TikTok's 'Cute Winter Boots' Trend Explained ![rw-book-cover](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e9b8366-994a-4e66-8ddf-b72c4471c112_780x520.jpeg) ## Metadata - Author: [[Taylor Lorenz]] - Full Title: TikTok's 'Cute Winter Boots' Trend Explained - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: [#TikTok, #Algospeak, #social-media, #linguistics, #content-creation, #platform-moderation] - #TikTok - #Algospeak - #SocialMedia Author: [UserMag] Source: [UserMag Article] Reference: [UserMag: TikTok "Cute Winter Boots" Meaning Explained: Algospeak](https://www.usermag.co/p/tiktok-cute-winter-boots-meaning-explained-algospeak) date created: 2025-01-27 14:00 --- # Title: TikTok "Cute Winter Boots" Meaning Explained: Algospeak ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#-notes) - [📖 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🔍 DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) --- ## 📝 Summary: This article explores the use of "algospeak" on TikTok, focusing on phrases like "cute winter boots" that are used as coded language to avoid moderation algorithms. Algospeak enables users to navigate platform restrictions while continuing to discuss sensitive or prohibited topics. The article delves into the implications of this linguistic phenomenon on social media content, moderation, and user expression. --- ## 📖 Main Content: ### 🗒️ Notes: - **Introduction**: - Algospeak refers to alternative words or phrases used to bypass social media algorithms. - TikTok creators frequently use terms like "cute winter boots" to disguise sensitive topics. - **Why Algospeak Exists**: - Platforms like TikTok employ strict content moderation policies. - Certain words trigger algorithmic moderation, leading to demonetization or content removal. - Algospeak allows creators to communicate without penalties. - **Examples of Algospeak**: - "Cute winter boots" as a euphemism for heavier topics. - Other creative substitutions are designed to evade detection while retaining meaning for the audience. - **Impacts on Communication**: - Algospeak fosters a unique subculture of coded language. - It challenges the balance between free expression and platform safety policies. - The use of algospeak may lead to misinterpretations among unfamiliar audiences. - **Moderation and Algorithm Challenges**: - Moderation algorithms struggle to keep up with evolving algospeak. - Over-moderation can stifle creativity and meaningful discussions. - **Ethical Considerations**: - Does algospeak undermine transparency and accountability? - The tension between maintaining a safe platform and preserving user creativity. --- ## 📖 References: - [UserMag Article](https://www.usermag.co/p/tiktok-cute-winter-boots-meaning-explained-algospeak) --- ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Original: "TikTok creators use phrases like 'cute winter boots' as a workaround for platform moderation, enabling them to discuss topics that might otherwise be flagged." Paraphrased: "To evade moderation, TikTok users employ phrases like 'cute winter boots' to discreetly address flagged topics without triggering algorithms." 2. Original: "The rise of algospeak highlights the limitations of automated content moderation and its unintended consequences on user expression." Paraphrased: "Algospeak exposes the challenges of algorithmic moderation and its impact on restricting user creativity and free expression." --- ## 📰 Newsletter: 🎥 **Decoding TikTok's Algospeak: Creativity or Evasion?** This week, we're unpacking the viral phenomenon of algospeak on TikTok. Terms like "cute winter boots" are more than they seem—they're linguistic tools to sidestep algorithmic moderation. While innovative, this raises questions about platform transparency and the balance between creative expression and content safety. Learn more about this evolving subculture and its implications for social media platforms: [Read more here](https://www.usermag.co/p/tiktok-cute-winter-boots-meaning-explained-algospeak). --- ## ✅ Action Items: 1. Investigate how algospeak influences user engagement and platform moderation strategies. 2. Advocate for transparent moderation practices that balance safety and creativity. 3. Educate users about the potential risks and benefits of algospeak on social platforms. --- ## 🧪 Hypotheses: 1. Algospeak increases user engagement by allowing creators to circumvent moderation barriers. 2. The constant evolution of algospeak creates significant challenges for moderation algorithms. --- ### 📊 Methodology: - Conduct sentiment analysis on TikTok videos utilizing algospeak. - Analyze the frequency and effectiveness of moderation evasion tactics over time. --- ### ❓ Questions: 1. How can platforms adapt moderation algorithms to detect algospeak without stifling creativity? 2. What ethical considerations arise from the widespread use of algospeak? --- ### 🔮 Future Research: - Studying the sociolinguistic impact of algospeak on digital communication. - Exploring AI-driven solutions to improve algorithmic moderation. --- ### 💡 Implications: - Algospeak underscores the need for moderation policies that respect user expression while maintaining platform integrity. - Future developments in moderation AI must address the adaptability of user-generated coded language. --- ## 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: 1. **Visual Learners**: Include infographics showcasing examples of algospeak and their meanings. 2. **Aural Learners**: Provide links to discussions or podcasts on content moderation. 3. **Logical Learners**: Add structured data comparing flagged content with and without algospeak. --- ## 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Alt Text**: Ensure visuals depicting algospeak examples include descriptive alt text. - **Keyboard Navigation**: Confirm that interactive features in articles are keyboard accessible. --- ## 🌍 DEIB Assessment: - **Inclusive Language**: Verify that algospeak examples represent diverse cultural contexts. - **Representation**: Highlight how moderation affects different user demographics. --- ## ✅ Logical Validity: - **Strengths**: The article effectively explains the need for algospeak and its implications. - **Weaknesses**: It could further explore potential negative consequences for content integrity. --- 🔍 **DARVO Analysis**: - **Deny**: The article does not deny the existence of moderation issues. - **Attack**: No direct attack is made on platform moderation policies. - **Reverse Victim and Offender**: The content frames users as innovative rather than adversarial. --- 🔍 **SEO Evaluation**: 1. **Keywords**: "algospeak," "TikTok moderation," "social media algorithms." 2. **Meta Description**: Add a concise summary including keywords like "algospeak" and "TikTok creativity." 3. **Headers**: Use H2 and H3 tags to organize sections with relevant keywords. --- ## 🎯 Conclusion: This article highlights how TikTok users creatively navigate platform restrictions through algospeak. While this linguistic phenomenon fosters innovation, it also presents challenges for moderation algorithms and raises questions about the balance between creativity and safety. Read more here: [UserMag Article](https://www.usermag.co/p/tiktok-cute-winter-boots-meaning-explained-algospeak). - Document Tags: [[deib]] - Summary: As the U.S. government seeks to enact stricter controls over online speech, TikTok users are adopting more coded 'algospeak' to criticize and resist the government - URL: https://www.usermag.co/p/tiktok-cute-winter-boots-meaning-explained-algospeak ![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_192,h_192,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc1f877be-ade4-4102-a1be-e7029a3dcb63_910x912.jpeg) ![User Mag](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_48,h_48,c_fill,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdba39862-5a39-4d2b-be27-15dfa340269c_1280x1280.png) ###### Discover more from User Mag A tech and online culture publication by Taylor Lorenz, featuring exclusive reporting, interviews, and insights about the online world. Over 61,000 subscribers Continue reading Sign in ##### As the U.S. government seeks to enact stricter controls over online speech, TikTok users are adopting more coded 'algospeak' to criticize and resist the government [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F6e9b8366-994a-4e66-8ddf-b72c4471c112_780x520.jpeg)](https://www.switchbacktravel.com/best-womens-winter-boots) #### Why everyone on TikTok is talking about ‘cute winter boots’ For the past 48 hours, thousands of TikTok users have been posting and sharing videos ostensibly about "[cute winter boots](https://www.tiktok.com/search?lang=en&q=cute%20winter%20boots&t=1737780748142)." "I see a lot of people on this app right now making plans to buy cute winter boots," one TikToker [posted](https://www.tiktok.com/search?lang=en&q=cute%20winter%20boots&t=1737780748142) on Thursday, "...but there's a lot of things that you guys are missing.” "Here's some safety tips for going out in your cute winter boots,” another [user posted](https://www.tiktok.com/search?lang=en&q=cute%20winter%20boots&t=1737780748142), “you're going to memorize your first amendment rights, because those are the rights you're exercising when you're out in your cute winter boots." The phrase “cute winter boots” is not about footwear. It's a code phrase being used to discuss resistance to Trump and how to fight back against the draconian immigration policies his administration is enacting. Users talking about “cute winter boots” keeping people safe from "ice," are referencing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Cute winter boots" is just the latest example of algospeak, coded phrases and words aimed at subverting algorithmic filters. As the U.S. government seeks to enact stricter controls over speech online, TikTok users are adopting more coded language specifically aimed at criticizing the government and alerting others to government surveillance of online spaces. For instance, the phrase "Senator, I'm Singaporean," a quote [uttered by TikTok's CEO Shou Chew](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgLQCfypDLk) in response to Sen. Tom Cotton's racist line of questioning implying that Chew was a Chinese government agent, is now frequently posted in the comments of videos by users seeking to warn others about the content they're posting. The phrase "Senator, I'm Singaporean," has come to mean that a video is not something that the government wants, or that they're going to show this type of video to congress, a creator explained. [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F52c81d40-6670-461d-b97b-fda6f1d08733_1920x1006.jpeg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F52c81d40-6670-461d-b97b-fda6f1d08733_1920x1006.jpeg) The videos discussing "cute winter boots" leverage the TikTok algorithm's preference for product-focused content to amplify their reach. "What the algorithm likes is products," said Diana, the admin of @/citiesbydiana, a TikTok account about urban planning. "It’s a way to talk about resisting the federal government in a way that will actually reach people." Many "cute winter boots" videos also include links to TikTok shop, but instead of selling boots they're selling things like Night by Elie Wiesel, a book about the Holocaust, or items that may be useful to have in a protest, like protective gear. Some are promoting the date January 29th as a day of protest. Other "cute winter boots" videos use the phrase on videos educating people in very broad strokes about the rise of fascism, explaining how the Holocaust started and how Hitler took power. They do this through very vague references and layered algospeak to the point that many videos are incomprehensible. Some TikTok users are holding up pages of written text, often hand written in script because they believe it's harder for AI systems to read, detailing things like how to fight back against authoritarianism, or outlining Trump's immigration policies and how to protect people from or escape an ICE raid. While they cycle through these pages on screen, they espouse the need for sturdy and warm winter boots. [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F45b5c93c-7204-445b-a8e0-6f83b4fe42fa_1179x930.jpeg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F45b5c93c-7204-445b-a8e0-6f83b4fe42fa_1179x930.jpeg) Many videos and comments also include erroneous trending pop-culture related phrases like "Bridgerton," "Taylor Swift," "Wicked," "Uggs," "kpop," and "anime," in hopes these words will help the content reach a wider audience. Some mentions of “cute winter boots” appear to be a direct reference to firearms. Users have posted phrases including "you need cute winter boots so you don't slip on ice," which people have taken to mean that you need a gun to resist ICE. "They're using it to talk about constitutionally protected items and certain constitutional amendments that protect your rights to possess certain constitutionally protected items," said Diana. “Cute winter boots is code for pew pews,” a conservative influencer explained, using more algospeak— the phrase “pew pew” means gun. MAGA content creators are [already making videos about the trend](https://www.tiktok.com/@jj18310/video/7463591138419576106?_t=ZT-8tLlmh2I81W&_r=1), revealing the meaning behind the phrase and criticizing those using it. "The liberals have decided to have some sort of revolt or revolution and they're using cute winter boots to talk in code," one conservative influencer explained in a video that amassed nearly 100,000 views. [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2747019c-ffdc-43bb-8546-d1d93ed6c313_1920x1006.jpeg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2747019c-ffdc-43bb-8546-d1d93ed6c313_1920x1006.jpeg) However, creators I spoke to about the trend said that they still think the phrase is worthwhile. TikTok has allegedly been [cracking down on left-wing political content](https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2025/01/23/tiktok-free-palestine-censorship/) as the app [caters to Trump](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/tiktok-donald-trump-inauguration-party-maga-1235241317/), and creators say that they're preparing for a future in which TikTok's guidelines might change to become even more restrictive. If a U.S. company buys TikTok, most creators believe the app will become completely beholden to the interests of the U.S. government, and make speech criticizing those in power even more impossible. They hope that posting in coded language will make it harder for those in power to crack down on their content or ban them retroactively. "People are preparing for the future in which TikTok’s guidelines may change in deference to the government," Diana said. "TikTok users are smart. They understand code and they've been talking in code for years." [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2704d2a8-cd07-49c8-a8f9-df5d456e25cb_1179x1523.jpeg)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2704d2a8-cd07-49c8-a8f9-df5d456e25cb_1179x1523.jpeg) #### **DeepSeek’s** AI breakthrough is sending techies into a panic Chinese startup DeepSeek just launched a new cheap open source AI model called Deepseek R1 that’s basically a far superior version of ChatGPT. Tech people are [predictably losing their minds](https://venturebeat.com/ai/tech-leaders-respond-to-the-rapid-rise-of-deepseek/) and calling this a major breakthrough. Marc Andreessen, [posted on X](https://x.com/pmarca/status/1882719769851474108): “Deepseek R1 is one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs I’ve ever seen — and as open source, a profound gift to the world [robot emoji, salute emoji].” The Financial Times [has a good deep dive](https://archive.ph/WMUbb#selection-1735.0-1739.120) into how hedge fund billionaire Liang Wenfeng built the model on a tight budget amidst U.S. attempts to halt China’s high-tech ambitions. As VentureBeat [writes](https://venturebeat.com/ai/tech-leaders-respond-to-the-rapid-rise-of-deepseek/), “with U.S. companies raising and spending record sums on new AI infrastructure that many experts have noted depreciate rapidly (due to hardware/chip and software advancements), the question remains which vision of the future will win out in the end to become the dominant AI provider for the world.” [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F594504eb-c93d-4a95-8422-00aaef67694e_1194x418.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F594504eb-c93d-4a95-8422-00aaef67694e_1194x418.png) Of course, some techies and people in D.C. [are already calling](https://x.com/nealkhosla/status/1882859736737194183) Deepseek “a CCP state psyop” and “economic warfare to make American AI unprofitable.” As Intercept journalist Sam Biddle [points out](https://x.com/samfbiddle/status/1882884223008493887), “[It’s] interesting how often when something Chinese outperforms something American (TikTok, deepseek, cars, etc) it's a ‘psyop’ or ‘economic warfare’ or ‘digital fentanyl’ or a ‘cyberweapon’ and not just ‘another country made something people like.’” “I will [never stop pointing out](https://x.com/samfbiddle/status/1882882950368473161) the irony of China hawks coopting China's historical rationale for blocking American technology without even the slightest trace of irony or self-awareness,” Biddle added. “‘It's a western conspiracy to destabilize our nation’ is the oldest trick in the book! Meta has defended its free release of Llama on explicitly anti-China competition grounds! This is unsurprisingly not, however, a psyop, or economic warfare. “Is DeepSeek lying about its model? Maybe! I certainly would not say that ‘misleading the public about an LLM' is a Chinese thing, though.” #### Ladies and gentleman, the sign-off [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07ff0316-7b4b-4d1b-b622-ab8fe300771b_1182x886.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F07ff0316-7b4b-4d1b-b622-ab8fe300771b_1182x886.png) Miles Riehle, the guy who has been [posting the Daniel Craig SNL clip](https://x.com/craigweekend/status/1882991438851698887?s=46) where he says “ladies and gentleman, the weekend” [every Friday for years now](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2021-04-16/ladies-and-gentlemen-the-weekend), is shutting down his Twitter account. Riehle attempted to move over to Bluesky, but [got banned for impersonation](https://x.com/riehle_deal/status/1881841546561233184). Apparently [someone else on Bluesky](https://x.com/mkookier/status/1882067418505441293) ripped off his idea, and now, even though Riehle is the original creator of the account, he can’t set up shop there. He [posted a goodbye note to Twitter](https://x.com/CraigWeekend/status/1882991438851698887/photo/1) saying that it has been an honor to be the weekend’s timekeeper. RIP. #### ~Personal news~ My weekly tech and online culture [interview show](https://open.spotify.com/show/5iganPXXEoTDB9lIQzY7Fh?_authfailed=1) *[Power User](https://open.spotify.com/show/5iganPXXEoTDB9lIQzY7Fh?_authfailed=1)* broke into the top 50 tech podcasts on Spotify! You can watch full video episodes of the show on Spotify ([subscribe to the Spotify feed](https://open.spotify.com/show/5iganPXXEoTDB9lIQzY7Fh?_authfailed=1)) as well as [on my YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorLorenz). [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2506f2b7-81bc-433c-90cb-a5da4e76a7d0_1290x616.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2506f2b7-81bc-433c-90cb-a5da4e76a7d0_1290x616.png) My show is pretty small and it’s a real labor of love, so I’m really excited about this achievement. [Take a listen to the latest episodes](https://open.spotify.com/show/5iganPXXEoTDB9lIQzY7Fh?_authfailed=1) and let me know what you think! #### More fun stuff [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e70d48b-595a-4308-9026-3e0a5c5e1f91_1200x1280.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5e70d48b-595a-4308-9026-3e0a5c5e1f91_1200x1280.png) Burger King is [hiring a “Whopperologist”](https://www.dexerto.com/food/burger-king-is-hiring-a-whopperologist-and-its-a-burger-lovers-dream-3041620/) to make sure its flagship burger is up to par at its restaurants. Elon Musk wants people to think Twitter/X is thriving, but in an email to staff, he admitted [“user growth is stagnant, revenue is unimpressive, and we’re barely breaking even](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/24/24351317/elon-musk-x-twitter-bank-debt-stagnant-growth).” A man adopted a “carnivore” diet and [ate so much butter, cheese, and beef that cholesterol was oozing from his skin](https://www.wired.com/story/florida-man-eats-diet-of-butter-cheese-beef-cholesterol-oozes-from-his-body/). The [Chinese cowboy of RedNote](https://x.com/carlzha/status/1882621541831336244) is a guy who got really into Yellowstone and moved to Mongolia to live the cowboy lifestyle. TikTok it girl Alix Earle is bringing back skinny jeans with a [new campaign and collaboration with Frame denim](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/alix-earle-skinny-jeans-frame-collaboration-campaign-1236867462/). Meanwhile, Vogue questions whether Bella Hadid [is ushering in the skinny jean revival](https://www.vogue.com/article/bella-hadid-skinny-jean-revival). IKEA [did a Harlem Shake video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU7tiegUF8o) leaning into the growing trend of nostalgia for the early 2010s. Controversial antivirus software founder John McAfee [has “come back” from the dead as an AI bot on Twitter](https://x.com/aintivirus/status/1882427293265777109). Chali XCX is [making and starring in a new movie for A24](https://variety.com/2025/film/news/charli-xcx-a24-movie-the-moment-original-idea-1236283554/). OpenAI launches Operator, [an AI agent that performs tasks autonomously](https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/23/openai-launches-operator-an-ai-agent-that-performs-tasks-autonomously/). There’s [going to be a Netflix documentary](https://archive.ph/ZT9jT#selection-1481.178-1481.189) about *The New Yorker* produced by Judd Apatow. How Musk [helped boot Ramaswamy from DOGE](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/20/doge-musk-helped-eject-ramaswamy-00199487): ‘Everyone wants him out' [Bluesky’s 2024 moderation report](https://bsky.social/about/blog/01-17-2025-moderation-2024) shows how quickly moderation issues can grow as a user base expands. Nickelodeon takes on CoComelon [with first original animated series on YouTube](https://www.tubefilter.com/2025/01/24/nickelodeon-takes-on-cocomelon-with-first-original-animated-series-on-youtube/). Björk says Spotify is [the “worst thing that has happened to musicians](https://consequence.net/2025/01/bjork-spotify-worst-thing-musicians/).” "The streaming culture has changed an entire society and an entire generation of artists." [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5938d3b3-fac4-4a06-9024-2ce19c44349a_626x668.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F5938d3b3-fac4-4a06-9024-2ce19c44349a_626x668.png) Tiger King’s Joe Exotic is [despondent that Trump hasn’t pardoned him yet.](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-exotic-no-donald-trump-pardon_n_679124b5e4b0835f2b8332bf) “[Western apps are going to be playing catch-up for a very long time, no matter what happens to TikTok.](https://restofworld.org/2025/tiktok-algorithm-shopping-china/)” Flip, the TikTok Shop rival, [launches a creator fund](https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/24/flip-launches-a-creator-fund-that-grants-up-to-100m-of-equity/) that grants up to $100M of equity value. Tumblr’s [experimental GIF feed](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/22/24349904/tumblr-tv-gif-video-tab) finally launches after 10 years. Aa woman who spent the day with Elon Musk at Auschwitz [says he doesn’t care about anything but his own PR.](https://x.com/xriskology/status/1882580837725872212) Lime bikes [keep breaking Londoners’ legs](https://www.londoncentric.media/p/lime-bikes-keep-breaking-londoners). A leading London surgeon who specializes in knee reconstruction [has seen](https://www.londoncentric.media/p/lime-bikes-keep-breaking-londoners) a “big increase in Lime-bike related injuries.” Sensor Tower’s [2025 State of Mobile report is out](https://sensortower.com/blog/2025-state-of-mobile-consumers-usd150-billion-spent-on-mobile-highlights) revealing tons of insights about the mobile world. Some takeaways: * **Connecting Mobile to In-Person:** Many of the fastest growing categories connect users to their in-person experiences amid digital fatigue, such as outdoor health & fitness, grocery store, and restaurant apps. * **Mobile Gaming Bounces Back:** Gaming spend climbed to $81 billion (+4% YoY) as Strategy, Puzzle, and Action fuel growth. * **Competition Spans Across the Globe:** Retail is an example area of global competition with Chinese-backed Temu and SHEIN entering the space. * **Video Captures User’s Wallets:** Streaming and Social Media apps saw rapid revenue gains despite slowing or even declining time spent growth. * **Cryptocurrency Apps are Booming:** Improving macroeconomic conditions and higher Bitcoin prices helped fuel a resurgence in crypto apps to levels not seen since 2021. [![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4e3b64b-ddab-426d-8b88-15f744b8b191_1407x27.png)](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4e3b64b-ddab-426d-8b88-15f744b8b191_1407x27.png) **For more great content [follow my meme page](https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0/), subscribe to [my YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/taylorlorenz), and [join my Instagram broadcast channel](https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbZQPs8zLytuVxvh/) where I share links all week long.** **Listen to my podcast Power User on Apple Podcasts:** Some content could not be imported from the original document. 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