After launching in select locations last year, TikTok Notes is being shut down.

TikTok Notes

In an era where social media platforms have largely been looking to copy the success of TikTok’s short-form, vertical video content, TikTok pushed back with its own take on Instagram: TikTok Notes. TikTok Notes launched for testing in select regions in Canada, Australia, and Vietnam, offering users a way to share photos with captions in a similar way to Instagram. However, it is now set to be shut down just a year after its initial rollout. 

Why is TikTok Notes being discontinued?

While TikTok hasn’t explicitly stated the reasons for shutting down Notes, a lack of widespread adoption seems to be the likely cause. Rather than pushing forward with the platform, TikTok is pushing users towards Lemon8.

“We’re excited to bring the feedback from TikTok Notes to Lemon8 as we continue building a dedicated space for our community to share and experience photo content, designed to complement and enhance the TikTok experience.”

TikTok spokesperson (via TechCrunch)

TikTok has encouraged users to download and save their Notes data before the platform disappears for good, before urging them to continue sharing their creativity through Lemon8.

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What is Lemon8?

Lemon8 is another ByteDance-owned app that serves as a lifestyle-focused platform where users can share slideshows and photo selections. It offers creative tools, including filters, effects, stickers, and text templates. Much like TikTok, Lemon8 features both “Following” and “For You” feeds for content discovery.

This isn’t the first time that TikTok has pushed Lemon8 as an alternative platform. With the looming possibility of a TikTok ban in the US, ByteDance has positioned Lemon8 as a potential backup. This was seen in November where TikTok introduced an easier way for users to link their TikTok account and cross-share photo content between the two apps.

Impact on the music industry?

While TikTok Notes’ shutdown may not directly impact the music industry, it highlights the unpredictable nature of social media platforms. Musicians, labels, and marketers should make sure to diversify their social presence, as well as looking at alternative means of promoting their music away from being online.

For now, the takeaway is clear: TikTok’s experiment with photo-sharing didn’t take off. Whether Lemon8 will be the answer remains to be seen.

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