Let’s Break It Down! Ah, TikTok… the app that brought us viral dance moves, tiny cooking videos, and way too many late-night scrolls. It’s where creativity meets chaos, and honestly, we love it for that. But what if it just… disappeared? The buzz around banning TikTok in the U.S. has everyone from influencers to small business owners on edge. Creators have built million dollar followings. Small businesses leverage it for advertising and social sellers have embraced it as a way to connect with new audiences. Today, the Supreme Court indicated that it will likely uphold the ban scheduled to go into effect in just 9 days. So what would happen if TikTok suddenly disappeared?

1. Everyone would be scrambling for new homes. A ban would leave account creators standing on the virtual sidewalk with their content in hand, looking for the next platform to call home. Sure, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are nice, but they don’t have the same bingeable magic that makes TikTok so addictive. Beyond finding a magical new home, Account creators would need to bring their followers with them. That isn’t easy to do with so many platforms to choose from. Many could see their on-line empires disappear overnight along with TikTok. Hopefully those who struck it rich on TikTok have been planning ahead and not leaving all their eggs in one digital basket.

2. Small Businesses Would Lose Their Secret Weapon. TikTok has been a game-changer for small businesses. From handmade earrings to niche coffee brands, it’s a place where you can go viral overnight. Without TikTok, small businesses might struggle to afford ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, where reaching the same audience isn’t so easy. Many Social Sellers are barred ( by their companies) to even run paid ads. Say goodbye to your favorite “side hustle” accounts and hello to more boring ads clogging up your other feeds.

3. The Internet Would Feel Less Fun. Let’s face it—TikTok sets the tone for what’s cool. The app gave us “It’s corn!” and “Bing Bong!” (and if you don’t know those, we need to talk). Without it, trends would slow to a crawl. Instagram and YouTube might be viable options, but it just wouldn’t be the same. Plus, where else can you learn a life hack, laugh at a meme, and see a new recipe for baked feta pasta all in under a minute? Nowhere.

4. Tech Companies Would Get Competitive. If TikTok got shown the door, U.S. based companies would likely rush to fill the gap. And while competition is great, it takes time to build a platform that feels as effortlessly chaotic as TikTok. In the meantime, you’d probably see people awkwardly trying to make their mark on LinkedIn or returning to all but abandoned accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

5. The Big “Why” Behind the Ban. Even though TikTok feels like fun and games, serious concerns have been voiced for years over data privacy and national security. The parent company, ByteDance is a Chinese company. Ownership by a foreign (not so US friendly) country has the intelligence community deeply concerned. Any app runs the risk of compromising personal data but U.S. based apps face governmental scrutiny and oversight to help keep your data safe (in theory). We have no idea what kind of personal data TikTok might be collecting.

If TikTok does go dark, it will certainly leave a void in the social media world. Creators, social sellers and businesses will race to adjust their strategies, and we’ll all have to figure out where to go for our daily dose of internet happy. For now, TikTok’s fate is still up in the air as we wait on the Supreme Court.

If you are a creator, social seller or business relying on TikTok, it might be time to diversify your on-line presence. If you are a user, you may want to download some of your favorite videos and follow the accounts you love on other platforms. Happy scrolling everyone!

What do you think about the TikTok ban and where would you go if it disappeared? Drop your thoughts below!