What’s Lemon8 All About?

Lemon8 is a social media platform made by Heliophilia, a company under ByteDance, the same crew that brought us TikTok and CapCut. It’s all about sharing beautiful, curated photos and videos around lifestyle and hobbies. If you’re into aesthetics and keeping it real, this app is your new go-to. The popular posts here? “How-to” videos and niche topics—think DIY crafts, beauty hacks, or cool recipes. And yes, the name “Lemon8” sounds like “lemonade” for a reason. Just like how lemonade is a refreshing drink, Lemon8 is a refreshing take on social media. 🍋 Lemon8 first launched in Japan in 2020 and has expanded to countries like Thailand, the UK, and even the U.S. By 2023, the app had over 16 million downloads since its launch! That same year, the countries with the most downloads were Japan, which racked up 7.6 million, followed by Thailand with 6.5 million, and the U.S. with 2.6 million.

How Did Lemon8 Start?

Some say ByteDance wanted to compete with a Chinese app called Xiaohongshu (RED), which is like China’s Instagram, but with more focus on lifestyle for young women. For the West, Lemon8 aims for a similar audience: young women, especially those into fashion and beauty. There’s also buzz that ByteDance launched Lemon8 as part of a strategy to deal with the TikTok ban in the US. To encourage more users, Influencers were reportedly asked to post about the app using fun lemon emojis, and Lemon8 suddenly started trending all over TikTok!🍋🍋Even with all the hype and speculation, Lemon8 is quickly proving to be a cool space for businesses and creators alike.

What can you do?

Lemon8 is like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest rolled into one. You can post photos, videos, comment, like, and save your favorite content. You can even follow your favorite creators and use hashtags to discover content. The app is easy to use, especially if you’ve spent time on any of these platforms. But here’s what sets it apart: it’s very information-driven—more like Pinterest—so it’s all about sharing and discovering ideas, whether it's fashion tips, home decor inspo, or travel spots. You can download Lemon8 for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play. While there’s a desktop version, the app offers the best experience.

Who is on Lemon8?

Lemon8 is catching the attention of both Gen Z and Millennials. According to Epidemic Sound, the app’s users break down like this:

27.23% are between the ages of 25-34
19.78% are ages 35-44
18.85% fall into the 18-24 range

In terms of gender, Lemon8 is pretty balanced, with 52.79% of users being female and 47.21% male, according to Daxue Consulting. So, no matter who you are, there’s a good chance you’ll find content that speaks to you!

Lemon8 vs Tiktok, Instagram, and Pinterest

If you’re familiar with apps like TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest, Lemon8 will feel like a mash-up of all three, but with its own unique twist.

For You Page & Following Page: Just like TikTok, Lemon8 has two main feeds: the "Following" page, where you can check out posts from creators you follow, and the "For You" page, which serves up content based on your likes and interests. The more you engage, the smarter the algorithm gets at showing you exactly what you want.

Algorithm: It uses the same advanced tech as TikTok, so your feed becomes more personalized the more you use it. It's all about creating that super-tailored experience.

Aesthetic Focus: Lemon8 really leans into an aesthetic that’s all about keeping things light, cozy, and visually appealing. Think of it like Pinterest, but with more curated content that looks like it belongs on your vision board—especially if you're into fashion, lifestyle, and DIY content.

Categories to Explore: Unlike TikTok, Lemon8’s "For You" page has categories like “Recipe” or “Travel” that you can easily toggle through to find content that matches your interests. So, it’s not just mindless scrolling—it’s curated discovery, similar to Pinterest.

Headlines: One unique feature of Lemon8 is the use of headlines—a quick summary or teaser at the top of posts that gives users a sneak peek into the content. These headlines act as a hook, encouraging users to click and dive deeper into the post, much like a teaser on Pinterest’s pins or Instagram’s post captions.

Hashtags: Lemon8 allows up to 10 hashtags per post, so it's important to choose wisely. Do your own research to find the hashtags relevant to your industry. One tip: since the app is still fairly new, you don’t have to rely solely on niche hashtags—popular ones can work too. Experiment with different combinations and see what works best for your content!

Post Design: The app has an amazing editing toolkit that helps you achieve a polished "editorial" look for your posts. You can use their templates and built-in design tools to make your content stand out. Plus, Influencer Marketing Factory mentions that social media platforms prefer when you use their tools, so it’s a smart move!

Less Auto-Scroll, More Engagement: Lemon8 feels more like Instagram’s "Explore" page, where you see part of the caption and can dive deeper into the post. It's not about quick-hit videos like TikTok; it’s more about inspiration-driven content that encourages you to explore ideas, brands, and influencers in depth. Creator-Centric and Influencer-Driven: Lemon8 puts a spotlight on creators. That means if you’re an influencer (or want to be one), this app is a goldmine for connecting with brands. Companies are already using Lemon8 to find influencers who can promote their products, making it a hotspot for influencer marketing.

Privacy & Safety: What You Need to Know

Like most social apps, Lemon8 collects data—such as your location, photos, and app activity—to personalize your experience. The good news? All this data is encrypted for safety. Plus, you can choose to delete your data whenever you want. Lemon8’s terms of service also set a clear standard: harmful content and bad behavior are not allowed, and users who break the rules could be banned. This helps keep the platform safe and welcoming.

Can You Make Money on Lemon8?

Currently, Lemon8 doesn’t have a way for creators to directly earn money. There’s no verification system yet, which means there’s potential for fake accounts. It also doesn’t offer advertising at the moment, but that could change as the app continues to grow. However, with its heavy focus on influencers, businesses are already leveraging the platform to promote products, so opportunities for creators might be just around the corner.

How can Lemon8 help small businesses?

1. Take Advantage of Its Locality Feature

Lemon8’s "For You" page isn’t just personalized—it’s super localized! According to Influencer Marketing Factory, this is a huge plus for local businesses. You can team up with a local influencer to create cool campaigns that highlight your spot. For example, you could have a post like “Spend the Day with Me at XYZ Spa” or even start a Lemon8 Diary that shows off your business's daily vibe. It’s a fun and easy way to connect with people in your area.

2. Be an Early Adopter

Let’s be real—when a new app drops, the first reaction might be, “Should I really try this out?” But being an early adopter can be a game-changer! If you jump in early and figure out how Lemon8 works, you’ll be ahead of the game when it gets even more popular. That means you can plan your marketing strategies way more efficiently and ride the wave as it grows. Start now, and you’ll have a head start!

3. Dive into Influencer Marketing

Lemon8 is packed with micro-influencers (those with around 900-3,000 followers), which is awesome for small businesses. Why? Because partnering with them now could give you long-term benefits! As their follower count grows, your past campaigns with them could blow up, too. So, this is the perfect time to explore influencer marketing and build relationships with creators who might become the next big thing. It's like getting in on a trend before it goes viral!

Is Lemon8 the one for you?

The answer depends on your marketing strategy and target audience, but there’s a lot to be excited about! Keep in mind that Lemon8 is a lifestyle-based app. If your content fits into categories like beauty, wellness, home, and food, then you’re in luck—you can definitely make great use of the app!

However, consider who your audience is. If you’re targeting a more mature, business-focused crowd, this app might not be the best fit for you. Also, think about the app’s aesthetic. If your brand aligns with an editorial style, give Lemon8 a try and fully utilize its features!

Don’t worry if you’re still getting familiar with the app; since it’s new, there’s plenty of time to explore and discover all it has to offer. Take your time, and you might just find that Lemon8 is the refreshing twist you didn’t know you needed. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the stylish world of Lemon8!