Following the TikTok ban that recently happened, many people are wondering what the app Lemon8 exactly is. Lemon8 is a social media app that launched in February of 2023, and is used for sharing photos and short videos. It’s owned by ByteDance and is a sister app to TikTok. But what exactly does Lemon8 have to offer that TikTok does not? 

As someone who has used TikTok before and didn’t exactly like it, I found Lemon8 a lot easier to manage. The reasoning as to why I didn’t like TikTok is because of how easy it is to get warped into doom scrolling, something that I already do enough as it is on Instagram reels. I also felt incredibly overwhelmed by everything on my feed, which didn’t appeal to me at all. 

For my fellow individuals who aren’t the biggest fan of TikTok, I think Lemon8 is more up your alley. The reason why I like Lemon8 so much is because of its pinterest board style that they have on the home page. It makes it easier to find what you like and feels less overwhelming because you can control what you look at. You also can’t exactly doom scroll either which makes it easier to exit the app. 

 I also found the community incredibly loving and kind. You end up meeting so many new people that have the same exact interests as you. Using certain hashtags, you can appeal to whatever audience you choose and can find people that have similar interests as you. 

Another thing that appeals to me about this app is how relaxed it feels. Unlike TikTok and Instagram, you can turn your profile into your own digital diary, which takes the pressure off of accumulating views, likes and comments. It feels less of a chore and more of something fun to do, especially if you like scrapbooking. The app also features various challenges you can complete for real prizes, which are fun if it’s something that appeals to you. 

Unfortunately, because Lemon8 is owned by the same company as TikTok, it did get shut down briefly as well. For both apps, it’s very unfortunate to see communities disappear just like that. I personally find both of these apps very important for fostering communities and bringing people together. I guess we just have to see what happens to these apps in the future.