U.S.-only TikTok is coming

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🌀 Creator economy updates

Linda Yaccarino has stepped down as CEO of X – no successor named yet.

ByteDance is spinning up “CapCut US” to comply with U.S. laws forcing divestment from Chinese ownership.

YouTube will cut off monetization for unoriginal, repurposed content starting July 15 – aiming at low-effort uploads.

Amazon is doubling influencer commissions during Prime Day (July 1–20) to boost creator-driven sales.

Instagram added new tools to its Edits app: sticky notes for saved audio and to-do checklists.

Tesla’s robotaxi beta is rolling out on YouTube – with safety drivers still intervening during rides.

TikTok is launching a U.S.-only version of the app

TikTok’s prepping a separate app just for American users, set to launch September 5. It’s ByteDance’s workaround to avoid a full U.S. ban by complying with forced sale legislation.

What we know:

• U.S.-only app, codenamed “M2,” will replace the current one in U.S. app stores

• Old app stays functional until March 2026Users will be able to transfer profiles
  ByteDance is also creating a U.S.-only CapCut

• Oracle is leading the investor group (with A16Z, Blackstone), ByteDance keeps a minority stake

What’s unclear:

• Will the algorithm, UI, or global content change?

• Is the new app a legal requirement – or a hedge?

• Will the deal even close? Trump says it’s “close,” but China still needs to approve

TikTok’s trying to stick the landing – but creators are bracing for disruption if monetization or reach shifts in the U.S.-only app.

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Yahoo wants to be your next platform

Yahoo’s making a quiet play for creators with Yahoo for Creators – and it’s gaining traction.

Since launch, it’s brought on 135 lifestyle creators and just hit its best month ever for revenue and engagement.

What’s in it for creators:

• 50/50 ad revenue split

• Affiliate + video tools baked in

• Access to 230M+ monthly visitors

• Non-exclusive posting rights

Legacy media is losing traffic, and Yahoo’s offering creators a middle ground – big reach, helpful tools, and a cut of the ad pie. For brands, it’s influencer content with legacy credibility.

Michelle Khare is building Emmy-worthy YouTube

Michelle Khare’s Challenge Accepted – which has taken her from Secret Service boot camp to Olympic-level training – is now on the Emmy ballot. It’s not just a milestone for her, but for long-form creator content overall.

What makes it work:

• Deep storytelling: 30–60 day shoots with documentary-level prep

• Research-first process: every video treated like a mini doc

• Syndication: The show is now licensing to Samsung TV Plus

Creator-led formats are earning Hollywood’s respect – and deals to match. The YouTube-to-TV pipeline is no longer a novelty – it’s a blueprint.