ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is generating considerable hype around its new app Lemon8 in the U.S. and U.K. However, some have questioned whether this sudden surge in popularity is organic or an attempt to downplay the controversy surrounding TikTok's recent dispute with Congress.
Lemon8 has quickly become the number one most downloaded free lifestyle app in the Apple App Store. After launching in Japan in 2020, Lemon8 has since expanded to the U.S. and U.K. as well as countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Reuters reports that Lemon8 is ByteDance's attempt to compete with Xiaohongshu (also known as Red in other countries like the U.S., Canada and Australia), a lifestyle recommendation and shopping app.
About Lemon8?
First launched in Japan in 2020, Lemon8 is a lifestyle app designed to enable users discover and purchase products in a fun and engaging way. The app's interface is similar to that of TikTok, with users swiping up and down to browse through the various videos. The name Lemon8 is derived from the Chinese word for "flash sale,".
Lemon8 is divided into two main sections: the "Explore" section and the "Store" section. In the Explore section, users can watch short videos of other users showcasing their favorite products. The videos are typically 15 seconds long and feature the user demonstrating the product and providing a brief review. Users can "like" and "comment" on the videos, and they can also follow other users whose content they enjoy.
In the Store section, users can browse through various products and purchase them directly through the app. The products available on Lemon8 are curated by the app's team of editors, who select the best products from various e-commerce platforms. The products range from fashion and beauty products to electronics and home goods.
Unique features of Lemon8
One of the unique features of Lemon8 is its "Group Buy" feature. This feature allows users to team up with friends or other users to purchase products at a discounted price. Users can create a group and invite others to join, and once the group reaches a certain number of members, they can purchase the product at a reduced price. This feature encourages social engagement and makes shopping on the app a more social experience.
Another interesting feature of Lemon8 is its "Lemon Coin" system. Users earn Lemon Coins by engaging with the app, such as by watching videos, liking and commenting on videos, and making purchases. These coins can then be used to purchase products on the app. This system incentivizes users to engage with the app and promotes loyalty among its user base.
Lemon8 is not the first social e-commerce platform", but it has several features that make it stand out from its competitors. The app's interface is user-friendly and engaging, and its curated selection of products ensures that users are only shown high-quality and popular items. The app's social features also make shopping on the app a more enjoyable and interactive experience.
Summary
Byte Dance has a proven track record of success with its apps, and the company is already investing heavily in Lemon8. The app has the potential to become a major player in the global e-commerce market, and it could represent a significant future revenue stream for the company and content creators in general.
With that said, the US and UK continue to express security concerns with apps owned by Chinese companies. Some of these concerns includes allegations that China can use apps like TikTok to spy on their customer base and even track customer location. It should be noted that none of these allegations have been substantiated yet.
A balance between innovation and data security still needs to be struck to ensure Lemon8 users have confidence that their personal data isn't being exploited in any form or manner.
Setting the political quagmire between China and the U.S./UK aside, Lemon8 does have the potential to integrate social media and e-commerce in ways that haven't been explored before. That plus the fact that Byte Dance is investing heavily in the marketing of this app could only mean the sky is limit for Lemon8. The lifestyle industry might just have a winner in Lemon8, and the world is watching in keen anticipation.
Is Lemon8 going to become another TikTok or a massive failure? Only time can tell, but things are looking great at the moment for Lemon8.
