Instagram Reels emerges top choice in Tik Tok's absence in India

In the absence of the Chinese short-video-making app TikTok, nearly two-thirds of urban Indians (65 per cent) said they are likely to turn to alternatives or start using video apps that are either Indian or non-Chinese in origin, according to data provided by YouGov, an Internet-based market research and data analytics firm.

Millennials (69 per cent) were most likely to show their readiness to switch to Tik-Tok's alternatives, as compared to GenZ (54 per cent).

Likewise, men were more likely than women to hold a similar view (70 per cent vs 59 per cent).

"The government's decision to ban TikTok along with other Chinese apps has presented an opportunity for homegrown players who are gearing up to take advantage of this situation," said Deepa Bhatia, General Manager, YouGov India.

"It is, therefore, imperative to gauge the needs of the audiences and understand their preferences in this space," she added.

Nearly 68 per cent TikTok content creators said they are likely to switch to Indian or non-Chinese versions of video sharing apps.

On being presented with a list of alternatives, Instagram Reels topped the list of apps most likely to be used by people in the future.

The platform, which is Facebook's answer to TikTok, is welcomed by more than six in 10 (62 per cent ) urban Indians who claim to have tried it and are likely to continue using it.

"Nearly as many have a similar view about Singapore-based app Cheez (59 per cent), which has a higher appeal among tier-2 users as compared to tier-1 city residents," said the survey.

Apart from these foreign apps, more than half claimed to have tried the homegrown app Roposo and are likely to use it in the future (54 per cent).

Other regional social media apps such as moj (47 per cent), Gana hotshot (44 per cent), Josh (42 per cent), Taka tak (42 per cent), Mitron (40 per cent) and Chingari (36 per cent) also appear to have gained ground, said the survey.