EXCLUSIVE: TikTok was officially banned in the US over the weekend, and concerns are growing that the UK could be next – but experts have recommended the best alternatives
TikTok fans in the UK could be hit with a ban similar to the short-lived one in the United States over the weekend. Social media boffins at Improve My Search Ranking have found a whopping 1000% spike in Brits Googling “TikTok UK ban,” as fears mount that the UK could follow.
Despite months of warnings, US TikTokkers woke up to a message on Saturday stating: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now.”
The app vanished from stores, leaving millions of Stateside TikTokers in the lurch, however it returned before the end of the day after about-to-be US President Donald Trump came to an arrangement to allow for its return.
On X, they wrote: “In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive.
“It’s a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship. We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”
Trump had always been pro-TikTok, according to his previous social media posts. Just hours before the move from TikTok, Trump posted to Truth Social calling for the app to remain available.
However, there are now concerns over a similar ban hitting the UK. Josh Hamit, managing director of Improve My Search Ranking, shared his insights on the situation: “The recent events in the U.S. show that a TikTok ban isn’t just a hypothetical—it’s already happening. If TikTok were to face similar restrictions in the UK, the impact on users would be significant.
“That’s why now is the time to explore alternative platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat Spotlight.For casual users, diversifying where you consume content will help ensure you’re not left out if the app becomes inaccessible. For businesses and creators, moving onto multiple platforms is essential to maintain visibility and engagement with your audience.”
The thought of losing TikTok might be a daunting prospect for some, but there are several alternative platforms that can offer a similar experience. Here are the top options to consider:
- Instagram Reels
- YouTube Shorts
- Snapchat Spotlight
- Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)
- Triller