A recent survey influencer marketing platform Fohr shared exclusively with WIRED provides insight into how American TikTok creators are reacting to the threat of a potential nationwide ban on the app. Fohr polled 200 U.S.-based TikTok creators on its platform with at least 10,000 followers. Half of the respondents rely on influencing as their sole income source. 

A key takeaway is that 62% of creators surveyed do not believe TikTok will be banned in the U.S. by 2025, while 38% believe it will be banned.

The findings suggest most creators are not experiencing severe concerns about TikTok’s future in America, at least for now. 83% of influencers said their sponsorships from brands have been unaffected since Congress passed a law demanding TikTok separate from its Chinese parent company ByteDance within a year or face a ban.

However, some brands are taking precautionary steps. 7% of creators said a brand had paused or canceled a TikTok campaign they worked on, while 8% said a brand asked to shift a deliverable to another platform or inquired about such a change.

According to the survey, Instagram appears best positioned to absorb creators’ audiences if TikTok does get banned. 67% of surveyed influencers said Instagram would be the best alternative platform for growing their following, compared to 22% for YouTube.

Fohr also highlighted the rise of “user-generated content” brand deals on TikTok, where creators make marketing videos that brands can use. 18% of creators cited this model as their largest TikTok revenue stream.

Recent data shows over 11% of U.S. households have made a purchase through TikTok’s e-commerce feature since September 2023, underscoring the app’s commercial impact despite the legal threats.