Users Abandon TikTok for Emerging Indie Competitor
TikTok, facing significant challenges in its new U.S. entity, has experienced a notable increase in uninstalls. Technical difficulties affecting essential features like view counts and recommendation algorithms have frustrated many users. According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, TikTok has seen a 150% rise in app uninstalls over the past three months in the United States.
Rise in Uninstalls Amid Technical Issues
Despite a slight increase of around 2% in daily active users (DAUs), TikTok’s user engagement appears stagnant. The app’s management cited a power outage at a data center as the cause for the bugs impacting view counts and load times. However, no timeline has been provided for when these issues will be resolved.
Emergence of Competitor UpScrolled
As TikTok struggles, a new competitor, UpScrolled, has gained significant traction recently. This independent app is now the ninth most-downloaded in the U.S. App Store, and it ranks second among social applications, only behind Meta’s Threads.
- UpScrolled has seen approximately 41,000 downloads from Thursday to Saturday following TikTok’s tumultuous period.
- Overall, UpScrolled has been downloaded about 140,000 times since its launch last June.
- Before recent events, UpScrolled averaged fewer than 500 downloads daily.
This surge in popularity correlates closely with the ongoing issues at TikTok. The sudden influx of users has created challenges for UpScrolled as they ask users for patience during this growth period.
About UpScrolled
Developed by Australian entrepreneur Issam Hijazi, UpScrolled allows users to share photos and short videos, resembling Instagram in functionality. A standout feature is its chronological “following” feed, alongside a content recommendation system.
UpScrolled currently operates without advertisements, and its development is funded by Hijazi and a select group of investors. The company aims to cultivate an authentic and equitable user environment, addressing concerns about content visibility often seen on larger platforms.
Potential Shift in User Loyalty
This isn’t the first time TikTok’s challenges have opened doors for different apps. Previously, the Chinese app RedNote briefly dominated due to TikTok’s difficulties. However, RedNote’s popularity faded quickly once TikTok’s issues were resolved.
With TikTok now under new ownership and ongoing frustrations, the current environment may favor emerging platforms like UpScrolled. The company envisions providing users with a space where their contributions are valued and visible.
TikTok’s current predicament illustrates the ever-changing landscape of social media, where user loyalty may quickly shift in response to technical reliability and user experience.
