Who could have imagined that just a month ago, TikTok was struggling due to the ban controversy, and now it has made a dramatic comeback.

Not only did its downloads double, but even its e-commerce business has become a "dark horse."

This reversal directly proves that American netizens really can't quit TikTok!

TikTok returns to the US Apple and Google app stores. Image source: BBC

After a month of being removed due to the ban, Americans want it even more

On January 19 this year, American users woke up to find TikTok had disappeared from app stores.

Although the official team responded urgently and restored service in less than 12 hours, the whole removal incident lasted nearly a month.

During this period, some people hurried to uninstall for safety, some secretly used "technical means" to keep their accounts, and even more people turned to Xiaohongshu, YouTube, and Instagram, trying to find a replacement.

Xiaohongshu became No.1 in downloads in the US Apple App Store

And the result? The alternatives didn't catch on, and as soon as TikTok returned, the data said it all.

According to Sensor Tower Data, TikTok's downloads doubled in just five days after returning to the US app stores, showing that American users never intended to give it up. This is a slap in the face to the naysayers. But the cost was real: parent company ByteDance lost $142 million in a month, burning nearly $5 million a day.

TikTok's downloads surged after returning to US app stores. Image source: hype beast

Topping the global download charts

You think it's only Americans who are hooked? Actually, TikTok's global footprint has long been established.

In January this year, it took the top spot in the global app download rankings with 49 million installs, leaving old giants like Instagram and Facebook far behind. The most impressive was Indonesia, contributing the most new users, and even "wealthy regions" like the UAE pushed it to the top.

TikTok took the global app download crown in January. Image source: AppFigures

Simply put, the magic of short videos knows no borders. Foreigners are hooked on dance tutorials, funny pet videos, and catchy BGM, just like Chinese netizens who can't stop scrolling. Some netizens joked: "TikTok is the real universal language of the world."

Image source: Internet

E-commerce business is booming

If social networking is TikTok's foundation, then e-commerce is its secret weapon for making money.

Last year, TikTok Shop was criticized for "not adapting to local markets," but this year it's on fire. In January, US sales soared 153%, beating Shein and Temu (Pinduoduo's overseas version). At this rate, its US revenue is expected to reach $9 billion this year, accounting for nearly 30% of its global e-commerce business.

TikTok Shop US sales soared. Image source: Yahoo

Even more impressive, TikTok has even handled its own logistics. Recently, it started recruiting in Munich, Germany, preparing to launch its exclusive logistics service FBT, clearly aiming to compete with Amazon. Next, shopping features will be launched in Italy, France, Japan, and Brazil, showing its big ambitions.

TikTok Shop will launch in five new major markets. Image source: scmp

Quit TikTok? That's impossible

During the ban, young Americans flooded the Capitol account's comment section to protest; after the removal, some people used VPNs to download the installation package from overseas sites, and even paid high prices to find agents to activate their accounts.

Now that TikTok has made a strong comeback, the comment section is full of joy: "Without TikTok this past month, my happiness disappeared!"

But controversy remains. Some worry about data security, some complain about unstable product quality in e-commerce, and some sellers grumble about platform rules changing too quickly. But looking at the data, these voices can't stop TikTok's momentum. After all, an app that users truly love is the real top player.

Image source: Internet

Final words

From being banned to making a comeback and topping the charts, TikTok's moves have taught all Chinese companies a lesson.

Real competitiveness never comes from protective barriers, but from making products that people can't resist. Now, with 5 billion global downloads in one hand and e-commerce GMV aiming for $32.6 billion in the other, TikTok's next step may rewrite the global internet landscape.

As for the US market? They talk about "banning" it, but their actions speak louder than words. With such a profitable platform, who would really be willing to give it up?