“TikTok's loss will be huge for local businesses,” said Chris Snyder, a Drake associate professor.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Social media experts at Drake University are weighing how an impending TikTok ban could impact Iowa businesses and organizations that use the app as a marketing tool. .
The House of Representatives passed a bill over the weekend that would ban the popular social media app, which is used by 170 million American users, nationwide. Here in Iowa, many businesses and organizations use apps to market their companies and brands.
“I think the loss of TikTok will be huge for local businesses,” said Chris Snyder, who teaches various social media courses at Drake's School of Journalism.
Catch Des Moines, a tourism organization in the Iowa capital, has amassed nearly 10,000 followers on TikTok. Their page offers free promotions for entertainment spots, restaurants, and events around the city.
Local 5 reached out to Catch Des Moines about the possible ban and how it could affect your social media strategy.
“If this becomes an issue, we simply reallocate our efforts to Instagram, Meta, and YouTube, where we typically repurpose TikTok content anyway,” the group said in a statement.
Snyder warns that companies marketing on apps should do the same and be prepared in case they get banned.
“I would encourage companies to stick with TikTok because you never know what's going to happen. But maybe they can start thinking about how to start planning for an exit,” he said. Said.
TikTok's algorithm is what makes this popular app stand out among other social media platforms for marketing purposes. Snyder said the algorithm allows companies to put content in front of people who might want to see it or who might live in the area.
“The amount of business, the number of visitors coming to your business, or the number of people buying your products, you know, is skyrocketing. There's no other app that can replicate that,” Snyder told Local 5. Ta.
