TikTok Tops Download Charts in February, Despite US Download Ban

Yeah, that momentary ban on TikTok downloads within the U.S. doesn’t appear to have had a lot affect on the app’s momentum, primarily based on the newest app obtain charts from AppFigures.

As you possibly can see, TikTok continued to prime the general obtain charts in February, after seeing probably the most downloads in January as nicely.

That’s regardless of TikTok being technically banned within the U.S., because of the Senate-approved sell-off invoice, which meant that the app wasn’t out there for obtain in America, on both iOS or Android, from January nineteenth by means of to February 14th.

In mid-February, U.S. Lawyer-Common Pam Bondi supplied official, authorized affirmation to each app suppliers that they’ll be protected from any future prosecution on account of permitting TikTok to stay out there of their shops, which then noticed it made out there within the U.S. once more.

However general, the affect appears to have been minimal, with TikTok seeing elevated obtain momentum in South East Asia, notably Indonesia, which offset any potential U.S. progress losses.

Although South East Asian markets usually are not as profitable for TikTok general. The platform generates round 40% of its general advert income within the U.S., whereas it’s additionally gaining momentum with its in-app purchasing capabilities amongst American shoppers.

So whereas it’s general consumer counts have remained regular, if not grown within the time that American customers have been reduce off (Be aware: Individuals who had beforehand downloaded TikTok may nonetheless use it on this interval, it simply wasn’t out there for obtain), its income numbers would doubtless have taken successful.

However it’s seeking to broaden its monetization push into extra areas, with the platform lately rolling out TikTok Store to retailers in Mexico, whereas it’s additionally seeking to carry its reside purchasing parts to manufacturers in Europe, Japan, and Brazil.  

However in case you needed to know why TikTok appears so determined to stay within the U.S., regardless of the Chinese language authorities’s opposition to the U.S. push to drive it into American possession, for this reason.

When it comes to different obtain traits, ChatGPT rose two spots this month, whereas Threads stays fashionable on iOS.

On Android, not as a lot.

Why would that be?

I assume this factors to regional reputation. Android is the dominant working system in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America, whereas iOS sees extra utilization in North America and Oceania. Presumably, this information would recommend that Threads is gaining extra traction within the latter markets, however much less so in different areas.

However then once more, Threads chief Adam Mosseri lately famous that Threads is doing “remarkably nicely” in Japan, so it’s seemingly seeing regular progress in not less than some Android-dominant markets as nicely.

Simply not all of them, apparently. Threads is at present sitting at twenty second place on the Android downloads chart.

Aside from that, Meta continues to dominate, DeepSeek has dropped out of the highest obtain charts, and Temu curiosity has remained regular (low cost beats good, if it’s low cost sufficient).

Some attention-grabbing shifts within the broader social media panorama, however no main swings this month.