What is TikTok and who uses it?
TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos, usually set to music or with creative filters and effects. Users can film videos up to 60 seconds on TikTok, and the platform is best known for fun, viral dance and comedy videos.
TikTok has become one of the fastest growing social platforms, with over 1 billion monthly active users as of September 2022 (source). The app sees a young user base, with over 50% of users between the ages of 10 and 29. In particular, teens make up a significant portion of TikTok’s audience. Back in August 2022, internal TikTok research found that 32.5% of its users were aged between 10 and 19 (source).
Given the popularity of TikTok among younger audiences, concerns have been raised around mature content. Critics argue that TikTok does not do enough to limit inappropriate content and protect underage users. There are ongoing calls for TikTok to strengthen its age verification measures and parental control options.
Why are some seeking an adult alternative to TikTok?
TikTok has exploded in popularity among users of all ages, but its terms of service strictly prohibit sexually explicit content to protect younger users. As a result, some adult content creators and viewers desire an alternative platform where they can freely produce and access mature content without the risk of exposing minors.
TikTok bans videos showing nudity, depictions of sexual activities, and other adult content. Users who violate these rules may have their videos removed or their accounts suspended. While these policies aim to provide a safe environment for teenagers and children, they alienate adult users looking for more risque short-form video content.
Adult TikTok alternatives promise creators more creative freedom to post explicit content and connect with adult audiences. They allow users to produce and view mature videos without worrying about account bans or policy violations. Most importantly, these platforms restrict access to adults only, reducing the chance of inappropriate content reaching underage users.
In summary, the desire for an adult version of TikTok stems from creators and viewers seeking short-form videos with mature themes without compromising the safety of younger audiences. Adult-oriented platforms satisfy this demand while upholding standards to protect minors from explicit content.
TikTok’s Policies on Adult Content
TikTok’s Community Guidelines outline the platform’s policies on sensitive and mature content. While some artistic mature content is allowed, overtly sexual videos and images are prohibited. According to the guidelines, “Content is age-restricted if it shows seductive performances or sexualized posing intended for adult audiences.”
TikTok aims to limit mature content so it is only viewed by adult audiences ages 18 and older. As stated in their general Community Guidelines, “However, not all of it may be suitable for younger audiences. We limit overtly mature content so it is only viewed by adults 18 years and older.”
Specifically, TikTok bans nudity, pornography, and sexually explicit content on their platform. Their guidelines for creators state: “Nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content are not allowed on our platform. Any content that depicts or supports non-consensual sexual acts, the sharing of private sexual images or videos, or adult services will be removed.”
TikTok employs both automated systems and human moderators to identify and remove content that violates these policies. The platform has ramped up efforts to restrict adult content and limit underage access in response to criticism and regulatory pressure.
What are some TikTok alternatives for adult users?
There are a few emerging apps that are positioning themselves as adult alternatives to TikTok. Here are some of the top contenders:
Lasso
Lasso is a short form video app created by Facebook that has been described as a PG version of TikTok. While Lasso does not allow sexually explicit content, its policies are more relaxed compared to TikTok. Lasso allows some nudity in videos and has been growing a community of adult content creators (source). However, Lasso has a much smaller user base than TikTok.
Triller
Triller markets itself as an AI-powered music video app and has emerged as a top contender vying to be the adult alternative to TikTok. Triller is more open than TikTok in the content it allows – including some nudity and sexual content. It has grown a sizable adult creator community. Triller claims to have over 250 million downloads worldwide (source).
Dubsmash
Dubsmash is a video messaging app where users can create short lip-sync videos. While not marketed specifically as an adult platform, Dubsmash does have very relaxed policies allowing nudity and sexual content. It has served as a refuge for some adult creators who have been banned on TikTok. However, Dubsmash has seen declining popularity over the years.
Lasso as a TikTok Alternative
Facebook launched Lasso in late 2018 as a standalone video app to directly compete with the hugely popular TikTok. As described by TechCrunch, Lasso allowed users to record and share short videos set to music, similar to TikTok, and offered features like stickers, filters, and hashtags.
Unlike TikTok, Lasso was more permissive regarding mature content and allowed adult creators to post more risque videos. While TikTok relies heavily on algorithmic recommendations, Lasso focused more on following friends and connections. However, Lasso struggled to build a sizable user base and never achieved meaningful growth. As reported by The Verge, Facebook is shutting Lasso down in July 2020, less than two years after its launch. While it aimed to directly compete with TikTok, Lasso failed to pose a real threat or become a viable alternative for adult creators seeking a platform without TikTok’s restrictions.
Triller as a TikTok Alternative
Triller is a leading alternative to TikTok, specifically designed to support adult creators and mature content. Launched in 2015, Triller allows users to create and share short music videos and has become popular among adult entertainers and users.
According to Wikipedia, Triller has over 250 million downloads and over 100 million monthly active users as of 2021. It provides tools to make professional-looking videos with effects, filters, and editing features [1].
While TikTok limits nudity and sexually suggestive content, Triller embraces this type of material by providing an 18+ section of the app. It has partnered with major adult industry brands and allows sexually explicit content within legal limits [2].
With its adult-friendly stance and growing user base, Triller can be a good alternative for adult creators looking for more creative freedom beyond TikTok.
Dubsmash as a TikTok alternative
Dubsmash, which launched in 2014, was one of the first short-form video apps before the rise of TikTok. It gained popularity as a platform for lip-syncing and dancing videos, and was known for being more oriented towards adult content compared to other apps at the time. Dubsmash supported adult creators that produced more provocative and mature content that was often banned on other platforms.
The Dubsmash app provided a similar user experience to TikTok in terms of creating and sharing short videos with music and effects. Users could film videos up to 20 seconds, and add audio snippets and AR effects. The app featured trending challenges and sounds that creators could participate in. Dubsmash videos lived separately though, not in one scrolling feed like on TikTok.
At its peak in 2016, Dubsmash had over 100 million downloads and raised $58 million in funding. While it saw fast initial growth, by 2018 TikTok had overtaken it in popularity. In 2020, Dubsmash had around 1/50th the number of downloads compared to TikTok. By the end of 2020, the Dubsmash app was shut down and the company itself was acquired by Reddit to work on video initiatives across Reddit’s platforms.
Other emerging TikTok alternatives
While Triller and Dubsmash have established a strong user base already, some new apps are emerging as potential competitors in this space.
Byte, launched in early 2020, is a video-sharing app created by the same founders as Vine. It allows users to upload short looping videos up to 6 seconds, similar to TikTok. Byte has a more creator-focused design and provides tools to help content creators grow their audience. Though Byte has a much smaller user base than TikTok so far, its familiar interface and focus on influencers could help it gain traction.
Clash is another newcomer on the short-form video scene. Launched by a former Vine creator, it provides easy video editing tools and a TikTok-like feed. Clash is currently in a limited beta release but aims to differentiate itself through content quality control and a rewards system for top creators.
YouTube Shorts allows people to make and watch short videos right on YouTube. As an offering by the most popular online video platform, YouTube Shorts already benefits from a huge built-in audience. While it lacks some of TikTok’s community features, YouTube Shorts makes it incredibly easy for users to create content. Given YouTube’s resources and reach, it has the potential to draw users away from TikTok.
Though still in their infancy, apps like Byte, Clash, and YouTube Shorts show promise as TikTok competitors. Their familiar formats and focus on influencer content could help them gain a following in the short-form video space.
Which alternative is right for you?
When deciding which adult TikTok alternative to use, consider your preferences and needs to choose the platform that’s the best fit.
Lasso offers a very similar overall experience to TikTok, with short videos and fun filters. If you’re looking for something familiar, Lasso is a great option. However, its user base is still growing, so you may not find as much content diversity as the other options.
Triller and Dubsmash shine for their music and lip-sync capabilities. Triller excels at short music videos while Dubsmash is better for funny lip-sync content. Dubsmash also has a more niche, quirky vibe compared to the polished social media feel of Triller.
Newer platforms like Lomotif are less established but growing. They can be a good alternative if you want to get in early on a new platform. However, their smaller user base means less content variety for now.
Consider which features matter most – music, filters, lip syncing? Think about the types of content you want to produce and engage with. This will help point you towards the ideal platform to meet your adult content needs.
The future of adult content platforms
The market outlook for TikTok competitors in the adult space looks promising, as demand for adult-focused platforms continues to grow. According to SensorTower (https://sensortower.com/blog/tiktok-competitors-market-share-growth), TikTok’s competitors captured 44% of downloads among top video sharing apps in August 2022, indicating strong interest in alternative platforms. The competitors are expected to continue gaining market share as more adult content creators and viewers seek TikTok alternatives that embrace adult content.
In the future, TikTok alternatives may implement policies that are more permissive of adult material, as long as it doesn’t violate the law. Platforms like Lasso, Triller, and Dubsmash may specifically cater their features and guidelines to adult creators and users. At the same time, larger social media apps like Facebook could create spin-off apps that allow mature content in a separate environment. As new platforms emerge in this space, competition may foster innovations in areas like age verification, content moderation, and user customization.
While the future is uncertain, the demand for adult apps seems unlikely to disappear. TikTok competitors will need to focus on trust and safety while offering users more freedom than mainstream platforms. Companies that can balance these factors may establish themselves as leading adult-focused apps in the years to come.
