UpScrolled #1 App! The Palestinian-Founded TikTok Alternative Surging Worldwide

A relatively new social media app called UpScrolled has surged to the top of the social networking charts in Apple’s U.S. App Store, surpassing major platforms including TikTok, Threads, and WhatsApp. 📈🎉

Launched in June 2025 by Palestinian‑Jordanian‑Australian tech entrepreneur Issam Hijazi, the platform has now crossed more than one million users worldwide as of late January 2026, a massive leap from just tens of thousands earlier this month. 📊🔥 Founder Issam Hijazi said he built the app to give creators a space to post freely without censorship, inspired by personal losses in Gaza. UpScrolled continues to grow rapidly in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and globally.

The app supports photos, short videos, and text posts, with a chronological feed and a Discover page highlighting trending topics, currently dominated by Palestine-related content. The platform claims no shadowbans, no hidden algorithms, and moderation only for illegal content.

The surge in downloads has been linked to growing concerns about content censorship on traditional platforms like Instagram and TikTok, especially following TikTok’s recent U.S. ownership transition. Many users are drawn to UpScrolled’s chronological feed and promises of minimal algorithm control and no shadowbans, making it a perceived refuge for freer expression and discussion, particularly around Palestine‑related topics. 🇵🇸📢

With its rapid rise and #1 ranking in the U.S., UpScrolled is emerging as one of the most watched social media alternatives of 2026, especially among users concerned about censorship and algorithm control. 💬🌍👀📲

Sources: Forbes / Al Jazeera