It's the END of TikTok!
It's the END of TikTok!
In case you’ve been living under a social media rock (which btw if you are, what a freakin’ blessing!) earlier this year the U.S. government passed a law that could ban TikTok in the United States by September unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells it to an American buyer.
Since then ByteDance has made it clear that they’re not selling. That means TikTok could be removed from U.S. app stores, potentially limiting updates, downloads, and ultimately, usage.
And to get a bit more deep I do want to point out that this ban has gotten bipartisan support, a signed bill, and a ticking deadline. And peeps… September is coming fassssst.
Millions of creators have no idea what’s about to happen, but that’s where I come in. A brand-new U.S.-only app called M2 is launching on September to replace TikTok & if you’re not ready, you could lose your entire audience overnight (like literally):
So let’s dive into:
What is M2?
Why your views might drop instantly
3 hidden changes that will affect your reach
And how I’m teaching my students to prepare
So first things first… wtf is M2? In short, M2 is TikTok’s secret U.S.-only clone ( I know very espionage sounding but hey it’s the truth), launching September 5. It exists for one reason and one reason alone: to keep TikTok alive in America under a new legal framework.
How does it differ from TikTok?
M2 is hosted on U.S. servers (likely Oracle).
It's governed by a new ownership structure involving American investors.
It will replace TikTok for all U.S. users by early 2026 (I’m estimating March)
And here’s the clincher, creators who ignore M2 could lose access to updates, monetization, or even their audience as the migration unfolds. No bueno!
So if you’re a creator listen up, cause I got your gameplan:
1. TikTok is expected to prompt users to migrate, but it's not guaranteed your entire follower list will seamlessly carry over. Early access testers report needing to rebuild their following manually if they miss the switch window.
What to do:
Tell your followers now that a switch is coming.
Encourage them to follow you on multiple platforms (YouTube Shorts, Reels, your email list).
Use pinned videos and your bio to direct people to where you’ll be next.
2. The M2 feed will reportedly use a new recommendation engine optimized for U.S. data laws & early indicators suggest it may prioritize “safe” content and verified users.
That means:
Your top-performing TikToks might not perform the same (sorry buddy!)
Virality triggers (watch time, shares, sound usage) may shift.
What to do:
Start testing content now with a U.S.-centric lens.
Focus on original audio, clean metadata, and diverse formats.
Watch for early M2 creators getting boosted & learn fast (ps: don’t worry bc if you’re a paid subscriber here you’re gonna get all the updates FAST!)
3. Until M2 is fully launched and stable, expect some hesitation from brands. Many agencies are holding campaigns until Q4 to see how migration affects user data and engagement.
What to do:
Diversify revenue streams: affiliate links, SubStack, digital products.
Be proactive with your sponsors: update them on your platform plans.
Offer multiplatform bundles (ie, M2 + Reels + Shorts) to maintain value.
And btw guys, I’ve seen this before.
Back in 2020, when TikTok was just getting hot in the states, I told my students to get on and start using it consistently! A handful of people took it seriously… they posted consistently, learned the platform, and leaned in before it was mainstream.
I can safely say that they alllllll blew up and were able to double their income because now marketing budget was being shifted over to TikTok.
The ones who waited or flat out wiped their ass with my advice never caught up.
And I don’t say that to scare you but I am saying it because this whole movement feels similar to me.
Think of M2 as a clean slate. This could be a moment to not just hold on to your audience, but to actually grow something bigger than before.
Keep being subscribed and I’ll guide you throughout this major industry shift.
Don't forget to subscribe to my FREE Substack for more in-depth strategy, free messaging (can't wait to connect with you), exclusive videos, online course discounts, andddddd live video sessions.
XX Idalia