Summary
- The potential US ban of TikTok has led to a significant increase in the popularity of the Chinese social media app Rednote, which is seen as a potential replacement.
- Rednote combines elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok and is valued at $17 billion, with investments from Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
- Many former TikTok content creators and users are migrating to Rednote, which has reached the top of the US App Store charts.
The looming ban on TikTok in the US has sparked a surge in popularity for another Chinese social media platform, Rednote, as content creators and users search for a new home. Throughout 2024, TikTok has faced numerous legal challenges, culminating in a potential shutdown. In March 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill to ban TikTok, followed by a lawsuit from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October 2024, citing national security concerns related to TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, based in Beijing. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, TikTok will be removed from Apple and Google app stores starting January 19, 2025, with the company preparing to cease operations.
As the deadline approaches, US content creators and users are turning to Rednote, known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, as a promising alternative. Launched in 2013, Rednote initially focused on product reviews and retail experiences before becoming a major platform for Chinese influencers, particularly in beauty and health sectors. It's especially popular among women, who constitute over 70% of its user base. With a valuation of $17 billion as of July 2024, Rednote is 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 blends elements 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 has become the most downloaded app in the US, with TikTok creators eager to establish their presence on the platform. Videos discussing Rednote's rise are already viral on TikTok and other 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 a ban due to its Chinese ownership, its likely replacement is also a Chinese app. It remains to be seen whether Rednote can maintain its momentum in the coming days, as TikTok's fate in the US becomes clearer. If TikTok is indeed removed from US app stores, Rednote could see an even greater influx of new users.
