A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• With TikTok facing a potential US ban, the Chinese social media app Rednote is experiencing a surge in popularity as a potential replacement.
• Combining elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, Rednote boasts a $17 billion valuation, backed by tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• Former TikTok creators and users are migrating to Rednote en masse, propelling it to the top of the US App Store charts.

A new social media app, Rednote, is rapidly gaining popularity as US users and creators seek alternatives to TikTok, which may soon be banned in the United States. Following legal battles throughout 2024, including a House-passed ban bill in March and a lawsuit from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October, TikTok's future in the US is uncertain. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, TikTok will be removed from app stores starting January 19, 2025, with the company itself indicating readiness for a US shutdown.

This looming ban has driven users and creators to seek alternatives, with Rednote (known as Xiaohongshu or XHS in China) emerging as a leading contender. Often described as a blend of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, Rednote, founded in 2013, initially focused on product reviews before evolving into a platform for beauty and health influencers, particularly popular among women (over 70% of its user base). As of July 2024, it held a $17 billion valuation, supported by Tencent and Alibaba.

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

Rednote's design, incorporating elements similar to TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it to the top of the US App Store charts, surpassing apps like Lemon8, ChatGPT, and Threads. As of January 13th, it's the most downloaded app in the US, attracting a significant influx of TikTok creators. Videos documenting Rednote's rise are going viral on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, with Chinese users on the app even welcoming the influx of American users.

The irony isn't lost on many: as TikTok, a Chinese-owned app, faces potential removal from the US market, another Chinese app may be its successor. Rednote's sustained popularity remains to be seen, especially in the coming days as TikTok's fate becomes clearer. A complete US ban could lead to even greater user growth for Rednote.