• by Colin Kirkland , February 20, 2025

Triller, a social-media platform specializing in short-form videos and AI-powered creator tools, is looking to compete more directly with TikTok in the U.S.

On Tuesday, the Triller Group’s leadership team highlighted their vision for the future of the app after ringing the opening bell in Times Square.

According to Triller App CEO Sean Kim -- a former TikTok executive hired in 2024 to focus on an overhaul of the platform -- the company is committed to becoming “the most creator-focused social platform in the world” through competitive compensation of its creator base. 

Triller did not provide specific details about the “vast monetization opportunities” it will offer creators beyond a general plan to tap further into the capabilities of its current suite of AI and SaaS tools -- powered by customer engagement platform Amplify.ai -- to support a marketplace where creators can connect directly with “thousands of brands.”

At the Nasdaq ceremony, Kim said Triller’s suite of AI tools is designed to help creators discover their target audiences, while also helping them monetize through “branded merchandise, sponsorships, ecommerce, as well as ad revenue." He did not provide further details.

The platform is likely attempting to further capitalize on TikTok's uncertain future in the U.S.

Last month, when TikTok went dark in the U.S. due to the sell-off bill signed by former president Joe Biden, then delayed by President Donald Trump, downloads of Triller skyrocketed, jumping more than 100 spots on the Apple App download chart.

Under the new leadership of Kim, who worked on TikTok's For You feed, creator monetization, the developer platform, third-party integrations and more, Triller gained sudden notoriety for its “Save My TikToks” campaign, which used AI to help creators migrate their TikTok content directly to their Triller profile, making for a more seamless transition away from TikTok for both the creator, their audience, and advertisers.

Depending on whether or not a stateside buyer will successfully acquire TikTok, theoretically preserving its existence in the U.S., Triller's “Save My TikToks” campaign could attract even more creator attention.

Triller also showcased “Triller Sports” -- its live sports broadcasting division -- at Nasdaq, inviting David Feldman, the president and founder of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), to ring the bell alongside Triller CEOs.

The BKFC verticals were second only to the UFC, generating over 10 billion impressions, 50 million live event viewers, and 200,000 live event attendees in 2024. And TrillerTV has become a leading streamer of BKFC's events, streaming a total of 3,000 live events globally to 7 million users.

Alongside its promotion of BKFC, Triller also partnered with NBA All-Star Baron Davis’ Business Inside the Game (BIG) and influencer organization, Reach, to create high-profile engagement at this month's NBA All-Star Weekend, providing fans with immersive experiences around sports, music and culture.

Triller currently has an estimated 50 million Google Play and App Store downloads, according to Appfigures, with around 56% of its users between the ages of 18 to 24.