Clapper (service)

With its offices in Dallas, Texas, Clapper was founded in July 2020 by Chinese-American entrepreneur Edison Chen. Chen considered that most online platforms, such as TikTok, were being targeted to young generations, such as Generation Z. He then concepted Clapper as a service with short-form content for mature audiences among Generation X and millennials, while not intending to compete directly with TikTok.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Arcella |date=2023-04-12 |title=Built in North Texas, Clapper app finds new users as TikTok uncertainty looms |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2023/04/12/built-in-north-texas-clapper-app-finds-new-users-as-tiktok-uncertainty-looms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913052956/https://www.dallasnews.com/business/2023/04/12/built-in-north-texas-clapper-app-finds-new-users-as-tiktok-uncertainty-looms/ |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Dallas Morning News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=2024-05-21 |title=As the clock ticks on TikTok, rivals like Clapper try to make a mark |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/tiktok-clapper-edison-chen-1235915543/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521195635/https://deadline.com/2024/05/tiktok-clapper-edison-chen-1235915543/ |archive-date=2024-05-21 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Maddox |first=Will |date=2023-05-03 |title=Introducing Clapper: A top-ranked Dallas-based app that is TikTok for adults |url=https://www.dmagazine.com/science-technology/2023/05/introducing-clapper-a-top-ranked-dallas-based-app-that-is-tiktok-for-adults/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510074626/https://www.dmagazine.com/science-technology/2023/05/introducing-clapper-a-top-ranked-dallas-based-app-that-is-tiktok-for-adults/ |archive-date=2024-05-10 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=D Magazine |language=en-US}} Clapper averaged fewer than ten thousand daily active users during 2020, reaching 500 thousand downloads in the next year.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Makena |date=2021-01-28 |title=With Parler down, QAnon moves onto a 'free speech' TikTok clone |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/28/22254411/clapper-parler-gab-qanon-tiktok-free-speech |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129133110/https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/28/22254411/clapper-parler-gab-qanon-tiktok-free-speech |archive-date=2023-11-29 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Verge |language=en}} Initially without paying for external advertising, the company raised about $3 million during a 2021 seed funding round.

In 2023, the app reportedly reached about 300 to 400 thousand daily active users and 2 million monthly active users. The average user was between the ages of 35 and 55. Following the April 2024 signing of the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which would potentially enact a ban on TikTok in the U.S. in January 2025, Clapper averaged 200 thousand weekly downloads. In 2025, before the day scheduled for the ban (January 19), TikTok users migrated to other apps. As a result, Clapper received 1.4 million new downloads in a week preceding the date.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=2025-01-16 |title=TikTok will be banned without a savior. Here are the alternative apps users are flocking to |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/16/tech/tiktok-ban-alternative-apps/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118075729/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/16/tech/tiktok-ban-alternative-apps/index.html |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=CNN |language=en}} It was listed as the third most-downloaded free app on Apple's App Store on January 14, behind Xiaohongshu and Lemon8,{{Cite web |last=Perry |first=Alex |date=2025-01-14 |title=TikTok could be going away soon. Here are 5 popular alternatives to try instead |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2025/01/14/tiktok-ban-alternatives-rednote-lemon8-instagram/77690719007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118235524/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2025/01/14/tiktok-ban-alternatives-rednote-lemon8-instagram/77690719007/ |archive-date=2025-01-18 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |language=en-US}} and the term "TikTok refugee" became a trending term.{{Cite web |last=Sloane |first=Garett |last2=Follett |first2=Gillian |date=2025-01-15 |title=How TikTok alternatives are competing for brands and creators—industry leaders break it down |url=https://adage.com/article/digital-marketing-ad-tech-news/tiktok-ban-rednote-lemon8-clapper-vie-brands-creators/2598731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116211000/https://adage.com/article/digital-marketing-ad-tech-news/tiktok-ban-rednote-lemon8-clapper-vie-brands-creators/2598731 |archive-date=2025-01-16 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Ad Age |language=en}}

Clapper presents similarities with TikTok in its layout, including "Following" and "For You" tabs with videos up to three minutes long that can be liked, commented on or shared. A "Clapback" feature allows users to create responses to videos from others. Users can create livestreams and chat rooms in the app.

Users can tip Clapper creators through its Clapper Fam monetization feature, in place of in-app advertisements.{{Cite web |last=Schulz |first=Madeleine |date=2025-01-16 |title=The TikTok ban safety net: 13 social media alternatives to know |url=https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/the-tiktok-ban-safety-net-13-social-media-alternatives-to-know |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119120607/https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/technology/the-tiktok-ban-safety-net-13-social-media-alternatives-to-know |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Vogue Business |language=en-US}} The Clapper Shop allows for e-commerce between users.{{Cite web |last=Winslow |first=Levi |date=2025-01-17 |title=5 good TikTok alternatives really popping off right now |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/levi-winslow/tiktok-ban-alternatives-lemon8-rednote-instagram-youtube |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250121021015/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/a/levi-winslow/tiktok-ban-alternatives-lemon8-rednote-instagram-youtube |archive-date=2025-01-21 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Complex |language=en}} The service had distributed $10 million to its users in total by 2023, according to Clapper CEO Chen.

Clapper includes a policy requiring users to be at least 17 years of age, although Clapper CEO Chen described that "there is no adult content" on the platform. Lindsay Dodgson of Business Insider described the content as generally outdated and "reminiscent of 'getting owned' compilations of the earlier internet."{{Cite web |last=Dodgson |first=Lindsay |date=2024-05-07 |title=I tried the app TikTokers could embrace if a ban becomes reality — I'm not convinced it will attract Gen Zers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/clapper-review-tiktok-dupe-probably-wont-attract-gen-zers-2024-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601113623/https://www.businessinsider.com/clapper-review-tiktok-dupe-probably-wont-attract-gen-zers-2024-5 |archive-date=2024-06-01 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} The Washington Post{{'s}} Tatum Hunter characterized Clapper as including sexual or engagement baiting content more prevalently than TikTok.{{Cite web |last=Hunter |first=Tatum |date=2025-01-14 |title=The most popular TikTok alternatives as ban approaches |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/14/tiktok-ban-alternative-apps-rednote-lemon8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250114120504/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/14/tiktok-ban-alternative-apps-rednote-lemon8/ |archive-date=2025-01-14 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Washington Post}}

Clapper's team, which had fifteen employees in early 2021, initially stated it would not moderate content as strictly as TikTok and would mostly rely on user reports. Following that year's January 6 United States Capitol attack, far-right conservative videos promoting QAnon and anti-vaccine conspiracy theories appeared on Clapper's "For You" page to a substantial degree for weeks.{{Cite web |last=Ankel |first=Sophia |date=2021-03-07 |title='TikTok rejects' cultivate their grievances on video-sharing app Clapper, a refuge for conspiracy theorists, anti-vaxxers, and 'patriot' truckers |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-rejects-rush-to-join-clapper-share-far-right-videos-2021-3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250119182502/https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-rejects-rush-to-join-clapper-share-far-right-videos-2021-3 |archive-date=2025-01-19 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} The videos were made in protest against decisions by platforms, particularly TikTok, to ban such content.

Clapper's team stated in January 10 that its rules prohibiting incitements to violence would be strictly enforced.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Makena |date=2021-02-11 |title=Clapper permanently bans QAnon-related content |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/11/22278480/clapper-tiktok-clone-bans-qanon-content-parler-deplatforming-capitol-riot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113040255/https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/11/22278480/clapper-tiktok-clone-bans-qanon-content-parler-deplatforming-capitol-riot |archive-date=2025-01-13 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=The Verge |language=en}} By February, videos and accounts promoting the conspiracy theories had been removed, and QAnon-related content was banned permanently. Clapper's team hired more content auditors and implemented moderation by artificial intelligence for further community guideline violations.

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.clapperapp.com Official website]

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