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Substack
The popular newsletter platform goes into video, launch a live video feature to all users on January 14th.
Substack began testing livestreaming features in the fall of 2024. The development moves Substack from a platform for text and audio content to video, positioning the company as an alternative to TikTok for creators who want to engage with their communities at a deeper level.
Pros: Substack has the ability to publish both short-form content and long-form content such as podcasts. There are also features for creators to monetize content and own their audience.
Cons: Discovery in Substack is a challenge. Live video is also only available on Substack’s mobile app, which has a smaller audience than the web. A media tab groups all of a creator’s content together instead of separating long-form and short-form content.
Clapper
On January 16, Clapper overtook RedNote and Lemon8-owned ByteDance as the third most popular social app in Apple’s App Store.
The short-form video app has experienced a surge in users amid the threat of a TikTok ban. Clapper founder Edison Chen said due date that app averages about 200,000 new downloads every week.
The app shares many similarities with TikTok, but there are some differences. Users must be at least 17 years old to sign up for Clapper while TikTok allows users as young as 13. Also, Clapper does not feature advertisements. Bita Motiie, Clapper’s chief operating officer, told Business Insider that Clapper takes a 30% commission. from some of the creator’s earnings and a 5% commission from sales on the Clapper Shop.
Pros: Clapper has a similar user experience and interface to TikTok with a “For You” page. There’s also a creator program, no ads to distract users, and a livestreaming capability.
Cons: Clapper’s algorithm does not reflect what content users interact with. The app’s users are also skewed toward Gen X and millennials.
