Lemon8 After the TikTok U.S. Deal: What to Know

Put Instagram, Pinterest, Canva and a splash of RedNote in a blender, hit the button, and enjoy your freshly squeezed Lemon8. If there’s one word that defines TikTok’s lifestyle-focused sister app, it’s aesthetics ✨. Since its U.S. launch in 2023, this photo and video-sharing app has had its ups and downs but managed to build some momentum among creators in the beauty, fashion, wellness, and travel niches. And now with the TikTok sale done, its future seems stable in the U.S.

What is Lemon8? 

Think of Lemon8 as the polished, curated alternative to TikTok’s fast-paced video content. While TikTok thrives on spontaneous, raw videos, Lemon8 rewards thoughtful, aesthetically pleasing content that could be straight out of Vanity Fair.

The app first launched in Japan in 2020 and expanded to the U.S. and U.K. in February 2023. It quickly climbed the app store charts, then saw its growth slow after the initial hype. 

To give Lemon8 a second push, ByteDance rolled out a deeper integration with TikTok in late 2024, allowing users to log into Lemon8 using their TikTok account and easily repurpose content between the two platforms.

TikTok Integration and U.S. Ownership 2026

That TikTok integration? It was just one of two major developments reshaping Lemon8’s future in the U.S. 

The other is the recent change in TikTok’s ownership structure. As TikTok’s sister app, Lemon8 was part of the deal and is now operated in the United States by TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC. 

1. Unified TikTok Login (Late 2024)

In late 2024, ByteDance integrated Lemon8 with TikTok, allowing creators to use one account across both platforms. Sound familiar? It’s the same playbook Meta used when launching Threads alongside Instagram and it worked quite well for gaining new users. 

What this means for your content strategy:

• Use your existing TikTok credentials to access Lemon8 (no separate account setup required)
• Repurpose content between platforms without the friction of switching accounts
• Tap into TikTok’s user base to supercharge Lemon8 discovery
• Manage both platforms from a single unified login system

2. New U.S. Ownership Structure (Early 2026)

And here’s some details you need to know around the new owners. Operations now run through TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, a majority U.S.-owned entity. ByteDance? They’re just minority shareholders now with no operational control over the U.S. versions of Lemon8, TikTok, or CapCut.

As a result, the platform is more stable now. You can pitch Lemon8 to clients and executives without worrying about another shutdown drama.

Lemon8 Features: Platform Comparison 

The aesthetics aren’t an accident – Lemon8 positions itself as a lifestyle community app for users who love exploring and sharing content on fashion, wellness, and travel. You can either scroll through your For You page or dive into dedicated category feeds:

• Fashion
• Beauty
• Food
• Wellness
• Travel
• Home 
• Pets

Lemon8 lets users tag clothing items and add labels showing where items are from. Many of these tags come from influencers partnering with major brands, making it perfect for shoppable content.

At first glance, Lemon8 feels familiar (which might explain why it’s still finding its unique voice). Here’s how it borrows from platforms you already know:

• Content Discovery: Just like TikTok, Lemon8 features “For You” and “Following” feeds, which makes it easy to browse trending content or stay updated on posts from beloved creators.
• Visual Aesthetics: Just like Pinterest, the platform is all about high-quality, influencer-style imagery with a grid layout, ideal for users who enjoy visually pleasing content. 
• Photo Editing Tools: Just like Instagram – with built-in Canva-like editing features –, Lemon8 lets users edit their photos using collages, filters, effects, stickers, and text templates.

Pro Tip for Social Media Managers: If your Instagram carousel posts outperform your Reels, Lemon8 might be your sweet spot.

How to Set Up Lemon8

etting started on Lemon8 is straightforward. Here’s your setup checklist:

Step 1: Download the app from App Store or Google Play

Step 2: Link your TikTok account (required as of 2026)

• Provide accurate, up-to-date account information
• Enter birthday and optional pronouns
• Choose a username that aligns with your brand

Step 3: Select your content categories

• Choose from: Beauty, Fashion, Food, Travel, Wellness, Pets

Step 4: Optimize your profile

• Use consistent branding across TikTok and Lemon8. 
• Add a compelling bio with your value proposition
• Include your website or link-in-bio URL

Content Strategy: How to Post on Lemon8

Unlike TikTok’s spontaneous in-app camera, Lemon8 requires pre-created content. This makes it ideal for repurposing your already-polished assets.

Upload Process:

1. Tap the yellow + icon at the bottom of the screen
2. Select content from your camera roll (up to 3 photos/videos)
   • Videos: Maximum 60 seconds
   • Photos: High-resolution recommended for grid display
3. Edit with built-in tools
   • Choose templates that match your category
   • Add text overlays, stickers, and tags
   • Apply filters for cohesive aesthetic
4. Optimize metadata
   • Headline: Clear, benefit-driven (functions like a title)
   • Caption: Use “Caption ideas” feature for inspiration
   • Hashtags: Category-specific tags (research trending tags in your niche)
   • Location: Add for local discovery
5. Publish and track performance
   • Monitor likes, saves/shares in Notifications (bell icon)
   • Track follower growth
   • Engage with comments promptly

Content Best Practices for Social Media Managers

What Works on Lemon8:

• Before/after transformations (skincare, home decor, fashion)
• Product roundups with affiliate tags
• Step-by-step tutorials in carousel format
• Travel guides and itineraries
• Recipe collections with styling tips
• Trend forecasts and seasonal lookbooks

What Doesn’t Work:

• Low-quality phone snapshots
• Off-the-cuff video content
• Overly promotional, salesy posts
• Content without clear visual hierarchy

Consistency in aesthetic and posting schedule matters more than volume. Quality over quantity is Lemon8’s mantra.and password, then tap “Log in” in the dialogue box to complete the reactivation process.

Can You Make Money on Lemon8?

While Lemon8 doesn’t offer built-in monetization tools like TikTok’s Creator Fund or YouTube’s Partner Program yet, there are still solid ways to make money on the platform. Since it focuses on lifestyle content and high-quality visuals, creators can leverage their audience to generate income in several ways:

• Brand Partnerships: Many influencers collaborate with brands to promote products in sponsored posts. Since Lemon8 is highly visual, brands in fashion, beauty, and wellness are particularly interested in working with creators on the platform.
• Driving Traffic to Your Website: If you have a blog, online store, or another digital platform, you can use Lemon8 to attract visitors by sharing engaging content and including links in your bio.

• Affiliate Marketing: By sharing product recommendations with affiliate links, you can earn commissions when followers make purchases through your unique links. Many brands and platforms, such as Amazon Associates or RewardStyle, offer affiliate programs.

• Promoting Your Own Products: Whether you sell digital products, physical goods, or services, Lemon8 can serve as a visually appealing showcase for your offerings, helping you connect with potential buyers.

Because the platform is still smaller than TikTok or Instagram, you may find it easier to stand out in some niches, but it can be harder to reach TikTok-level scale or earnings. Lemon8 works best as a support channel for your broader ecosystem, not your only monetization engine.

Curious to know which platform pays the most to content creators? Take a look: 

Is Lemon8 Getting Banned?

No, it’s not. In early 2026, TikTok’s U.S. operations were placed under a new, majority U.S.–owned joint venture. This company runs the U.S. operations of other ByteDance apps now, including Lemon8 and CapCut. ByteDance now holds only a minority, non‑controlling stake in this structure.

Is Lemon8 Worth It in 2026?

Given everything that’s happened, is Lemon8 worth investing time in?

That depends on your goals and niche, but here’s a simple framework to help you decide:

Lemon8 in 2026 is less about “Will it disappear because of a ban?” and more about “Does this niche, aesthetic-first platform fit my brand and content pipeline?”

It’s best treated as a complementary channel alongside TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest – a place to repurpose your strongest visual stories and test new creative angles, without overcommitting or making it your only growth pillar.

How to Delete Your Lemon8 Account

Tested and no fit for your strategy? Here’s how to cleanly exit:

1. Go to the Lemon8 settings on your profile.
2. Select “Account” and then “Delete Account”.
3. Enter your password and confirm.
4. Read the pop‑up message about what deletion means.
5. Tap “Delete”. 

Account deletion works similarly to TikTok: it isn’t instant. Your account is scheduled for deletion, but you have a grace period during which you can change your mind. To reactivate, log in again with your registered email and password and confirm in the dialog box that you want to restore the account.

Key Takeaways: Lemon8 Strategy Checklist

Platform Basics:

✅ TikTok sister app focused on aesthetic, lifestyle content

✅ Requires TikTok account for login (unified system)

✅ Now operated by U.S.-majority owned entity

✅ 13+ age requirement

Content Strategy:

✅ Prioritize polished, magazine-quality visuals

✅ Use carousels for tutorials and product roundups

✅ Leverage in-app editing tools for brand consistency

✅ Post 3-5x weekly for algorithm favorability

Monetization Approach:

✅ Focus on brand partnerships and affiliate marketing

✅ Drive traffic to owned platforms (website, newsletter)

✅ Use product tags for shoppable content

✅ Treat as support channel, not primary revenue source

Platform Positioning:

✅ Best for: Beauty, fashion, wellness, home, food, travel niches

✅ Repurpose Instagram/Pinterest content efficiently

✅ Lower competition than mature platforms

✅ Maintain diversified platform presence