A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• The potential US ban on TikTok has led to a significant increase in the popularity of the Chinese social media app Rednote, positioning it as a possible replacement.
• Rednote combines features from Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, and is valued at $17 billion with investments from Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• With the looming TikTok ban, former TikTok content creators and users are migrating to Rednote, which has surged to the top of the US App Store charts.

The potential shutdown of TikTok in the US due to ongoing legal battles throughout 2024 has sparked a significant rise in the popularity of another Chinese social media app, Rednote. As TikTok faces an uncertain future, Rednote is emerging as a leading alternative for content creators and users.

The journey towards a TikTok ban began in March 2024 when the US House of Representatives passed a bill targeting the app. Subsequent legal actions by the Department of Justice and 13 states in October 2024 further escalated the situation, citing national security concerns related to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. Unless the Supreme Court steps in, TikTok is set to be removed from Apple and Google app stores starting January 19, 2025, with ByteDance indicating readiness to cease operations in the US.

As the deadline approaches, US content creators and users are actively seeking alternatives, and Rednote, also known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, is gaining traction. Launched in 2013, Rednote initially focused on product reviews and retail experiences before evolving into a platform for Chinese influencers, particularly in beauty and health sectors. It boasts a user base that is over 70% female and is valued at $17 billion as of July 2024, 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 blends elements reminiscent of TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts as of January 13, surpassing other notable apps like Lemon8, ChatGPT, and Threads. The app is becoming the go-to platform for TikTok creators looking to establish a new presence. Videos discussing Rednote's ascent are gaining viral status across TikTok and other social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese users on Rednote are warmly welcoming the influx of American users.

The irony is palpable as TikTok, facing a ban due to its Chinese ownership, might be replaced by another Chinese app, Rednote. The coming days will reveal whether Rednote can maintain its surge in popularity, especially as TikTok's fate in the US becomes clearer. Should TikTok be officially phased out of US app stores, Rednote is poised to welcome an even larger wave of new users.