TikTok has announced the closure of its Instagram-like platform, TikTok Notes, set for May 8. Initially launched for testing in countries like Canada, Australia, and Vietnam, TikTok Notes aimed to capture a slice of the photo-sharing market. However, users are now being directed towards Lemon8, another venture by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, which offers a remarkably similar experience with additional features.
A TikTok spokesperson shared their excitement about integrating feedback from TikTok Notes into Lemon8, emphasizing the desire to create a vibrant space for users to share photo content that complements the TikTok experience. The choice to close TikTok Notes may stem from less-than-expected user adoption, prompting a strategic pivot to bolster Lemon8, a platform that already enjoyed around 12.5 million global monthly users by the end of 2024.
Notices to TikTok Notes users highlight that the decision wasn’t easy, encouraging them to save their data and transition to Lemon8. The platform is described as a lifestyle app offering similar experiences, loaded with even more creative features.
Launched in Japan in 2020, Lemon8 has since expanded to various markets in the U.S. and Southeast Asia. The app allows users to share slideshows and photo collections, navigating content through feeds akin to Instagram and Pinterest. It boasts a variety of creative tools, including filters, effects, stickers, and text templates.
TikTok has been positioning Lemon8 as an appealing alternative amidst uncertainties surrounding a potential U.S. ban on TikTok. Last November, the integration of Lemon8 with TikTok accounts made it easier for users to cross-share content, facilitating a seamless transition in anticipation of any future restrictions on TikTok itself.
As the platform faces an upcoming ban deadline of April 5, TikTok continues promoting Lemon8 within its ecosystem, ensuring creators and users have a robust alternative to transition to.
