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 looming 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 faces potential removal from app stores on January 19, 2025, unless the Supreme Court intervenes. This impending ban, aimed at mitigating national security concerns linked to ByteDance, TikTok's Beijing-based parent company, has spurred a search for alternatives among US users and creators.

Rednote, known as Xiaohongshu (XHS) in China, has emerged as a leading contender. Described as a blend of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, it initially focused on product reviews before evolving into a platform for beauty and health influencers, particularly popular with women (over 70% of its user base). Its $17 billion valuation (July 2024) reflects backing from Tencent and Alibaba.

Rednote's Ascendance in the US App Store

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, 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 new wave of American users.

The irony of TikTok's potential demise due to its Chinese origins, only to be potentially replaced by another Chinese app, is not lost on observers. Rednote's sustained popularity beyond the immediate aftermath of TikTok's fate remains to be seen. A complete removal of TikTok from US app stores could, however, further accelerate Rednote's user growth.