Facing the increasing likelihood of a TikTok ban, American TikTok creators are urging their followers to connect with them on other platforms like Instagram and YouTube. This call-to-action follows a U.S. federal appeals court’s recent decision to uphold a law that mandates TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app or risk a nationwide ban by January 19.
President Biden signed the legislation in April, granting ByteDance 90 days to divest from TikTok or face restrictions. Now, with the court ruling backing the law, the clock is ticking for the app’s survival in the United States. Many US TikTok creators have started exploring contingency plans, including asking their audiences where they’d prefer to follow their content if TikTok becomes unavailable.
Creators Speak Out on TikTok Ban’s Impact
Creators on the platform are vocal about their fears and uncertainty. Chris Burkett, who boasts 1.3 million followers, expressed concerns about TikTok’s longevity in the U.S. and asked fans to follow him on Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and X. Similarly, Chris Mowrey, with 470,000 followers, highlighted the potential economic fallout for small businesses and creators, noting the devastating effects of losing an established income source.
Meanwhile, TikTok has filed an emergency injunction to block the impending ban. The company argues that shutting down the app could lead to substantial financial losses, estimating that U.S. creators and small businesses would collectively forfeit $1.3 billion in earnings within just a month. TikTok itself anticipates losing nearly 29% of its projected global advertising revenue for 2025.
Despite these warnings, the Department of Justice dismissed the injunction, reaffirming its stance against the platform. The uncertainty surrounding the TikTok ban has left US TikTok creators in a race against time to secure their livelihoods and keep their audiences engaged on alternative platforms.