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.
The imminent potential shutdown of TikTok in the US has unexpectedly boosted a rival Chinese social media platform, Rednote. Following legal battles throughout 2024, including a House-passed ban bill in March and a lawsuit from the Department of Justice and 13 states in October, TikTok faces removal from US app stores on January 19, 2025, unless the Supreme Court intervenes. The company itself has signaled readiness for a US shutdown.
This looming ban has driven US TikTok users and creators to seek 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, transitioned from a product review platform to a hub for Chinese beauty and health influencers. Its user base is predominantly female (over 70%), and it held a $17 billion valuation as of July 2024, thanks to investment from Tencent and Alibaba.
Rednote's ascendance in the US App Store is remarkable. Its user-friendly interface, incorporating elements similar to TikTok and Pinterest, has propelled it past competitors like Lemon8, ChatGPT, and Threads, securing the top spot as of January 13th. A significant influx of TikTok creators is further fueling its growth, with videos documenting Rednote's rise going viral across various platforms. Interestingly, Chinese Rednote users are welcoming this wave of American newcomers.
The irony of TikTok's potential demise in the US due to its Chinese ownership, only to be potentially replaced by another Chinese app, is not lost on observers. Rednote's sustained popularity beyond the immediate aftermath of the TikTok ban remains to be seen. However, a complete TikTok removal from US app stores could significantly amplify Rednote's user base.
