Rise of RedNote: A Chinese Social Media App Surges in Popularity Amid TikTok Uncertainty
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Chinese social media app RedNote is the number one app as TikTok ban looms
As the looming TikTok ban in the US draws near, a previously unknown Chinese social media app has surged to the top of Apple and Google’s app stores. RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu or “little red book,” has become the new number one app in the App Store and is currently ranked 34th on Google Play.
The sudden rise of RedNote can be attributed to TikTok users and creators who have begun posting about their experiences trying out the Chinese app. Many have even taken to welcoming “TikTok refugees” to the platform, showcasing its similar short-form video format. With much of the app’s interface in Chinese, a tutorial on TikTok has been shared by some creators to help users navigate the app and change the language to English.
RedNote, which has over 300 million users in China, is not new to the social media scene. In fact, it has been popular for years as a challenger to ByteDance’s Douyin and e-commerce giant Alibaba. Its sudden rise in popularity can be seen as a reaction to the impending TikTok ban.
This phenomenon is not limited to RedNote alone. Other apps have also seen significant growth, including another ByteDance app called Lemon8, which has become a popular alternative. Flip, an app that features short-form videos and an in-app storefront, has also seen a surge in popularity. ReelShort, on the other hand, is more of a wannabe streaming platform with bite-sized clips of longer “movies” featuring bizarre titles.
While it remains to be seen how long these apps will remain popular, their sudden rise to the top of the app stores serves as a stark reminder of TikTok’s influence and the impact its ban will have on the social media landscape.
Source: www.engadget.com
