Dive into the data to discover what Linktree’s stats reveal about the impact of the TikTok shutdown in the US.
Dive into the data to discover what Linktree’s stats reveal about the impact of the TikTok shutdown in the US.
January 19 2025 delivered what many believed to be impossible: TikTok was banned in the US.
But the ban only lasted for less than 24 hours. So, what happened during TikTok’s snap shutdown?
American users flocked elsewhere and we have the data to prove it.
We’ve crunched the numbers and dug into the details to figure out exactly what happened when TikTok went dark in the US.
Even before January 19, Linkers were making moves. In the week leading up to (and during) the TikTok US shutdown, we saw:
Interestingly, these changes weren’t limited to just US Linkers. In fact, 40% of Linkers outside the US modeled this behavior—with many creators and brands likely relying on a US-based audience.
So, what happened when TikTok made it’s swift return? Spoiler alert: TikTokers came flocking back, fast. Our data shows that once TikTok access was reactivated in the US, 5x more TikTok links were added than were removed.
The long-term future of TikTok still hangs in the balance. But, the temporary ban hasn’t dampened spirits, with Linkers eager to reconnect with their TikTok audience as soon as the app was reactivated in the US.
The US TikTok ban was brief, to say the least. Still, we saw a mass exodus of TikTokers. So, where did they all go? Below, we spotlight the seven social platforms that saw the largest influx of new users during the TikTok US shutdown.
Out of all the platforms in this article, Flip takes the cake for attracting the most new users. According to Modern Retail, Flip has seen 250,000 new user sign-ups since January 2025.
And on January 18th? Flip saw a whopping 25x increase in new user installs month-on-month—earning the top spot on Apple’s app store rankings.
“We thought we had already planned really well, but we couldn’t even come close to handling the traffic we were getting.” - Eddie Vivas, President at Flip
Flip was even forced to temporarily limit user access due to an overwhelming surge in demand during the TikTok US shutdown.
Known as the “shopping social network”, Flip allows creators and real shoppers to share their honest opinions on products through engaging video content. Trust is key to this social commerce app, with creators encouraged to be raw and unfiltered—all while earning an income along the way.
Plus, users can shop from over 7,000+ verified brands (think: Goop, Olaplex and Samsung) and get rewarded for every interaction on the app, too.
Another fast-growing social media platform in the wake of the TikTok shutdown is Clapper. Dedicated to video content, Clapper’s promise is to help users ‘be heard, be seen, and be valued’.
Authenticity takes centre-stage on Clapper. The platform aims to connect real people with friends and likeminded users, primarily through live broadcasts. Not only can you kick off a live broadcast with up to eight other users, but the platform’s ‘Clap Back’ feature is designed to spark conversations — allowing you to share your perspective to an existing video in seconds.
From monetized live streams to curated Clapper Groups, it’s not hard to see why Clapper is a popular TikTok alternative.
If you’re looking for a place to go live, look no further than Favorited. This TikTok alternative is committed to making live broadcasts fun, personal and interactive.
Focused on helping creators build a loyal following with live video content, Favorited is perfect for creators looking to foster engaged audiences on multiple social media platforms.
While this is app is much more narrowly focused on live broadcasts, it’s worthwhile exploring Favorited if you’re looking to double down on live streams in 2025.
Fanbase is a social media app specifically geared towards creators. Getting started is simple: sign up for free and start creating content with the ability to earn revenue from day one.
Plus, you’re not limited to video content either. Creators on Fanbase can share (and monetize) anything from images to live broadcasts and even audio content. There’s a stack of ways to earn, from monthly subscriptions to exclusive, gated content.
As we’ve mentioned, we saw a 1,170x surge in users adding links to RedNote to their Linktree during the recent TikTok ban.
Xiaohongshu (also known as RedNote) is a Chinese short-form video app, often referred to as China’s answer to Instagram. As a platform not designed for English speakers, the app focuses on allowing users to communicate without a language barrier through visual content.
Expect to grow your global audience with the ability to expand your ‘global village’ through engaging video and static content.
TikTok is back online in the US, for now. But there are no guarantees about its long-term future.
As a brand or creator, now is the time to own your audience and reduce your reliance on individual social media platforms. Why? Because the rug can be pulled out from underneath you overnight.
Our data reveals that amidst the TikTok shutdown, TikTokers were quick to make a move. Within hours, thousands of users were migrating to new video platforms, searching for the creators and content they know and love.
This presents a huge opportunity for you. By setting up a consolidated Linktree with handy links to all your social media platforms, you can make it easy for users to find you — no matter what platforms you’re using.
Linktree Tip: Use our social icons feature and pin this to the top of your Linktree to boost the chances of your audience discovering and following your brand across multiple platforms.
Plus, it’s important to diversify your social strategy and build a following across multiple platforms. If you’re looking to grow your audience outside of TikTok, we’ve rounded up 10 must-try TikTok alternative apps in 2025.
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