Ah, 2025. A new year full of fresh potential, but what does it have in store for creators? In our first edition of 2025, we delve into the US TikTok ban (Will they? Won't they?), as well as Pinterest color trends and the Squid Game theory taking over our feeds. Stick around for music from headline artist Blue Wednesday and the answer to the viral question, who is Robbie Williams?!
TikTok - a ticking time bomb?
On 19 January 170 million American TikTok users woke to the message, ‘Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.’ Fast forward and the app is back running in the states… but for how long?
What happened?
→ TikTok failed to meet a law passed last April. The app had to be sold to a US buyer, or face a ban in the states.
→ January 19 the app went dark for 14 hours, before President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting the ban for 75 days. (That’s the same Trump who initiated it back in 2020.)
→ The app is live again in the US, but it’s still unavailable on app stores in America if you want to download it.
So is TikTok in the clear? Not quite. TikTok may have 75 more days in the states, but without a US buyer its future is uncertain. Mr Beast and Elon Musk have both thrown their hats into the ring. The question is, do they have $50-100 billion spare, and could they be serious?
Platforms are fighting to capture creators fleeing from TikTok → Top of the pile was China-run Rednote. The app saw a 200% increase in US based downloads on last year with Americans sharing special moments with its Chinese users. Meta also recently announced it will pay up to $5,000 to TikTokers who start posting on Instagram and Facebook.
Creators come together in the aftermath of the LA fires
It’s three weeks since wild fires sparked in Los Angeles. Since then thousands of people have been displaced and the fires continue to burn.
LA creators have shared their stories, using social platforms to connect viewers to local causes and mobilize for help and resources. The global outpouring of support has since proven that spaces like YouTube can be powerful forces for good.
We hope that those in the LA area are safe. If you’d like to donate to those affected, here are charities that would greatly appreciate your support:
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
American creators stumped over British superstar
Famous British popstar Robbie Williams is going viral in America for being… well, not famous.
It started with Better Man, a 2 hour long film of Robbie’s life which sees him played by a CGI monkey. Following the release of the trailer, American creators quickly flocked to platforms to ask some important questions: ‘who the hell is Robbie Williams?’, ‘why do Americans hate his music?’ and ‘are we sure this guy even exists?’.
Elsewhere on the web
“I am Guard 44.” Streamer Kai Cenat claims he starred in the hit show Squid Game.
Oats, butter, cherries… Pinterest goes shopping for 2025 color trends.
Airport security’s worst nightmare? Pierson travels with the ‘world’s largest backpack.’
KSI prepares to step into the boxing ring this March with a British ex-footballer.
‘To live, to stand, to make beautiful things." Mandelbro shares his vision for the world.
Instagram releases new updates, including longer reels and a TikTok-esque grid.
Latest updates
If you’re easing into the new year, Lo-Fi artist Blue Wednesday has the laid-back soundtrack to your January sorted. Whilst you’re at it, check out our latest blog on 2025 YouTube music trends and Creator's Cut's first podcast of the year (sponsored by us!).
