TikTok Clone Surges in Popularity

Summary

• TikTok's potentially imminent US ban has led to a surge in popularity for the Chinese social media app Rednote as a possible alternative.
• Rednote combines elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, and is valued at $17 billion with investment from Chinese tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent.
• As TikTok users and creators look for a new platform, Rednote has quickly risen to the top of the US App Store charts.

As TikTok faces potential closure in the US, a new contender, Rednote, is rapidly gaining traction as a possible replacement. Throughout 2024, TikTok has been embroiled in legal battles, culminating in a ban bill passed by the House of Representatives in March and subsequent lawsuits filed by the Department of Justice and 13 states in October. The core issue revolves around national security concerns related to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, TikTok will be removed from Apple and Google app stores as of January 19, 2025, with the company itself signaling readiness to cease operations.

The looming ban has spurred a rush among US TikTok users and content creators to find viable alternatives, with Rednote emerging as the leading option. Known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, Rednote blends features of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Originally launched in 2013 as a platform for product reviews and retail experiences, it has since transformed into a major hub for Chinese influencers, particularly in the beauty and health sectors. Rednote boasts a user base that is over 70% female and is valued at $17 billion as of July 2024, with significant investments from Tencent and Alibaba.

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

Rednote's user interface, reminiscent of TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts, surpassing other notable apps like Lemon8, ChatGPT, and Threads. By January 13, Rednote became the most downloaded app in the US, attracting a wave of TikTok creators eager to establish a presence on the platform. The buzz around Rednote's ascent is evident on TikTok and other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, where videos about its rise are going viral. Interestingly, Chinese users on Rednote are welcoming the sudden influx of American users.

The irony of TikTok's potential exit from the US due to its Chinese ownership, only to be possibly replaced by another Chinese app, is not lost on observers. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Rednote can maintain its momentum, especially as TikTok's fate hangs in the balance. If TikTok is indeed removed from US app stores, Rednote is poised to welcome an even larger number of new users.