Is Lemon8 replacing TikTok?
As we have all been following the updates and information of TikTok’s potential ban, a new app has emerged to battle with the network. This new app? Lemon8.
Created from TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, this app will combine features like Pinterest, Instagram, and Amazon, to build a new multi-media, multi-purpose social media network.
It has quickly risen to fame, reaching the Top 10 list of the most downloaded apps on the App Store with 16 million global downloads.
So, what is Lemon8 and is it really becoming the new “TikTok?”
What is Lemon8?
Lemon8 was first launched in Japan in 2020, then arrived in the U.S. and U.K. in February of 2023. This app is a video and photo-sharing app, with an emphasis on lifestyle topics such as wellness, travel, food, and beauty.
It is comparable to both Instagram and Pinterest, as it consists of a mix of photos and videos, centralized around specific topics.
You can either scroll through your For You page or view content for the following sections:
- Fashion
- Beauty
- Food
- Wellness
- Travel
- Home
There are also options to tag clothes and include labels, to show where the items are from. Many of these tags come from influencers, who work with large brands to promote their products.
When first scrolling through Lemon8, we can immediately see this app is very aesthetically pleasing and focuses on a crisp look.
Is Lemon8 comparable to TikTok?
Although these two different platforms may seem very different, they are more similar than you think. Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, who also owns TikTok. Therefore, from that fact alone we can assume there will be similarities in the algorithm, features, etc.
However, Lemon8 isn’t trying to come after TikTok. It’s trying to become the next Instagram.
But with “For You” and “Following” pages, we can only imagine where that idea came from. While TikTok goes through the wringer against the U.S. Senate, Lemon8 is coming in at a time when people may be looking for a new app to use…
So although Lemon8 and TikTok have similar features and owners, the purpose and content types are significantly different from TikTok. Therefore, it’s inaccurate to say this app is the new “TikTok”, but it might be ByteDance’s top charting app, depending on what happens to TikTok’s legacy.
How to use Lemon8
Lemon8 is overall really simple to use and doesn’t have many complexities. The interface is clean and simple, allowing for easy use.
You can either download the app on the App Store or Google Play, where you will be asked to enter your birthday and pronouns, then choose a username.
Next, you will need to choose your interests from beauty, fashion, food, travel, wellness, and pets. From here you can view feeds across each of these different categories, as well as view your personalized “For You” page.
You can view and follow creators’ profiles, like content, and share content outside of the app.
How to upload content to Lemon8
Creativity is rewarded on this app, so for emerging creators, marketers, and lifestyle bloggers, this is a great opportunity to share your talent.
To upload content, simply head to the app and find the yellow + icon at the bottom of the page. From here, you can upload content from your camera roll to share. There is no camera inside the app, so you aren’t able to record on the spot, like in TikTok.
You can upload up to 3 photos and videos of up to 60 seconds. After you have chosen the content you want to post, then click on Next.
On this next page, you can edit your content. Choose from built-in templates, crop your content, erase part of the content, retouch with a filter, and add tags, text, and stickers.
Finally, you have the option to add a headline, caption, hashtags, and a location. Lemon8 even has a “Caption ideas” feature, where you can find new ideas, for each category.
After posting, you will be able to view the number of likes and shares your content is receiving. You can also see your new followers and comments inside the Notifications tab, represented by a bell icon.
Is Lemon8 worth it?
This is the overarching question that everyone has been asking, especially after the news about TikTok. So, is worth investing in a whole new social network?
Obviously, it will be different for each person. However, based on the tremendous growth we have seen in just a few months, we know that it has already reached a wide audience.
So, if you are a creator, small business owner or work in one of the categories mentioned, this may be your chance to try out this app. It also looks like there are already influencers emerging on the app and finding new ways to monetize their accounts.
In case you need it, I will leave you a content planning guide from us at Metricool, to support your new Lemon8 endeavors.
