Summary
- The potential US ban of TikTok has propelled the Chinese social media app, Rednote, to unprecedented popularity as a potential replacement.
- 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 is fueling Rednote's ascent to the top of the US App Store charts.
A surge in popularity is sweeping through a new social media app as US-based content creators brace for TikTok's potential demise. After navigating legal battles throughout 2024, TikTok faces imminent closure, potentially paving the way for the Chinese social media platform, Rednote, to fill the void.
TikTok's future in the US has been shrouded in uncertainty for months. A TikTok ban bill passed the House of Representatives in March 2024, followed by a lawsuit from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October 2024. The ban aims to mitigate national security concerns stemming from TikTok's Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance. Barring Supreme Court intervention, TikTok's removal from Apple and Google app stores is slated for January 19, 2025, with the company itself signaling its readiness for a US shutdown.
This looming absence has spurred US creators and users to seek alternatives, with Rednote (known as Xiaohongshu or XHS in China) emerging as a leading contender. Often described as a blend of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, Rednote, founded in 2013, initially focused on product reviews and retail experiences before evolving into a platform for Chinese beauty and health influencers. Its user base is predominantly female (over 70%), and as of July 2024, it commanded a $17 billion valuation, backed by Tencent and Alibaba.
Rednote's Rise to the Top of the US App Store
Rednote's user-friendly interface, incorporating elements similar to TikTok and Pinterest, has catapulted 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 wave of TikTok creators eager to establish a new online presence. Videos documenting Rednote's meteoric rise are already trending across TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Interestingly, Chinese Rednote users are welcoming this influx 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 ability to maintain this surge in popularity remains to be seen in the coming days, as TikTok's fate in the US becomes clearer. A complete removal of TikTok from US app stores could trigger an even more significant influx of users to Rednote.
