TikTok Clone Surges in Popularity

Summary

• TikTok's potential US ban has led to a surge in popularity for the Chinese social media app Rednote, seen as a possible replacement.
• Rednote combines features from Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok and is valued at $17 billion, backed by Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• Former TikTok users and creators are flocking to Rednote, which is currently topping the US App Store charts.

The looming ban of TikTok in the US has sparked a significant shift towards another Chinese social media platform, Rednote, as a potential successor. Throughout 2024, TikTok faced numerous legal challenges, culminating in a ban bill passed by the House of Representatives in March, followed by 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. Without intervention from the Supreme Court, TikTok is set to be removed from Apple and Google app stores by January 19, 2025, with the company preparing for a potential shutdown.

As US content creators and users seek alternatives, Rednote, known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, has emerged as a leading contender. Launched in 2013, Rednote initially focused on product reviews and retail experiences before becoming a popular platform for Chinese influencers in beauty and health. It's particularly favored by women, who constitute over 70% of its user base. Valued at $17 billion as of July 2024, Rednote has substantial backing from Chinese tech giants Tencent and Alibaba.

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

Rednote's interface, which blends elements of TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts, surpassing other popular apps such as 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. Videos discussing Rednote's rise are going viral across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese users on Rednote are welcoming the sudden influx of American users.

The irony is palpable: as TikTok faces removal from the US due to its Chinese ownership, its most likely replacement 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.