The recent ban on TikTok in the United States has left millions of creators and influencers scrambling to figure out their financial futures. For many, TikTok wasn’t just a fun platform to share content—it was a goldmine. Now, with the sudden disruption, influencers who made serious money through brand deals and sponsored posts are scrambling to keep their empires intact.
If you missed it, here’s the gist: the U.S. government has beef with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, over data privacy and national security issues. They gave ByteDance two choices: sell TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a complete shutdown. ByteDance said “no thanks,” so TikTok is now effectively banned, and creators are in financial limbo.
Top TikTok stars like Charli D’Amelio and Bella Poarch are feeling the pinch the most. In 2024, TikTok’s highest-earning influencers made a whopping $83.8 million combined through brand partnerships, sponsored posts, and fan contributions. Charli, with over 150 million followers, had multi-million-dollar deals with brands like Dunkin’ and Prada. Bella, the Navy vet turned TikTok queen, added significantly to her reported $5 million net worth with endorsements and music promotion.
This ban has essentially cut off their primary income stream. It’s not just the big names either—mid-level influencers earning $10,000 to $50,000 a month are now scrambling to pivot.
It’s not just the influencers who are hurting. Small businesses that relied on TikTok’s algorithm to market their products are feeling the sting too. TikTok was the go-to platform for launching viral products, with some small businesses raking in six-figure sales from just one video. In 2024, TikTok added $24.2 billion to the U.S. economy, including $14.7 billion for small businesses. Now, many of these businesses are struggling to reach their audience.
The potential ban’s ripple effects extend beyond individual creators:
- Marketing agencies specializing in TikTok campaigns are pivoting their service offerings
- Talent management companies are renegotiating contracts to include multi-platform requirements
- E-commerce businesses heavily dependent on TikTok marketing are diversifying their advertising strategies
How Influencers Are Adapting
For influencers, the ban has been a wake-up call to not put all their eggs in one basket. Take Livvy Dunne, for example. The lifestyle influencer, who used to make $12,000 to $19,000 per TikTok post, joked about switching to LinkedIn after the ban. Livvy, whose net worth is estimated at $9.5 million, is now exploring other platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and newer apps like Clapper and REDnote.
Talent managers are pushing their clients to focus on Instagram and YouTube, which have more reliable ad revenue. But let’s be real, these platforms just don’t have the same magic as TikTok’s algorithm, which made content go viral so easily. It’s a tough transition for many.
This whole TikTok ban drama is a lesson for influencers about the risks of building a career on one platform. Some creators are cautiously optimistic, hoping TikTok will find a way back, while others are busy diversifying their income streams. Whether that means launching personal brands, building their own websites, or jumping on other platforms, creators are realizing the importance of controlling their audience and revenue.
For influencers like Charli D’Amelio, Bella Poarch, and Livvy Dunne, this TikTok ban isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a financial game-changer. As the U.S. government and ByteDance duke it out, creators are hustling to stay afloat. If there’s one thing this ban has taught everyone, it’s this: adapt or risk losing it all.
