Lemon8 is Not That Great: 3 Major Issues with the New Social App
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Lemon8, the latest app creating a buzz across TikTok and social media, seems to have everyone talking. With its rapid rise to fame, you might wonder: Is it the next big thing, or is it just another app that will fizzle out? Should you hop on the bandwagon now to be ahead of the curve and possibly become one of its top creators? Well, before you download it, let’s take a deeper look at what’s not working with Lemon8. Here are 3 reasons why it might not be worth the hype.
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1) You Can Post What You Want, But It’s Probably Not Going to Do Well
One of the big promises of social media has always been the freedom to express yourself—freedom to share what you love, connect with others, and showcase your authentic self. However, as the landscape of social media has evolved, that freedom has been replaced with one thing: strategy. Whether it's curating niche content, crafting a perfect aesthetic, or playing the algorithm game, every post feels like it’s been meticulously planned. So, when you sign up for a new app like Lemon8, you’d expect a refreshing break from all that pressure—a space where you can share what you want without constantly worrying about likes, engagement, or follower counts.
Unfortunately, that's not what Lemon8 offers.
The more I explored the "For You" section, the more I realized it felt like a Pinterest clone—curated, polished, and exclusive. Instead of feeling like a creative space to share freely, it quickly became clear that Lemon8’s algorithm rewards only highly curated content. If you're hoping to post something spontaneous or simply for fun, don't expect much engagement or connection. Sure, that might sound like a dream to some—freedom to post without chasing the numbers—but then those very numbers are always in your face, acting as a constant reminder of what you're up against.
Every time I shared something, it felt like I was shouting into the void. With Instagram, even if my post didn’t blow up, I could count on meaningful conversations in the comments and the opportunity to meet new people. But on Lemon8, the experience felt almost isolating—like everyone was trying too hard to present a perfect version of themselves. There’s no room for authenticity. It’s a platform that feels tailor-made for a very specific group, mostly mid-20s to early 40s females, and unless they make some significant changes, I don’t see that expanding anytime soon.
This app has all the telltale signs of being just another "flavor-of-the-week" social platform. It reminds me of apps like Clubhouse or Hive—ones that gained quick attention, only to burn out just as fast.
2) Lemon8 is Not an Evergreen Growth Machine
One of the reasons TikTok and Instagram became powerhouses was because they offered something different: simple, organic growth. You could post, get noticed, and expand your reach without requiring hours of engagement. Sure, Instagram eventually leaned heavily into engagement strategies, but early on, you didn’t need to obsess over hashtags, algorithms, or engagement rates. Just post and let it grow.
Lemon8, however, follows the same formula that Instagram has adopted in recent years. To get your posts noticed, it’s not enough to just post high-quality content. You need to engage, and engage again, and keep posting. The algorithm rewards those who pump out a constant stream of aesthetically pleasing content, not necessarily content that provides value or resonates with a community.
It’s become a machine, much like Instagram, where everyone’s chasing the next perfect shot for the algorithm. It’s exhausting. Instead of fostering a community, it feels like an endless hamster wheel of “post, engage, repeat”—and that’s a surefire way to burn out.
Many creators are bringing over old-school tactics from Instagram, but in the process, they're diminishing the essence of the app. If Lemon8 isn’t careful, it risks becoming just another content factory with a focus on performance over genuine connection.
3) It Might Not Be Here for Long
Here’s the reality check: Lemon8 is owned by ByteDance, the same company behind TikTok. So, if the U.S. government follows through on its potential TikTok ban, Lemon8 could face a similar fate. While the app’s been gaining momentum, its future is heavily tied to the future of its parent company. If TikTok is banned, Lemon8 might be next on the chopping block.
It’s a sobering thought, especially if you’ve invested time into building a presence on the app. Lemon8’s reliance on TikTok for its early growth means that, unless it can evolve and stand on its own, it could be at risk of fading away just like other fleeting social platforms.
So, Is Lemon8 Worth Your Time?
At first, I was excited about Lemon8. I thought, “Finally, a space where I can post without the pressure of constantly needing to churn out content!” But now, I feel like I’m just adding to the noise, getting lost in a sea of polished, over-curated posts that don’t really resonate with me.
I gave Lemon8 a real chance over the past few years—even after the recent 2025 ban—because my friend insisted it was different. But when I checked out her feed, I didn’t see what she saw. There was no real engagement, no support from the community of women on the app. Almost everyone I found through hashtags I’m interested in had long abandoned their accounts, and I was left with the same issues as before. It’s not fun. It’s cliquey. And honestly, I’d rather spend my time away from social media altogether.
Everything I was hoping to find on Lemon8 is nowhere to be found. If I want to share photos without the strategy and performance pressure, I might as well just do photo dumps on my blog. At least there, I don’t need to follow a formula to get noticed, and my website does well without the constant reminder of the numbers game that, frankly, I don’t need.
Honestly, unless you can convert followers into something more meaningful—whether it’s a business opportunity, product sales, or a loyal community—what’s the point? For Lemon8 to really thrive in the long term, the app’s structure and the way people approach it need a major shift.
It has some cool features, fonts, and photo templates—I'll give it that—but unlike TikTok and CapCut, I think ByteDance missed the mark with this one.
What do you think? Do you think Lemon8 will stick around, or are you sticking with Instagram? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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