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, 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 faces potential imminent shutdown. Following legal challenges 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 in the balance. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, the app will be removed from app stores starting January 19, 2025, with the company itself stating readiness for a US shutdown.

This looming ban has spurred a search for alternatives, with Rednote (known as Xiaohongshu or XHS in China) emerging as a leading contender. Described as a blend of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, Rednote, founded in 2013, initially focused on product reviews before evolving into a significant platform for Chinese beauty and health influencers. Boasting a user base where women comprise over 70%, it holds a $17 billion valuation (July 2024), backed 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 Rednote even welcoming their new American counterparts.

The irony of TikTok's potential demise due to its Chinese ownership leading to a Chinese replacement is not lost on observers. Rednote's sustained popularity remains to be seen, particularly in the days leading up to the January 19th deadline. A complete TikTok removal from US app stores could significantly boost Rednote's user base further.