A noticeable number of users are deleting TikTok and checking out a smaller, independent short-video app instead.
This shift started after TikTok faced technical problems that affected how the app worked for many people.
For more context, see our coverage of Social Media Trends 2026.
Key Developments
Users reported issues like videos not loading properly, view counts freezing, and the app feeling unstable. For creators, this was frustrating because their content
stopped reaching people the way it usually does. Some users said the app felt unreliable and decided to step away.
TikTok later explained that the problems were linked to a power issue at one of its data centers.
Background and Context
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Even so, the damage was already done for some users. When a social app stops working smoothly, people start looking for backups fast.
At the same time, there has been growing discomfort among some users around moderation rules and how content is handled.
What Experts Are Saying
While this was not the main trigger, it added to the feeling that TikTok no longer feels the same as before for everyone.
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Because of this, users began downloading an indie short-video platform that feels familiar but more relaxed. The app works in a TikTok-style format.
What This Means
Short videos, vertical feed, scrolling content. The difference is that it is run by a much smaller team and focuses more on community and
creator support.
This indie app has fewer users, but some people like that. The feed feels less crowded, creators feel more visible, and the platform promotes
features like direct creator support and live interaction. It feels slower, quieter, and more personal compared to TikTok’s fast-moving algorithm.
Right now, this is not a mass exit from TikTok. It is more of a signal. When big platforms stumble, even briefly, users are
willing to try something new. It also shows that smaller apps can still grab attention if the timing is right.
Whether these users stick around long term is still unclear. But the situation proves one thing. In social media, loyalty is fragile, and performance matters more than size.
Also read:
Sources and Further Reading
Learn more at TechCrunch.
Learn more at The Verge.
Learn more at Wired.
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