Triller: Is It the Alternative to TikTok?
TikTok (called Douyin in China) has become a favorite of many people who are into video sharing. While the public continues to appreciate the app for what it can give them in terms of creative expression and entertainment, the app is also embroiled in politics, particularly in the United States.
Pres. Trump is still keen on banning the app, contending that it collects many user information that it shares with Beijing. He wants the TikTok to be a U.S. company instead of just a branch of a China-based and Chinese owned company. On August 27, TikTok US CEO Kevin Mayer, who joined the company in the middle of May 2020, announced he is quitting the company amid the pressure from the White House to sell the U.S. branch. Selling the branch office will ensure that it can continue operating in the United States. News reports say Walmart is teaming up with Microsoft to make a bid for TikTok US. The president gave TikTok US until September 15, 2020, to become a legitimate American-owned company.
Triller
So much focus is placed on TikTok, which was released in September 2016. Many are not aware of Triller, a music video sharing app based in Los Angeles and backed by popular American musicians. Triller is a year older than TikTok, as it was released in July 2015.
Since a TikTok ban is a possibility, Triller is receiving more interest now, as the alternative to TikTok. Most of Triller users are popular music personalities, but it is busy recruiting more top social media influencers. Triller and TikTok have similar functionalities. You can create or watch a 15-second long video on Triller. Its built-in editing functions include filters, music, drawings, special effects, and others.
While it has not reached the level of TikTok, which has 800 million active users as of July 2020, Triller is getting more active. As of August 2020, Triller was downloaded 250 million times, with an active user base of 65 million.
When you upload a video on Triller, other users can comment on it or share it. They can also use the sound from your video and use it for their videos.
Owners of Triller
Ryan Kavanaugh, a film producer in Hollywood, owns the company Proxima Media, which launched Triller. The company invested $28 million in 2019 into Triller LLC, an American company that developed Triller.
How Triller works
Users of TikTok will find it easy to navigate Triller because the UI and functionality of the two apps are almost the same. You can comment and like videos, follow users, and search and find videos you want to watch. You can shoot and record the videos. It is possible to watch videos on Triller without an account. But if you’re going to be posting videos, you need to create an account.
Triller has a home page where you can find three tabs for Social, Music, and Following. Triller videos are in full screen and vertical.
The music symbol is for Discover, so you can easily find music tracks. You can play music or use it for your Triller video. You can find a wide selection of music tracks on Triller as it has licensing agreements with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group.
The magnifying glass is for searching while the plus (+) symbol is for uploading. The app lets you preview your video before uploading, or add additional information, such as location, category, or caption. You can choose private to limit viewers.
The bell symbol is for activity function with two sections: You and Following. In “You,” you are going to see all the comments and reactions to your posts. The “Following” section shows you the activities of all the Triller users that you follow.
The person symbol is for your profile, and you can provide the required information on this page. You can see the people who follow you and the people you follow and drafts of your Trillers, which are kept private. The Settings page complete the pages on the navigation bar of the app.
Popular Triller users
Several celebrities are using Triller now, such as Kevin Hart, Rita Ora, Justin Bieber, Noah Beck, Griffin Johnson, Josh Richards, and U.S. President Donald Trump.