With 1.6 billion monthly active users, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. But recently the American government instated a ban, causing the app to briefly go dark for the country’s 170 million users. Less than 24 hours later, the app was reinstated due to an executive order from […]
With 1.6 billion monthly active users, TikTok is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world.
But recently the American government instated a ban, causing the app to briefly go dark for the country’s 170 million users. Less than 24 hours later, the app was reinstated due to an executive order from the Trump Administration.
While the app has returned for now, millions speculate a ban could be reinstated in the future. Here’s how to prepare for the best if the platform sees the worst.
As of late January, statements from the third-party companies responsible for keeping the app running have varied. App stores have declined to carry it, while hosting firms made the app available to American users roughly a day after it went dark.
According to tech policy analysts who spoke to ABC News, the app’s fate remains uncertain. The executive order could face legal challenges, and the app could degrade over the next several months without user updates delivered to the app stores.
What that means for the affiliates you work with, is that they may have to seek out the next big social media platform if they haven’t already.
Luckily, short-form video doesn’t solely live on TikTok. Here’s where you might find similar affiliates to partner with or where your current affiliates could start posting.
YouTube Shorts is becoming an increasingly popular video option. Users enjoy casually scrolling when they aren’t viewing the long-form content the platform is primarily known for. YouTube is highly user-friendly, integrates well with your Shopify store, and could be the next best place to find a new audience.
It’s likely that users who were on TikTok already cross-post to Instagram reels. Instagram is known for being the next most popular destination for short-form video content, and hundreds of millions of people are already active on both tools. Reels is the closest substitute for TikTok and is the easiest place to transition to first.
LinkedIn is actually a super underrated platform for short-form videos. Posters are finding the algorithm increasingly favors video content, and it’s a great place to speak to a business-minded audience. If your product or service is right for it, LinkedIn might make an even more effective social media than TikTok did in the first place. If your current affiliates already have a bit of an audience there, it’s a bonus.
TikTok was a source of income for millions across the United States, from influencers to solopreneurs to small businesses. A TikTok ban means losing a large, or maybe their only revenue stream.
The creators and partnerships through your affiliate program probably mean a lot to you. These influencers or businesses have likely supported your company, and have brought in an additional revenue stream for your business. Here are a few ways you can support your affiliates if a ban happens:
Navigating how a TikTok ban affects your affiliate program starts with empathy. These businesses help your company, so you may see a dip in your revenue, but no TikTok might mean they lose their livelihood.
Talk to your affiliates now about diversifying their content across different channels so if TikTok goes dark, you can both continue business as usual.
For more guidance and information on how to run an affiliate marketing program, book a demo with us.
