Ban Deadline Extended, but Businesses Still on Edge as Millions Hang in the Balance
Georgia’s economy isn’t just watching the TikTok drama unfold from the sidelines—it’s sitting in the front row, biting its nails. With over 300,000 businesses tied to the platform and a looming federal ban, there’s more than clout and dance trends at stake.
President Donald Trump just bought TikTok 75 more days of life in the U.S., signing an executive order to delay the ban and giving ByteDance more time to strike a deal. Oracle’s name is back in the spotlight, and a leasing arrangement for the app’s algorithm is reportedly on the table. But for thousands of entrepreneurs in Georgia, the clock is ticking loud and clear.
A Lot More Than Teen Trends: TikTok Is Deeply Rooted in Georgia’s Economy
It’s easy to brush TikTok off as something for teens lip-syncing or influencers chasing views. But that’s far from the whole picture in Georgia.
In fact, TikTok’s economic footprint in the state is pretty massive. A 2024 Oxford Economics report found that around 300,000 businesses in Georgia actively use the platform, and 210,000 jobs are connected to TikTok-related work.
One standout voice in the mix? Dr. Betsy Grunch from Gainesville. She’s a practicing neurosurgeon and, yep, a TikTok creator with 2.4 million followers. Her videos helped patients recognize symptoms, book appointments, and learn about treatments—all while growing her medical practice.
That’s just one story. There are thousands more. Restaurants, skincare brands, auto repair shops—you name it—are building audiences and making sales, one TikTok at a time.
Small Businesses, Big Gains
If there’s one group that’s really found gold on TikTok, it’s Georgia’s small and mid-sized businesses.
Let’s look at some real numbers from last year:
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91% of SMBs in Georgia said their sales went up thanks to TikTok
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76% grew their operations after joining the app
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Together, these businesses contributed $750 million to Georgia’s GDP
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Plus, they generated $140 million in federal, state, and local taxes
That’s not just pocket change.
And here’s the kicker—these businesses didn’t need ad agencies or million-dollar budgets. TikTok gave them organic reach, something Facebook and Instagram rarely offer without deep pockets.
One-sentence fact: That kind of visibility for small businesses is hard to come by.
By the Numbers: How Businesses Really Use TikTok
The value TikTok brings isn’t only in views or likes—it’s tangible business growth. A wide swath of businesses in Georgia depend on the platform for things like hiring, reaching underserved communities, and even securing funding.
Here’s what local entrepreneurs reported:
| TikTok Business Impact in Georgia | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Helped scale operations | 74% |
| Gained investments | 65% |
| Hired employees via TikTok | 51% |
| Reached new communities | 39% |
Some businesses even reported using the app to run entire recruitment campaigns or expand to markets they never thought possible.
What Happens if TikTok Gets the Boot?
If TikTok gets banned in the U.S., Georgia could feel the sting almost immediately.
One estimate from CNBC last December projected that businesses across the country could lose over $1 billion in revenue in just one month. That would send shockwaves through the state’s economy, especially for entrepreneurs who built their customer base through TikTok.
It’s not just about revenue either. The fallout could mean:
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Massive job disruption—with 210,000 Georgia jobs hanging in the balance.
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Marketing chaos—many businesses will be forced to turn to expensive alternatives like Meta.
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Community impact—minority-owned and underrepresented businesses, in particular, risk losing key financial and social capital.
All in all, it’s a lose-lose-lose scenario if the app vanishes.
Oracle’s Role, Trump’s Hand, and What’s Next
So, is there a rescue plan in place? Maybe.
Oracle, owned by billionaire Larry Ellison—who’s not shy about his Trump support—is reportedly back in the mix. They already handle TikTok’s cloud infrastructure, and now a leasing deal for the algorithm is being discussed to sidestep some of the regulatory red tape.
Trump’s 75-day extension buys time. But how much more runway does TikTok have?
The fate of TikTok in Georgia and beyond might boil down to how this deal shakes out. Businesses are holding their breath—not for the next viral dance, but to see if they’ll still have a key sales channel in a few months.
