TikTok is shutting down its Instagram competitor TikTok Notes

Tech Crunch - Apr 1st, 2025

TikTok is set to retire its photo-sharing app, TikTok Notes, on May 8, after a year of testing in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam. Users are being guided towards Lemon8, another app owned by ByteDance that offers similar functionalities with additional features. This move comes as TikTok aims to consolidate its user base and enhance the photo-sharing experience through Lemon8, which reportedly had around 12.5 million global monthly active users as of late 2024. Users are advised to download and save their content from TikTok Notes before the shutdown and are encouraged to continue sharing their creativity on Lemon8.

The decision to phase out TikTok Notes is likely influenced by its limited adoption compared to Lemon8's broader appeal. Lemon8, which launched in Japan in 2020, has expanded to the U.S. and Southeast Asia, positioning itself as both an Instagram and Pinterest alternative and a potential substitute for TikTok amid looming bans in the U.S. ByteDance's strategy includes promoting cross-platform sharing between TikTok and Lemon8, making it easier for users to transition. This strategic shift underscores ByteDance's adaptive approach to maintaining its user base and content sharing capabilities in light of regulatory challenges.

Tik Tok Byte Dance Lemon8 Tik Tok Notes Photo Sharing Apps Social Media Strategy App Shutdown User Transition

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RATING

7.0

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively reports on TikTok's decision to shut down its Notes app, providing a clear and timely account of the company's strategic shifts. It highlights the transition to Lemon8 and the broader context of regulatory challenges in the U.S., which are of significant public interest. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced perspective, incorporating views from external analysts or affected users. The reliance on a single source limits the depth of the reporting, and greater transparency about the data and decision-making processes would enhance its credibility. Overall, the story is well-written and accessible, though it could be strengthened by addressing these gaps in balance and source diversity.

Accuracy

The article accurately reports the shutdown of TikTok Notes and its redirection to Lemon8, aligning with the facts that TikTok is indeed retiring the app and promoting Lemon8 as an alternative. The claim about TikTok Notes being tested in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam is consistent with deployment strategies often used by tech companies for new apps. However, the article lacks a cited source for the claim that TikTok Notes had low adoption rates, which would benefit from verification. The user count for Lemon8 as of December 2024 appears speculative without an explicit source reference, though it provides a plausible context for the strategic shift. The mention of TikTok facing a U.S. ban deadline adds a layer of urgency and context, although the article does not specify the current status of this ban, which is a crucial detail for full accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily presents TikTok's perspective, with quotes from a TikTok spokesperson and details about the company's strategic decisions. While it effectively outlines TikTok's rationale for shutting down Notes and promoting Lemon8, it lacks viewpoints from external analysts or users affected by the change, which could provide a more balanced view. The narrative does not explore potential negative impacts on users or the competitive landscape in the social media sector, leading to a somewhat one-sided portrayal.

Clarity

The article is clearly written, with a logical flow that guides the reader through TikTok's decision to shut down Notes and promote Lemon8. The language is straightforward, and the structure effectively separates different aspects of the story, such as the features of Lemon8 and the context of the U.S. ban. However, more detailed explanations of technical terms or industry jargon could enhance clarity for a broader audience.

Source quality

The article references a statement from a TikTok spokesperson, which lends credibility to the company's perspective. However, it lacks diverse sources, such as industry experts or user testimonials, which could enhance the reliability and depth of the reporting. The absence of independent verification or third-party analysis limits the breadth of source quality, relying heavily on corporate communication.

Transparency

The article provides a clear timeline for the shutdown and transition to Lemon8, but it does not disclose the methodology for determining user adoption rates or the specific reasons behind the strategic shift, beyond the spokesperson's statement. Greater transparency about the data sources for user statistics and the operational challenges faced by TikTok Notes would improve the article's transparency.