Introducing Skylight: The TikTok Alternative You Need to Know About
The social media landscape is dominated by TikTok, a short-form video platform that has become a cultural phenomenon. With an estimated 1.99 billion users, TikTok's influence is undeniable, but it's also facing a significant challenge: the threat of a U.S. ban. This potential ban could disrupt the livelihoods of millions of Americans who rely on the app for income. Even if TikTok survives, the transfer of its assets to U.S.-owned interests might lead to changes in its algorithm, making content less discoverable.
Amidst this uncertainty, a growing number of concerned TikTok users are turning to a lesser-known platform called Skylight. This innovative app offers a unique approach to social media, and here's why it's gaining traction.
What is Skylight?
Skylight Social, or simply Skylight, is a relatively new player in the social media arena. It emerged earlier this year, shortly after TikTok was temporarily taken offline in the United States ahead of a potential government ban. The platform is now accessible through dedicated iOS and Android apps, developed by a small but dedicated team led by CEO Tori White and CTO Reed Harmeyer. Interestingly, it also has a high-profile investor in Mark Cuban.
On the surface, Skylight resembles TikTok with its scrollable feed of full-screen short-form videos, allowing users to like and comment. However, its key differentiator lies in its underlying technology. Skylight is built on the Authenticated Transfer Protocol (AT Protocol), which is also the foundation of Bluesky, a competing social media network. Bluesky has already gained traction with over 39 million users.
The Decentralized Advantage
The AT Protocol's decentralized nature is a significant advantage over TikTok's and other centralized social media platforms. With decentralization, content and followers are not locked into a single platform. Users can easily migrate their videos and communities to other AT Protocol-based apps, ensuring flexibility and freedom. This feature makes Skylight 'unbannable,' as it's not tied to a single app, and creators can continue their activities even if a specific app is blocked.
Two Major Benefits of Skylight
- Decentralization and Freedom: Skylight's decentralized nature empowers users with control over their content and followers. Unlike TikTok, users are not locked into the platform, and they can move their entire community to another AT Protocol app whenever they choose.
- Human-Curated Feeds: Skylight introduced human-curated feeds in August, a departure from the algorithmic curation used by major social media networks. This approach ensures transparency and user trust, as it mitigates the concerns associated with algorithmic favoritism and potential censorship.
Using Skylight: A Familiar Experience
Skylight provides a familiar user experience, similar to TikTok, with scrolling, liking, and commenting. However, its limited content is a notable drawback, as it currently has fewer videos compared to TikTok. This is understandable, given the platform's relatively short lifespan. As of August, Skylight had around 240,000 downloads and approximately 100,000 videos, but it's worth noting that decentralized platforms like Bluesky have experienced rapid growth, approaching 40 million users.
The Need for Decentralized Platforms
In an era where a few tech giants control vast amounts of content and algorithms, and governments are increasingly willing to ban platforms relied upon by millions, decentralized platforms like Skylight become essential. They offer a path to free, unfettered speech, free from the control of corporations and governments.
As the social media landscape continues to evolve, Skylight presents a compelling alternative, offering users a sense of control and freedom in a world where these aspects are increasingly threatened.
