A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• The potential US ban of TikTok has led to a significant increase in popularity for 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.
• As TikTok faces a possible shutdown, its former users and content creators are migrating to Rednote, which has surged to the top of the US App Store charts.

As the possibility of a TikTok ban in the US looms closer, a new contender, Rednote, is experiencing a massive surge in popularity. 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 from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October. The underlying concern is the national security risks posed by 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 the company itself indicating readiness to cease operations.

The uncertainty surrounding TikTok's future has driven US content creators and users to seek alternatives, with Rednote emerging as the leading choice. Known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, Rednote blends elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Founded in 2013, it initially focused on product reviews and retail experiences before becoming a go-to platform for Chinese influencers in beauty and health. Rednote boasts a predominantly female user base, with over 70% of its users being women. As of July 2024, the app 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 aspects of TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts, surpassing other popular apps like Lemon8, ChatGPT, and Threads. By January 13, Rednote became the most downloaded app in the US, attracting a flood of TikTok creators eager to establish a presence on the platform. Videos discussing Rednote's rise are going viral not only on TikTok but also on other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese users on Rednote are welcoming the sudden influx of American users.

The irony is palpable: as TikTok faces potential removal from the US due to its Chinese ownership, its most likely successor is another Chinese app. The coming days will reveal whether Rednote can maintain its newfound popularity, especially if TikTok is indeed phased out of US app stores. Should that happen, Rednote could see an even greater influx of new users.