US TikTok users flock to another Chinese social media called RedNote over potential ban

As the potential ban of TikTok in the US looms ever closer, many users of the popular short-form video app are turning to new platforms, with one app in particular seeing a surge in popularity. Little Red Book, also known as Xiaohongshu or “RedNote,” is climbing the ranks of both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store.  

The app, which offers a similar format to TikTok, has captured the attention of creators seeking an alternative platform, becoming the top-ranked app in the Apple store and reaching the 34th spot on Google’s platform.

Little Red Book gains traction among TikTok creators

RedNote has gained rapid momentum as TikTok users look for new platforms in the wake of the possible ban. TikTok creators have been sharing their experiences with the Chinese social media app, encouraging their followers to try it out. Many users have posted videos welcoming “TikTok refugees” to the service, further boosting its popularity.  

The app offers the same vertical video feed users are familiar with, tailored to personal interests. However, much of the app’s interface is still in Chinese, which can be confusing for new users. Fortunately, there are tutorials available on TikTok to help users change the app’s language to English, making it more accessible for a global audience.

A familiar competitor from China

Although RedNote seems to have appeared suddenly in the US market, it has been a popular app in China for over a decade. According to CNBC, the app, which competes with ByteDance’s Douyin and Alibaba, currently boasts around 300 million users.  

RedNote’s sudden rise in popularity highlights the extent to which TikTok’s potential ban has influenced users to explore alternatives. Alongside RedNote, another ByteDance app, Lemon 8, is also seeing a surge, ranking second in Apple’s store and first in Google’s Play Store. However, much like TikTok, Lemon8 could face the same challenges if the US government takes action against Chinese-owned apps.

Other apps gaining popularity amid TikTok uncertainty

In addition to RedNote and Lemon8, several other video apps are also trending. Flip, a social shopping platform featuring short-form videos, is gaining attention, currently ranking at number 14 on Google’s Play Store and number four on Apple’s App Store.

The app, created by Humans, Inc., blends social media with shopping features. Another app, ReelShort, has also benefitted from the TikTok uncertainty. The app features bite-sized movie clips, with titles like “The Heiress Blacklisted her Husband” and “In Love with the Alpha.” It ranks at number seven on the App Store and second on Google Play.

While the future of these apps is uncertain, their rapid rise in the app stores highlights the significant influence TikTok creators and users hold in shaping digital trends. The increasing popularity of alternative platforms also underlines how the influence of Chinese tech companies may persist, regardless of a TikTok ban.