🧭 Introduction: Not Every Platform Is Global — So Don’t Treat It Like One
You ever heard someone say, “Hey, let’s run our short video campaign on Likee!”
And your immediate reaction is, “Wait, who’s even watching Likee videos these days?”
Fair question.
In the U.S., Likee barely shows up on the radar. Most people here think TikTok, Reels, maybe YouTube Shorts.
But here’s the kicker: Likee isn’t dead. It’s just not popular where you live.
If you’re a brand, cross-border seller, or influencer eyeing global exposure, you can’t afford to ignore localized data. Likee may not work for your U.S. campaign — but in some markets, it’s still pulling real numbers. Like, shockingly real.
So… where exactly is Likee still alive and kicking? And more importantly:
Where does it actually make sense to run ads, do creator collabs, or test product videos?
Let’s break it down — no fluff, just the real stuff.
1. 🇮🇳 Likee Is Still Big in India’s Tier 2–3 Cities (Yes, Even After the Ban)
Hold up — wasn’t Likee banned in India in 2020?
Yes. But here’s the twist. Even after the official ban, VPN use surged in semi-urban areas.
There’s a whole underground scene in Tier 2–3 cities where creators are still uploading content for local audiences. Mostly comedy skits, lip-syncs, and desi-style edits.
Insider tip: Some Indian agencies still source micro-influencers from “shadow accounts” and publish clips on third-party apps.
⚠️ Caution: Don’t run paid ads here. Focus on UGC-style collabs if you know the regional language.
2. 🇧🇷 Brazil — The Unexpected Likee Powerhouse in Latin America
Brazil’s Gen Z doesn’t just live on TikTok.
A big chunk of them uses Likee as a second-stage platform — especially outside São Paulo and Rio.
Why?
Because Likee gamifies everything: coins, ranking, small creator boosts.
It’s kinda like TikTok meets Bingo Blitz.
Some creators even told us they post first on TikTok, but they earn more engagement on Likee thanks to the in-app challenges.
For FMCG and beauty brands, this is gold. Run seeding with mid-tier creators in Northern Brazil. You’ll get cheaper CPMs and surprisingly loyal followers.
3. 🇮🇩 Indonesia — Where Likee Still Breathes Freely
In Java, Bali, and even Sumatra, Likee still holds a spot among Gen Z and lower-income users with cheaper Androids.
Why?
It’s lightweight, uses less data, and the UI is more forgiving on budget smartphones.
Case in point: A small skincare brand we spoke to ran a Likee-first launch in Surabaya — results? 3x ROI compared to Instagram.
There’s also a local creator ecosystem that’s hungry for collabs. Payment via GoPay, ShopeePay, or even pulsa (yes, still a thing!).
4. 🇷🇺 Russia & CIS — Quiet But Loyal
Likee may not be loud in Russia anymore, but it still has a tight niche audience, especially in regional cities across Siberia and Central Asia.
Places like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus?
Still active. Still watching. And surprisingly responsive to trend-style videos.
Word on the street is that Likee ads perform better than Reels in niche hobby verticals — cooking, crafts, and mom content.
For affiliate marketers and resellers in these regions, this is a goldmine nobody’s mining yet.
5. 🇪🇬 Egypt & North Africa — Rising Interest in Short Video Beyond TikTok
Likee has carved out a small but vocal user base in parts of Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco.
Think teens, early 20s, not super urban, often on mid-tier Androids.
They’re not uploading much original content — but they scroll, they comment, they share.
Bonus: Arabic language hashtags trend faster on Likee than TikTok in this region.
If you’re doing dropshipping or beauty collabs targeting MENA, it’s worth exploring localized Likee campaigns — just don’t expect the same reach as TikTok.
6. ⚠️ Where It’s NOT Worth Bothering (Anymore)
Let’s just be honest. Some markets are done with Likee:
- 🇺🇸 USA: Basically invisible. No organic reach. Waste of ad spend.
- 🇬🇧 UK: Dead app walking.
- 🇫🇷 France: Nobody’s watching.
- 🇨🇦 Canada: Stick to Reels or Shorts.
Don’t burn your budget hoping to “be the first brand to crack Likee” in these markets. It’s not gonna happen.
💡 Final Take: Likee’s Not for Everyone, But It’s Not Dead (Yet)
Likee isn’t trying to compete with TikTok anymore.
It’s just living quietly in pockets of the world where TikTok hasn’t fully saturated — or where smartphone specs and data plans still matter.
If you’re a brand or creator looking to expand into tier-2 global markets, Likee can be a cheap and efficient sandbox to test ideas, soft-launch campaigns, or build loyal micro-communities.
But don’t go in blind.
✅ Use local payment methods
✅ Partner with local agencies or micro-creators
✅ Avoid direct paid ads — go native, go content-first
✅ And test small. Always test small.
Because in this game?
The loudest platforms aren’t always the most effective.
