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 likely 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 threat of a TikTok ban looms over the United States, a new contender, Rednote, is rapidly gaining traction among users and content creators. 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 potential 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 users and creators to seek alternatives, with Rednote emerging as the leading choice. Known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, Rednote blends elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Originally 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 has a valuation of $17 billion as of July 2024, backed by Chinese tech giants Tencent and Alibaba.
Chinese Social Media App Rednote May Be First in Line for TikTok's Throne
Rednote's interface, which mirrors aspects of both 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 has become 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 already going viral on TikTok and other social media platforms such as 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 surge in popularity, especially once TikTok's fate is finalized. If TikTok is indeed phased out of US app stores, Rednote could see an even greater influx of new users.
