A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• The looming US ban on TikTok has propelled the Chinese social media app Rednote to surge in popularity as a potential replacement.
• Rednote combines features from Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, and is valued at $17 billion, backed by Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• As TikTok faces potential shutdown, its content creators and users are flocking to Rednote, which has topped the US App Store charts.

As the possibility of TikTok being banned in the US looms larger, a new social media app, Rednote, is experiencing a significant rise in popularity. Throughout 2024, TikTok has been embroiled in legal battles, culminating in a ban bill passed by the House of Representatives in March 2024, followed by a lawsuit from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October 2024. The concerns revolve around national security risks associated with TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, TikTok is set to be removed from Apple and Google app stores starting January 19, 2025, with the company itself indicating readiness to shut down operations.

The imminent potential shutdown of TikTok has driven US content creators and users to seek alternatives, with Rednote emerging as the leading candidate. Known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, Rednote blends elements from Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Initially launched in 2013 as a platform for product reviews and retail experiences, it has since evolved into a major hub for Chinese influencers, particularly in the beauty and health sectors. With over 70% of its user base being women, Rednote is valued at $17 billion as of July 2024, supported by investments from 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. As of January 13, Rednote is 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 sudden rise are going viral across TikTok and other platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese users on Rednote have warmly welcomed the influx of American users.

It's a striking irony that as TikTok faces a ban in the US due to its Chinese ownership, its most likely replacement is also a Chinese app. The coming days will reveal whether Rednote can maintain its newfound popularity, especially if TikTok is indeed removed from US app stores. Should that happen, Rednote is poised to see an even greater influx of new users.