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 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 to Rednote has catapulted it to the top of the US App Store charts.

Amidst the anticipated US shutdown of TikTok, a Chinese social media app, Rednote, is experiencing a meteoric rise. 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 signaling potential operational cessation.

This looming ban has spurred a frantic search for alternatives among US users and creators, with Rednote emerging as the 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, boasting a user base where women constitute over 70%. As of July 2024, it commanded a $17 billion valuation, thanks to investments from Tencent and Alibaba.

Rednote's Ascendance: Claiming TikTok's US Throne

Rednote's user-friendly interface, incorporating features 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 reigns as 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 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 observers. Rednote's sustained popularity in the coming days, following the resolution of TikTok's US fate, remains to be seen. A complete TikTok removal from US app stores could further amplify Rednote's user base.