Many creators are concerned about the possibility of TikTok getting banned in America and, subsequently, their livelihoods getting squashed. Creators with a few years under their belts know how quickly platforms can shift. What mattered in 2021 might be irrelevant now. So, if the ban comes through, what alternatives there are?
MSN
Here’s the platform not many are talking about, that’s making creators money from day 1.
Microsoft has opened up MSN as a distribution platform for short and long-form videos. Think of it as the early YouTube days: low competition, massive built-in audience (via Bing, Microsoft News, Outlook), and huge revenue upside.
We onboarded dozens of our partners there and within a few months saw rather high results. One fitness channel went from $300/month on YouTube to $4,500/month on MSN. Why? Because it has 2 billion users, low competition, pushes content across its entire ecosystem, and pays you for every view, globally.
It's still invite-only, and the curation bar is a bit higher. As an official partner, AIR can get you in.
YouTube Shorts
Although it’s true that many YouTube Shorts were inspired by TikTok, Shorts is an entirely different beast, the one that’s heavily favored by the YouTube algorithm. However, it would be a mistake to treat YouTube Shorts as disposable content that’s only there as attention bait.
YouTube Shorts is a bridge to long-form content. And, albeit similar to TikTok, it shouldn’t be used in the exact same way.
It would work as a TikTok alternative, but it’s better to invest into long-form + short-form content for a sustainable growth.
Bonus: Repurpose.io is giving you 3 months free to turn your TikToks into YouTube Shorts.
RedNote (Xiaohongshu)
Since the beginning of TikTok concerns, a lot of creators from the platform started looking for a suitable alternative. Many looked East, to China, and found a platform that was somewhat similar to TikTok, and yet quite different from it.
Meet RedNote. Since it’s a Chinese-based platform, there is a lot of censorship in place. However, the platform is still fairly similar in functionality to TikTok and many people, who don’t have politically affiliated content, moved there already.
RedNote is a platform with a big presence in China, which is why it’s a rather popular choice among American creators.
If you wish to further explore the Chinese market, we could help you out! Reach out and we’ll talk all about the opportunities you can be presented with.
Instagram Reels
Instagram’s algorithm has been a rollercoaster, sure. But Reels can still be used to your advantage and, who knows, could potentially replace TikTok. However, due to the differences in algorithm, it’s better to edit Reels separately from videos for TikTok. Perhaps even split longer videos into parts for better discoverability and attention from the audience.
One of our partners in the storytelling niche doubled their engagement by doing just that: splitting longer narratives across three Reels, all released within 24 hours. The watch-through rate across parts 2 and 3? 40% higher than their standalone content.
Pinterest Idea Pins
Creators have been sleeping on Pinterest for years. Why so? Well, Pinterest content doesn’t expire. Idea Pins (essentially vertical videos with interactive elements) can keep driving traffic months after they’re published. And for creators in niches like beauty, food, DIY, fitness, and fashion this could be a whole asset bank.
If you truly want an alternative to TikTok, Pinterest deserves a test phase. Who knows, your content could hit big there!
Snapchat Spotlight
Spotlight exploded during the TikTok hype, but here’s the thing: it still rewards vertical short-form videos, especially those in humor, lifestyle, and viral challenge territory.
But unlike TikTok, the competition is way thinner. Creators consistently report monetization wins from Spotlight, especially those who upload daily.
If your content hits that dopamine sweet spot in under 30 seconds, and you're looking to diversify reach and income without starting from scratch - it’s worth investing a few weeks to test and track.
Triller
Triller is not a TikTok clone, but it’s still a viable choice for Music-heavy creators. It offers tight music licensing deals, which can be huge for dancers, musicians, and artists alike. They’ve locked down partnerships with major labels and music talent (Universal, Sony, Warner). They have built-in monetization through branded content and Triller TV (live show-style streams).
Triller is actively trying to position itself as a media company, not just a social platform. However, despite all of its upsides, discoverability is low unless you’re part of a creator deal or already have a vast brand. If you’re in music or live performance, there’s real upside. But if you're in DIY, education, or vlogging - pass.
Facebook Reels
If you’re not already publishing Reels on Facebook, you’re missing out. While Instagram’s monetization tools can fluctuate, Facebook Reels still pays reliably via ad revenue share and performance bonuses. You can post the Reels you already make for Instagram or Shorts without an extra load of labor.
Facebook pays better CPMs than TikTok ever did, especially in the U.S., Canada, and Germany. The audience skews older, which is a win if you’re in fitness, parenting, finance, or lifestyle.
Clapper
Clapper is anti-algorithm by design, which might sound counterintuitive, but here’s why this approach works for them. Your growth depends more on community and engagement than trend-hopping. No sound trends, no FYP tricks. Creators keep 100% of their livestream and tipping income.
You’re not fighting against Tik-Tok style content farms: Clapper favors niche, longer short-form (60-180 seconds) and real talks. The audience is older and more U.S.-centric. Clapper is what TikTok used to be in 2019. It’s worth testing out if you’re burned out by trend-chasing.
Fanbase
Fanbase is essentially TikTok + Patreon + Instagram all in one, with a mission to put ownership and monetization fully in creator’s hands. You post regular content and lock premium behind a paywall. There’s also livestream tipping, audio rooms, and a feed-based interface. You keep 90% of the revenue, the fanbase supports you so the revenue is flexible and you don’t even need millions of views to achieve good earnings.
So far from what had been happening around TikTok and some other social media gave us another confirmation that relying solely on one platform is a sure way to lose. Platforms change, algorithms shift. What stays is your ability to adapt to new circumstances. So adapt!
Dip into other platforms, don’t stop on one thing. Build lasting strategies that will keep you afloat regardless of what happens. If you’re still unsure, let’s talk! We can help nudge you in the most profitable direction for your channel!