ByteDance is using its Lemon8 app to counter potential bans on its popular social network, TikTok. Launched in 2020 by Heliophilia and ByteDance, Lemon8 is a photo-focused social network similar to Instagram that has seen a 19 percent increase in users in March, according to data from Apptopia reported by the New York Post.

The growth of Lemon8 can be attributed to the presence of influencers who ByteDance is reportedly paying to use and promote the app. This strategy may be ByteDance’s response to the possibility of a ban on TikTok in the United States, following a bill passed in the House of Representatives that could force ByteDance to sell TikTok.

In an effort to navigate potential challenges with TikTok, ByteDance is leveraging influencers on Lemon8 to maintain a presence in the social media landscape. This tactic allows the company to explore new opportunities and reach audiences in different ways. With the future of TikTok uncertain, ByteDance is adapting its strategies to ensure its continued success in the social media market.