What this means for Buffer and how manufacturers and marketers can prepare

For those who work in social media, it is nothing new to adapt and alter your technique primarily based on ever-changing algorithms and the rise and fall of social networks. (Who else was on Vine? 🙋🏻‍♀️) However, after all, we hope you do not have to.

The most recent wave for social media entrepreneurs and creators is that TikTok has been banned within the US, because the app’s Chinese language guardian firm, ByteDance, did not part out by 2025.

On April 24, 2024, President Joe Biden signed a invoice that may ban TikTok if ByteDance fails to promote inside 9 months (though the president can prolong this deadline by one other 90 days).

As an alternative, TikTok promised in an announcement (and a TikTok) that they plan to problem the regulation in court docket. In different circumstances, it may delay a possible ban by many extra months – though the US authorities calls it a nationwide safety problem, it may velocity up authorized motion significantly.

@tiktok

Response to TikTok Ban Invoice

♬ Unique Sound – TikTok

Nevertheless, it was introduced that the enchantment failed as a US appeals court docket upheld the regulation on Friday, December 6, 2024.

It is a shock because the short-form video app has turn into probably the most extensively used social media platforms, with greater than 170 million customers within the US alone, and is credited with influencing developments and cultural shifts.

At Buffer, many individuals in our neighborhood benefit from our TikTok schedule of their social media methods. So, what does the ban on TikTok within the US imply for you and how are you going to put together? We are going to attempt to reply this query beneath.

Why was TikTok banned?

The ban stems from an ongoing battle within the US over privateness issues for Chinese language-owned firms. Now, TikTok’s guardian firm should promote or face being banned within the US.

What does the ban imply for Buffer customers within the US?

If ByteDance would not decommission TikTok, does that imply the app will instantly disappear from US units as soon as the deadline passes? Most likely not – however it should disappear from the iOS and Android app shops, which means no US customers will have the ability to obtain updates – finally making the app out of date.

Nevertheless, the ban doesn’t have an effect on Buffer customers – we’ll nonetheless present it as a platform that you may hook up with.

There is no such thing as a precedent for the US banning an app outright, so this may occasionally change sooner or later. What occurs to TikTok accounts linked to US-based Buffer customers will rely on any motion taken by the US authorities or TikTok.

We are going to hold updating this weblog put up to study extra.

How can entrepreneurs and creators put together for a TikTok ban?

There are nonetheless many unknowns, however advance preparation definitely will not harm. Listed here are some steps you’ll be able to take to start out making ready in case TikTok will get banned.

1. Obtain all of your TikTok movies

Whether or not TikTok will get banned or not, it is a good suggestion to again up your content material, as you do not need to lose all the nice movies you have created thus far. For those who use Buffer to put up your content material to TikTok, you may have entry to your entire content material within the Posts tab.

If you wish to go the additional step, it can save you your movies to your cellphone’s digicam roll or add them to a cloud storage service like Dropbox.

The way to obtain your TikTok movies:

1. Click on on the video you need to obtain
2. Click on on the three dots within the decrease proper nook
3. Click on “Save Video”.

You may see a affirmation that your video is downloading and when it is completed saving.

Downloading movies means you may have entry to them if you wish to repost them on different social channels — a wise social media technique we advocate.

2. Inform your viewers the place else to seek out you

If TikTok is the place most of your viewers is, you may need to inform them the place else they’ll discover you for those who or they lose entry to the app. Ensure you share high different social networks and owned channels, equivalent to your web site, hyperlink in bio and publication, to allow them to keep in contact.

This is an instance from UnderTheDeskNews, who speak concerning the potential TikTok ban and level their listeners to their podcast.

@underthedesknews #tiktok #tiktokban #biden #socialmedia #breakingnews ♬ Unique Phrases – UnderTheDeskNews

3. Replace your hyperlink in bio

Replace the hyperlink in your bio in your TikTok profile to be an evergreen hyperlink. If TikTok is banned, there’s an opportunity you will not have the ability to replace this hyperlink, however worldwide viewers should still have the ability to see and click on it, so ensure it is a hyperlink you’ll be able to depart in your TikTok account.

We advocate utilizing Begin Web page as a fast and free link-in-bio software that you may hold up to date.

4. Evolve your social media advertising and marketing technique

If TikTok is a part of your total social media advertising and marketing technique, it is advisable begin making modifications once you or your viewers can not entry the app — and there isn’t any higher time to start out than now.

The excellent news is that for those who’ve been constantly creating video content material for TikTok, you have already executed a lot of the work — our knowledge reveals that video is one of the best sort of content material for attain and engagement throughout all social media platforms.

Instagram reels and YouTube shorts are most just like TikTok, and Fb reels are additionally a promising channel to discover. LinkedIn, too, is increasing its video options, so that you may need to look there if that is sensible in your target market.

TikTok probably being banned can be an unfriendly reminder of the significance of rising audiences on platforms and companies which might be beneath your management. Now is an effective time to maintain your web site updated, arrange with a link-in-bio software, and ensure you’re utilizing your publication to its full potential.

This case remains to be fluid, and we have no idea what the result shall be. For now, one of the best factor to do is to remain knowledgeable and put together for potential modifications. We’ll hold this weblog put up up to date as we study extra