Published on BaoLiba – insights from someone who’s actually in the creator trenches
1️⃣ Let’s Talk Real: Before TikTok, There Was Dubsmash
If you’re Gen Z, chances are you’ve heard of TikTok, maybe even Vine. But real ones remember Dubsmash – the lip-sync app that blew up in 2014, way before TikTok was even a thing.
You’d pick a soundbite – usually a meme or a movie line – record yourself mouthing the words, maybe throw in a dramatic head tilt or a wink, and boom: instant clout.
In the early days? It was viral AF.
By 2015, Dubsmash had over 50 million downloads across 190+ countries. Celebs were using it. Rappers were launching singles through it.
But in 2025? Most people ask:
“Wait… is Dubsmash still alive?”
Let’s break it down.
2️⃣ How Dubsmash Sparked a Whole Movement
Before “For You Page” was a thing… there was Dubsmash. It made:
- lip-sync culture cool
- short-form, audio-based creativity go mainstream
- early virality feel democratic – all you needed was a camera, a soundbite, and energy
It paved the way for how sound-based memes now dominate TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.
The problem?
Being first doesn’t mean you’ll stay king.
3️⃣ Why Dubsmash Faded – The Painful Reality
Let’s not sugarcoat it. Here’s what went sideways:
🧠 Lack of Innovation
While TikTok invested in a killer algorithm, creator tools, and a scroll-addictive UX… Dubsmash stayed basic.
💸 No Creator Incentives
No monetization. No ad rev sharing. No fund. TikTok started cutting checks. Dubsmash didn’t.
🌍 Weak Localization
TikTok was smart – they built local teams in LA, Mumbai, and Berlin. Dubsmash? Mostly HQ’d in Germany and New York, without local creator ecosystems.
📱 UX Fatigue
The app felt clunky. No duet. No remix. No trend tools. In short: it just didn’t evolve fast enough.
4️⃣ The Comeback Attempt (And What Actually Happened)
In 2020–2021, Dubsmash tried to reposition. They focused heavily on Black creators in the U.S., especially on hip-hop trends and social equity in algorithms (which TikTok was notoriously bad at back then).
They even got acquired by Reddit in late 2020.
Big hope. Big news. Big silence after.
By early 2022, Reddit officially shut down Dubsmash and folded some of its tech into Reddit’s native video product.
Yup. The OG is gone.
5️⃣ So… Should We Just Forget Dubsmash?
Absolutely not. Here’s why:
- A lot of the TikTok format DNA came straight outta Dubsmash
- It proved that audio-led short-form video wasn’t just a fad
- Many viral challenges (even on TikTok today) echo the early Dubsmash formula
For creators and brands? There’s a huge takeaway:
It’s not always about who starts the trend. It’s about who adapts fastest.
6️⃣ What Brands & Creators Can Learn in 2025
✅ If you’re a brand:
Just being early doesn’t matter. You need to go where the culture lives. In 2025, that’s TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and sometimes Bigo Live or Snap if your niche fits.
✅ If you’re a creator:
Platform loyalty won’t pay your rent. Go where the tools are better and the money flows.
✅ If you’re building the “next Dubsmash”:
Don’t just build a tool. Build a creator economy around it. Without monetization + community + content engine = you’re toast.
🔚 The Bottom Line: Dubsmash Died, But It Walked So TikTok Could Run
Respect the OGs. But don’t copy their mistakes.
Dubsmash lit the match. TikTok poured gasoline.
And in 2025, brands and creators who win are the ones who move fast, partner smart, and understand culture – not just code.
