For many small businesses, TikTok is a powerful marketing tool that helps reach highly targeted audiences with minimal ad spend. But with the uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future in the United States, business owners can't afford to rely on a single platform for audience engagement and sales.
While TikTok is currently accessible after a brief ban in mid-January 2025, there's no guarantee it will stay that way. Whether the app is banned again or changes under new ownership, now is the time to explore TikTok alternatives for your short-form video content so you can keep your brand visible and growing.
9 TikTok alternatives to consider
While you may not enjoy the same reach and exposure as you would on TikTok, these other platforms are great places to repurpose and repost the short-form video content your business has created.
With over 3 billion monthly active users, small businesses can take advantage of Facebook's global reach for their products and services. In addition to its large user base, Facebook reels allow users to post video content like the short-form clips you post on TikTok, and the platform also supports longer-format videos. Plus, Facebook has targeted advertising options so you can reach your desired audience through demographics, interests, and behavior settings.
Flip
Relative newcomer Flip has a similar interface as TikTok and features many product review videos. With a limit on heavily sponsored content, Flip prioritizes authenticity and high-quality items across the platform. Once users see a product video they like, they can make their purchases directly in the app, supplying an added level of convenience for shoppers and another sales channel for businesses.
[Read more: TikTok for Business? How to Make Videos That Drive Sales]
Rivaling TikTok for the spot as the most downloaded app, Instagram is a good alternative because of its user base. While TikTok generally targets a younger audience, Instagram caters to a broader range of age groups, giving it a leg up in terms of overall reach. Like Facebook reels, Instagram's reels feature is a natural fit for repurposing TikTok video content.
Now is not the time to make any permanent decisions about your social media strategy, particularly when it comes to TikTok. Keep up to date on where your audience is traveling to, what platforms are growing, who owns them, and what is happening on them.
Molly Machado, senior corporate communications leader
Lemon8
Lemon8, which describes itself as a "lifestyle community app powered by TikTok," has seen a surge in popularity in recent months. It allows users to share curated lifestyle photos and videos, drawing comparisons to Instagram, TikTok, and even Pinterest. One caveat to keep in mind is that Lemon8 is owned by TikTok's Chinese parent company ByteDance. Since concerns over foreign ownership are at the heart of the ban, Lemon8 could potentially become restricted like its sister app.
Likee
Much like TikTok, Likee focuses on short-form video sharing and creation. The Singapore-based app comes with a host of filming and editing tools, including music, filters, and visual effects. Creators can also host live streams and even monetize their content through SuperLikes from their followers.
Though LinkedIn may not be the first place that comes to mind for video content, the networking platform offers a unique opportunity for businesses to share thought leadership and connect with a professional audience. With a maximum video length of 10 minutes, you can provide in-depth educational or industry-specific content that showcases your brand and expertise.
Pinterest is a great platform for discovering and sharing content with like-minded individuals and businesses while growing an engaged audience. Home to 537 million active users per month, businesses can upload repurposed video content as shareable pins, which can be saved to boards and reshared by others to increase engagement and brand visibility.
RedNote
RedNote is quickly becoming one of the most popular TikTok alternatives in the U.S. market. Focusing on authenticity, helpfulness, and inclusivity, RedNote enables users to share valuable content, including short-form videos, images, and text, with a "global village." It offers a layout similar to TikTok, enabling brands to easily connect and build relationships with users worldwide without a steep learning curve.
YouTube
YouTube isn't just for long-form content — you can also share short-form vertical videos on the platform with YouTube Shorts. These bite-sized videos can range from 15 seconds long to a maximum length of three minutes, perfect for repurposing your TikTok content.
[Read more: 4 New Ways Businesses Are Leveraging YouTube]
Best practices for small business video marketing
Whether you're pivoting away from TikTok or simply expanding your reach, a strong video marketing strategy can help you stay visible in an ever-changing digital landscape. Here are some best practices to guide your approach:
- Create content that serves your audience. Before hitting record, ask yourself: What does my audience want to see? Conduct keyword research on Google and YouTube to discover trending topics. Answer frequently asked customer questions through how-to videos, product demos, or expert tips. The more valuable and relevant your content is, the more engagement you'll generate.
- Choose a platform that fits your brand. Not all social platforms work for every business. Molly Machado, a senior corporate communications leader and a romance author noted that your social media strategy should be both sustainable and "the path of least resistance" for you as a business owner. "Focus on the platforms that feel the most natural for you and your brand to participate in, and try to find ones you enjoy the most," Machado added.
- Balance scripted content with live engagement. Tutorials or promotional content can benefit from a well-written script, but off-the-cuff live videos can boost engagement, provide real-time interaction, and showcase your authenticity. If you're comfortable going live, use it to connect with your audience, answer questions, and get instant feedback on your content.
- Optimize for search and accessibility. Search engines favor video content, so include keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and captions. Add subtitles for accessibility and to capture viewers who watch without sound. Consider cross-posting videos to your website, email newsletters, and other social platforms to maximize your reach.
[Read more: Video Strategies for Marketing Your Small Business: Short-Form vs. Long-Form Videos]
Regardless of which platforms you choose for your video content, it's important to be adaptable and stay informed of updates.
"Now is not the time to make any permanent decisions about your social media strategy, particularly when it comes to TikTok," Machado told CO—. "Keep up to date on where your audience is traveling to, what platforms are growing, who owns them, and what is happening on them."
The more adaptable you are, the better positioned your business will be to future-proof its marketing strategy and maintain strong connections with its audience — regardless of where they move next.
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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