Finally, TikTok’s Fall Is Here (And, as an artist, I love it!)

The great TikTok earthquake of 2025 happened. My first article of the year—what a start!

The app that convinced a generation they were all filmmakers, dancers, and singers, and launched a thousand cringey short videos, is no more.

One minute, it was dominating every screen; the next, it was gone. For millions of creators, businesses, and anyone who relied on TikTok to stay relevant, it’s a shock. The fallout? People are scrambling to figure out what comes next, like digital nomads looking for a new home. They call themselves “TikTok Refugees.”

Beyond the headlines, what does TikTok’s demise mean? Is this a moment to rethink our relationship with platforms—or just another shift in a never-ending cycle?

Let me tell the tale.

Rednote: The Red Buoy

I didn’t see the shift coming. I thought we’d return to the usual suspects: Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat.

Enter Rednote. This Chinese app—part Pinterest, part TikTok—is where millions of displaced TikTok users have rushed, making it the number one social app almost overnight on the Apple Store. It’s like the internet-age version of The Grapes of Wrath: users hitch their wagons to a new promised land, hoping for salvation.

Rednote feels familiar but fresh. Its tools let creators craft visually stunning content, while its vibe is all about discovery. But let’s not kid ourselves—Rednote doesn’t solve the issues TikTok left behind. It’s the same algorithm-driven, attention-grabbing machine with a slightly different filter.

As businesses and creators flock to Rednote, the question isn’t whether it’s the next big thing—it’s whether we’ve learned anything from TikTok’s fall. Are we repeating the same cycle with a shinier coat of paint?

When Platforms Disappear: What Happens to Creators?

TikTok’s shutdown is a wake-up call. For years, it blurred the lines between creativity and commodification, giving artists and brands unprecedented reach. But it came with a dark side: reliance on algorithms, the fragility of digital success, trend surfing, and the commodification of creators.

Here’s the harsh reality: Many creators built their entire careers on TikTok. When it disappears, so does its audience. It’s a brutal reminder that digital fame is tied to platforms, not people.

Artists in the trenches, who spread their presence across LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon—like me—are weathering the storm. But the ones who went all-in on TikTok? They’re struggling.

In my opinion, this isn’t new. I’ve seen trends rise and fall, and platforms come and go (MySpace, Vine…). The only constant is the need to create work that connects—work that resonates beyond algorithms and trends.

The Allure of Instant Gratification

My big problem with TikTok and apps like it? They make things easy—too easy.

Back when I gave TikTok a shot, I was blown away by how quickly content could gain traction. A video I spent hours creating got more engagement than anything I’d posted on Instagram or YouTube—and I don’t even want to talk about LinkedIn.

But something felt off. People weren’t engaging with the art itself. The comments were as shallow as they come. Sure, it was a connection, but who were those mysterious users? I had no control over who was seeing my art, no clue about their stories, and no way to truly connect outside of inbox messaging.

An artist in the dark, gallery-like interactions—if you know me, you know I have an aversion to most galleries out there. It made me question what kind of relationship I wanted with my audience. So I posted a few videos to give it a shot and then stayed away, redirecting my energy to LinkedIn and Instagram.

Pretty young women fell for it. Trapped in their mirror reflections and gathering simps' clicks. Nothing really to push beyond the good looks. With the TikTok money, they bought new cars and new houses. We have this problem everywhere, and LinkedIN is no exception. Good looks and sex sell.

Rednote offers almost the same seductive promise: quick likes, fast growth, and viral moments. I said almost because Chinese people don't play. If you show some skin or cleavage, you'll get banned. If you talk about government or politics they will shut your account down. Culture shock.

Beyond TikTok and Rednote: What Creators Need

Here’s the truth: Rednote might be the next big thing, but it’s just another platform chasing the same formula.

Data privacy concerns? Check. Algorithm dependence? Double check. A system built to favor short-term trends over long-term impact? Absolutely.

For creators, the challenge is learning to build something that lasts. Something meaningful. Something that doesn’t rely on the whims of an algorithm.

I’ve shifted my focus to platforms like Patreon, where I can connect directly with my audience. My ride-or-die fans know, love, support me, and rock with my artistry.

Building a community, one intentional interaction at a time. Not for the money (even though it's important) but for the feeling of achieving something meaningful and inspiring people. I don’t want to be a trend or go viral overnight. I want to feel the hardships, go through the fire, and take no shortcuts. That’s what I love about making art.

What Does This Mean for the Future?

TikTok’s fall is a moment of reckoning for all of us. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about how we consume, create, and connect online.

Platforms will come and go. Trends will rise and fade. But the need for genuine connection? That’s timeless.

I think about this young generation who don’t open books anymore, don’t go to libraries, and don’t know the joys of crate digging.

Coming back home, putting that record on a spin—the act of seeking out art and culture.

Stepping out of the comfort zone.

What we have is short attention spans Gen Z, who don't travel, don't question things, and know everything by age 12 because TikTok taught them. Mind you, It's normal, I was full of certitudes in my teenage years but I didn't get that from the internet.

I have many friends in China, one of whom I randomly said hi to on a bus ride back in France, only to realize he lived next to my house! Art has led me to many places, and I’m still learning. I can’t wait to visit China again—the country I fell in love with as a kid when I had a special Kung Fu VHS tape in heavy rotation.

No need for another trendy app that shows me 60 seconds of what could be. I want the whole story, the raw and unabridged version.

Speaking of unabridged, do you want to read the rest of this article?

I’ve written a deeper dive into this story here on my Patreon: https://shorturl.at/XenTg

exploring the rise of Rednote, the lessons from TikTok’s demise, and what creators and businesses can do to navigate this ever-changing digital landscape.

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