LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Local social media influencers could lose out on revenue if TikTok is shutdown in the United States.

TikTok said it will have to “go dark” this weekend unless the United States assures the company it won’t enforce a shutdown of the popular app after the Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning the app unless it’s sold by its China-based parent company.

The Supreme Court in its ruling held that the risk to national security posed by TikTok’s ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States.

The potential ban has Louisville creators shifting to other social media sites. 

Chase Stetson has 1.3 million followers on his TikTok account That Lawn Dude. Stetson went viral for his landscaping designs, and was previously featured on WDRB News. 

that lawn dude 4

"The lawn dude ain't playing no games," Rick Ross said.

Stetson was one of the early lawn care adopters of TikTok, building his profile in 2020. 

"The only goal I had initially was to get some equipment for my lawn care business here," Stetson said.

That first goal grew into something much greener for Stetson.

Rapper Rick Ross watched Stetson's videos and had him work at his Atlanta home ahead of an event that was attended by Cam Newton and 2 Chainz. Stetson has also mowed fields at MLB stadiums.

The social media app has opened up opportunities for the Louisville man.

"TikTok is the easiest platform to grow on because of the viral aspect of it," Stetson said.

Stetson also inspired his friend Jordan Cloyd, who has now gone viral himself. After playing golf in high school, Cloyd continued to work on his game into his 20s. 

Stetson knew his friend had a passion and knowledge for golf, so he encouraged him to create his own account.

"We were on my bachelor trip, I said 'you're good at golf, why don't you try it out, you could be That Golf Dude,'" Stetson said. "He ran with it. It's awesome to see how far he's come and he has so much more potential."

Jordan Cloyd That Golf Dude

That Golf Dude post on TikTok

Cloyd has been growing his social media profile for the past two years. That Golf Dude has around 50,000 followers on social media platforms and millions of views on TikTok.

"I had people coming up to me which is even more weird in Louisville, people are like 'are you That Golf Dude?' I was like 'yeah, how do you know me,'" Cloyd said. 

The golfer said the ban would strip away income instantly for creators.

"TikTok is a massive revenue maker. People have made their whole careers off TikTok," Cloyd said. "You're just erasing tens of thousands of followers at the snap of a finger."

Although Stetson first started on TikTok, he's worked to diversify his revenue stream on social media with Instagram and YouTube.

"I have a fall back plan," Stetson said.

But a loss of TikTok does impact That Lawn Dude's following.

"If TikTok is banned, I lose a third of my audience," Stetson said. "My pitch to brands is less followers, less platforms.

"It's unfortunate because some people might not have big followings on other accounts. It's pulling the rug out from underneath them if TikTok is gone."

Both local creators plan to focus more on YouTube and other platforms.

"I'll find new ways to get creative, maybe another app comes along if it's gone," Cloyd said. "I didn't start it for the numbers, I didn't start it for the followers, I started it because I love golf." 

To see more of "That Lawn Dude," check out his YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. 

To see more of "That Golf Dude," check out his YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. 

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