A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• The potential US ban of TikTok has propelled the Chinese social media app, Rednote, to unprecedented popularity as a viable alternative.
• Rednote, a hybrid of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, boasts a $17 billion valuation, backed by Chinese tech giants Alibaba and Tencent.
• A mass migration of former TikTok creators and users to Rednote has catapulted it to the top of the US App Store charts.

Amidst the potential imminent US shutdown of TikTok, a Chinese social media app, Rednote, is experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity. Following legal battles throughout 2024, including a House-passed ban bill in March and a Department of Justice lawsuit in October, TikTok's future in the US hangs precariously. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, its removal from app stores is slated for January 19, 2025, with the company itself suggesting a potential operational shutdown.

This impending absence has spurred US users and creators to seek replacements, with Rednote emerging as a leading contender. Known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, Rednote blends elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Initially launched in 2013 as a product review platform, it evolved into a significant hub for Chinese beauty and health influencers, particularly popular among women (over 70% of its user base). As of July 2024, it commanded a $17 billion valuation, fueled by investments from Tencent and Alibaba.

Rednote's Ascent to the Top of the US App Store

Rednote's user-friendly interface, 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. The app's rapid rise is generating viral content across various platforms, including TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese Rednote users are actively welcoming this surge of American users.

The irony of TikTok's potential demise due to its Chinese ownership, only to be potentially replaced by another Chinese app, is not lost on many. Rednote's sustained popularity in the coming days, following the clarification of TikTok's US fate, remains to be seen. A complete TikTok removal from US app stores could further amplify Rednote's user growth.