👋 TikTok’s big goodbye + creators strike AI gold

Hi there, and welcome back to another edition of Curious Creator.

The Los Angeles wildfires sparked both incredible generosity and troubling misinformation. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel pledged $5 million in aid, while Dude Perfect’s 24-hour livestream raised over $270K to support creators Colin and Samir, who lost their homes. Meanwhile, some pointed fingers at diversity policies for the devastation—a baseless claim wildfire experts were quick to shut down.

TikTok’s ready to go dark in the US

TikTok plans to kill the app for US users this Sunday if the Supreme Court doesn’t swoop in to save it. Instead of letting the app limp along, ByteDance is going full blackout—users opening TikTok will be greeted with a “thanks for the memories” pop-up and a link to download their data.

What’s happening: This isn’t just a shutdown; it’s a statement. TikTok’s playing its last card to show just how devastating this ban will be. The sudden blackout will hit all 170 million US users like a truck, sparking chaos among creators, businesses, and fans.

The fallout

• For creators: Entire livelihoods are at risk. Influencers are scrambling to migrate their audiences to Instagram, YouTube Shorts, or anywhere that’ll stick. But let’s be real—none of them are TikTok.

• For businesses: TikTok Shop sellers are freaking out. Black Friday alone pulled in $100 million, and now sellers are halting shipments and testing out weaker alternatives like Instagram Live.

• For ByteDance: It’s a lose-lose. The law targets all ByteDance-owned apps, including Lemon8 and CapCut, so even if TikTok’s US arm is sold, ByteDance’s foothold in America is toast.

Wildcards in the mix: Trump—set to be re-inaugurated Monday—has said he opposes a ban, likely because it props up Instagram, owned by his favorite corporate punching bag, Meta. Meanwhile, whispers of Elon Musk or MrBeast swooping in to buy TikTok feel more like a fever dream than a legitimate plan.

The bottom line: This isn’t just a TikTok problem. The ban is a cultural wrecking ball that will reshape the internet as we know it. If the Supreme Court doesn’t intervene, come Sunday, TikTok won’t just go quiet—it’ll vanish, leaving a gaping hole in online culture.

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YouTubers are cashing in on their leftover footage

YouTubers are finding a new revenue stream, selling their unused video footage to AI companies desperate for training data. OpenAI, Google, and others are reportedly shelling out between $1 and $4 per minute for exclusive clips—higher if it’s premium quality, like 4K or drone footage.

The numbers

• Thousands per deal: AI companies are spending big to access unique, unpublished content.

• $5 million+ payouts: Licensing platforms like Troveo AI have facilitated significant payments to creators, turning forgotten footage into real cash.

Why it’s happening: AI video generators need vast amounts of data to learn, and fresh, unique content is gold. Creators, who often sit on hours of unused footage, are perfectly positioned to supply it. For them, it’s a chance to monetize material that otherwise collects dust on a hard drive.

The catch: These deals come with guardrails. Contracts typically prevent AI firms from cloning creators’ likenesses or using footage in ways that could damage their reputation. It’s not just about the money—it’s about keeping control.

The shift: For creators, this is about flipping the script. After years of seeing their content scraped by AI without consent, they now have a chance to play ball on their terms—and get paid for it. “This is a legal way to participate—and profit,” said Dan Levitt of Wasserman.

What’s next: While lucrative, this window won’t stay open forever. The AI industry’s appetite for fresh content is insatiable right now, but creators know they have to act fast. The gold rush is on, and the ones cashing in are those ready to strike while the iron’s hot.

Influencers take Capital One to court over affiliate disputes

The issue: Influencers are suing Capital One, claiming its Shopping browser extension "stole" affiliate commissions by overriding referral cookies. The lawsuit alleges this practice unfairly redirected credit for sales driven by influencer links, reducing their earnings.

• Example: Jesika Brodiski claims her Walmart.com commissions were impacted, while Peter Hayward alleges his Amazon referral tags were replaced by Capital One’s.

The mechanics: Capital One Shopping earns commissions by applying discounts during checkout. The lawsuit accuses it of replacing influencer cookies with its own, taking credit for sales.

The backdrop: This case highlights "last-click attribution," a disputed practice that credits the final link or ad before a purchase. Critics argue browser extensions exploit this to claim commissions unfairly.

What’s next: The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and class-action certification, which could expand the case to include other creators.

Why it matters: The lawsuit underscores growing tension in affiliate marketing over who gets credit—and paid—for driving sales.

Today’s top news

• TikTok users in the US are migrating to a Chinese app called RedNote with the threat of a ban just days away.

• Adobe Firefly launches a bulk-create API to streamline design for creators.

• Substack opens live video for all publishers to connect with audiences.

• Visa features TikTok and Instagram creators sharing their 2025 goals in a new video series.

• Mark Zuckerberg, on Joe Rogan’s podcast, said the creator economy is redefining trust and influence online.