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Chinese social media app RedNote is the number one app as TikTok ban looms
As the impending ban of popular short-form video-sharing platform TikTok draws near, users are scrambling to find alternative apps that can satisfy their craving for bite-sized entertainment and creative expression. And it appears that a Chinese social media app called RedNote has seized this opportunity to rise to the top of Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Currently, RedNote is ranked as the number one app in Apple’s store and the 34th spot in Google’s play store. This sudden surge in popularity can be attributed to TikTok creators who have begun posting about their experiences with the Chinese app on other platforms, effectively promoting it to their massive user base.
For those unfamiliar with RedNote, the app operates similarly to TikTok, featuring a vertically scrolling feed that allows users to discover and engage with short-form videos based on their interests. While much of the interface is in Mandarin Chinese, there are helpful tutorials available on TikTok that explain how to change the app’s language to English.
Despite being relatively unknown outside of China, RedNote has actually been popular in its home country for over a decade, boasting an impressive user base of over 300 million users. This sudden influx of new users is likely due to RedNote’s similarities with TikTok and the confusion surrounding the impending ban.
It’s not just RedNote that has benefited from TikTok’s impending doom, however. Other ByteDance apps like Lemon8 are also trending in both Apple and Google’s stores. The app is currently ranked second and first respectively, although it’s likely to face a similar fate as TikTok should the Supreme Court side with the Biden Administration.
Other video-sharing platforms like Flip and ReelShort have also seen an increase in popularity, with Flip being valued at over $1 billion last year following its rebranding.
Source: www.engadget.com
