TikTok Clone Soars in Popularity

Summary

• The potential US ban on TikTok has spurred a significant rise in popularity for the Chinese social media app Rednote, positioning it as a leading alternative.
• Rednote combines features from Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok and is valued at $17 billion, with support from Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• As TikTok faces possible shutdown, its users and content creators are migrating to Rednote, which has surged to the top of the US App Store charts.

As the threat of a TikTok ban in the US looms larger, content creators and users are rapidly turning to Rednote, a Chinese social media app, as a potential replacement. Throughout 2024, TikTok has faced numerous legal challenges, culminating in a ban bill passed by the House of Representatives in March and a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and 13 states in October. The core issue revolves around national security concerns linked to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, TikTok is set to be removed from Apple and Google app stores starting January 19, 2025, with the company indicating its readiness to cease operations.

The impending potential disappearance of TikTok has driven US users and content creators to seek viable alternatives, and Rednote has quickly emerged as the top choice. Known as Xiaohongshu (or XHS) in China, Rednote blends elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Originally launched in 2013 as a platform for product reviews and retail experiences, Rednote has evolved into a key hub for Chinese influencers, particularly in the beauty and health sectors. The app enjoys a predominantly female user base, with over 70% of its users being women. As of July 2024, Rednote is valued at $17 billion, backed by major Chinese tech companies Tencent and Alibaba.

Chinese Social Media App Rednote May Be First in Line for TikTok's Throne

Rednote's interface, which mirrors elements of TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts. As of January 13, Rednote has become the most downloaded app in the US, attracting a flood of TikTok creators eager to establish a presence on the platform. The buzz around Rednote's ascent is evident on social media, with viral videos about its rise appearing on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Interestingly, existing Chinese users on Rednote have warmly welcomed the sudden influx of American users.

The irony is palpable: as TikTok faces elimination from the US market due to its Chinese ownership, its most likely successor is also a Chinese app. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Rednote can maintain its surge in popularity, especially as the fate of TikTok in the US becomes clearer. Should TikTok indeed be removed from US app stores, Rednote could see an even greater influx of new users.