflicts related to data protection, nor the ban on the use of TikTok in a number of countries have become obstacles for this app.
TikTok has turned into a nightmare for Facebook and Instagram. The company's new California office is located in the same building where WhatsApp previously was, a messenger owned by Facebook. Besides, TikTok has hired over twenty former Facebook, Apple, and Google employees. The United States could not afford to let its largest companies lose out to a competitor from China. In this article, we have collected applications that can significantly undermine the popularity of TikTok.
Instagram launched Reels
Facebook announced the launch of a new Stories format based on Instagram called Reels. Users will be able to record 15-second videos and edit them with effects, sounds, and other tools.
Hellooooo, Reels 🙌
— Instagram (@instagram) August 5, 2020
Introducing a new way to create and discover short, entertaining videos on Instagram.
Reels is rolling out today to more than 50 countries around the world.
🤳🤩🎥✨😂👀💯https://t.co/RfXDhYawSF pic.twitter.com/FjSGSpSGpn
This feature that lives inside Instagram can serve as a complete replacement for blocked TikTok. The functionality completely repeats that of TikTok, only all your video masterpieces are stored on one platform. Reels can be published to the feed (then the video will appear in the general profile) or shared with a broader audience in a new dedicated section under the Explore tab. A tab for Reels will also appear on the profile page.
Today’s Reels tip is all about AR effects 😎@Iamkandireign_ pic.twitter.com/iZzu1kiqFd
— Instagram (@instagram) August 10, 2020
You can also post your videos to Stories, but then they won't appear in the Explore section or your profile. In your personal account, you can set up privacy settings: prohibit other users from using the original sound, or allow only your subscribers to see your Reels videos.
YouTube is developing Shorts
YouTube has always been the main platform for video sharing and had no competitors. However, to create a good YouTube video, you need to have video shooting skills, and the editing functions may seem too complicated to the layman.
With the advent of TikTok, the situation has changed, as short videos of low quality have gained immense popularity. To compete in this niche, YouTube has created an extension of its main app called Shorts. Its concept almost completely repeats the functionality of TikTok. The company has officially announced plans to launch the new feature in late 2020.
Kay Lee
Byte is becoming more popular
Byte launched in January 2020, and in a very short time, the app managed to attract many users. It's too early to say that Byte may take the place of TikTok, but the service is rapidly gaining traction among US teens.
dear friends,
— byte app (@byte_app) January 25, 2020
today we’re bringing back 6-second looping videos and a new community for people who love them.
it’s called byte and it’s both familiar and new. we hope it’ll resonate with people who feel something’s been missing. https://t.co/g5qOIdM8qG
This app is almost like TikTok only with modified functionality. Users shoot and upload six-second videos about whatever they want and share them with the whole world. Unlike other social media platforms, Byte does not show the number of followers in user profiles. Byte also developed a special partner program that will allow influencers to make money on content creation.
news flash. next week we’re gonna start reaching out to cOnTeNt CrEaToRs for our partner program. some quick info on the first group of partners…...
— byte app (@byte_app) February 28, 2020
💵 $250,000 in the pool
💯 up to a hundred creators
🥾 kicks off april 15
more details here: https://t.co/T21JPbwalS
Google’s respond
The tech giant is not going to stand aside! Back in October 2019, Google was about to acquire a video-related startup called Firework.
Coz Google knows best! #DidYouMean pic.twitter.com/BiI86zYluP
— Firework India (@FireworkIndia) February 28, 2020
This is a service for sharing 30-second videos, the functionality of which resembles TikTok. Anyway, Google has not provided any official statements so far. Perhaps the company is just building intrigue.
How does all this affect TikTok?
The competition in the IT world is merciless. Everyone is in a hurry to surpass every successful project. YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram will do their best to take the lead from their main competitor. The United States has always been a land of startups and new technologies, so this time, they will do their best to maintain their leadership position.
Besides, it is no secret that TikTok was created in a communist country, which means that the content can be heavily censored, and the user's personal data can be transferred to third parties. So TikTok competitors have a card up their sleeves.
