TikTok Shuts Down its Instagram rival TikTok Notes

The photo-sharing app TikTok Notes, which was tipped to be Instagram’s demise, which is Instagram’s rival, is closing. However, last year, the photo-sharing app went live in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam for testing. TikTok is rerouting users to its sister app, Lemon8, which is owned by its parent firm, ByteDance, since it will disappear by May 8.

You’re not the only one who has wondered what TikTok Notes was. I never used it either. Last year, it was introduced as a test in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam. It provided a platform for uploading images and slideshows, essentially taking aim at Instagram. However, it failed to take off. ByteDance is now pulling out and rerouting users to Lemon8, which has been operating since 2020 and has a more Instagram-meets-Pinterest vibe.

Since the applications are somewhat similar and provide comparable features, it is not unexpected that the firm is informing TikTok Notes users of its plan to deactivate the app and referring them to Lemon8, which is owned by ByteDance.

Users of TikTok Notes were informed in a message that the app’s future was already in doubt. The letter states, “This decision was not made lightly,” before urging users to transfer their data and try Lemon8, which TikTok claims offers “even more features.”

“As we continue to create a specific area for our community to share and experience photo content, intended to complement and enhance the TikTok experience, we’re thrilled to bring the feedback from TikTok Notes to Lemon8,” a TikTok representative told TechCrunch in a statement.

Although TikTok did not give a particular explanation for the app’s closure, it is probable that the firm decided to focus on Lemon8, which as of December 2024 had over 12.5 million monthly active users worldwide, in place of TikTok Notes because the latter did not experience significant uptake.

According to a note sent to TikTok Notes users, the decision to discontinue the app “was not made lightly.” Users are urged to “continue sharing your creativity on Lemon8” and download and save their TikTok Notes data. Lemon8 is a lifestyle app that provides a comparable experience to TikTok Notes, according to TikTok, but with “even more features.”

In 2020, Lemon8 made its debut in Japan and subsequently spread to countries in Southeast Asia and the United States. Similar to Instagram and Pinterest, the app allows users to browse content through “Following” and “For You” feeds and share slideshows and photo collections. Users of Lemon8 may use a variety of creative tools, including text templates, stickers, filters, effects, and more.

In the wake of a possible U.S. ban, ByteDance has attempted to present Lemon8 as an alternative to TikTok, even as TikTok promotes it as a substitute for TikTok Notes.

The business introduced cross-sharing of photo material across the apps and allowed users to access Lemon8 directly using their TikTok accounts in November of last year. In the event that TikTok disappeared, the move was perceived as a means for ByteDance to transfer creators to the new site without requiring them to register for it individually.

As of right now, TikTok is still promoting Lemon8 within its app despite the fact that it faces a fresh suspension date of April 5.

This announcement’s timing is similarly intriguing. In the United States, TikTok is being criticized and might be banned by April 5. ByteDance made it simpler for users to connect their Lemon8 and TikTok accounts last year, enabling cross-sharing of material. Most likely, this is not a coincidence. ByteDance needs a fallback strategy to retain customers in its ecosystem in the event that TikTok disappears from some markets. Lemon8 might be that strategy.

The photo-sharing and lifestyle content market is already dominated by Instagram and Pinterest. ByteDance will need a plan that goes beyond simply moving users over if Lemon8 is to be more than just a TikTok Notes substitute.