A TikTok Clone is Skyrocketing in Popularity

Summary

• Rednote, a Chinese social media app blending Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok features, is experiencing a surge in popularity due to the potential US ban on TikTok.
• Backed by Alibaba and Tencent, Rednote boasts a $17 billion valuation and currently tops US App Store charts.
• A mass migration of former TikTok users and creators is fueling Rednote's rapid growth.

Amidst the potential imminent US shutdown of TikTok following legal battles throughout 2024, a Chinese social media alternative, Rednote, is rapidly gaining traction. Facing a House-passed ban bill (March 2024) and subsequent lawsuits from the Department of Justice and 13 states (October 2024), TikTok's removal from app stores on January 19, 2025, looms unless the Supreme Court intervenes. The company itself has signaled readiness for a US operational shutdown.

This uncertainty has driven US users and creators to seek alternatives, with Rednote (known as Xiaohongshu or XHS in China) emerging as a leading contender. Described as a fusion of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, Rednote, founded in 2013, initially focused on product reviews before transforming into a platform for beauty and health influencers, particularly popular with women (over 70% of its user base). Its $17 billion valuation (July 2024) is underpinned by investment from Tencent and Alibaba.

Rednote's Ascent to the Top of 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 in the US, attracting a significant influx of TikTok creators. The app's rapid rise is itself going viral on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, with amusing reactions from existing Chinese users welcoming the new American users.

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 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.