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Rabat – The clock is ticking for TikTok fans. With less than a week before the app is at risk of disappearing in the US, users are scrambling to find their next platform to share content with their followers. Some are jumping to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. But an unexpected player is entering the fray: RedNote.
This Chinese-owned app, also called Xiaohongshu, has exploded in popularity and it is now the top app on the US App Store for two days in a row. Another Chinese app, Lemon8, isn’t far behind, sitting at number two.
American TikTok users are flocking to RedNote, joining a blend of Chinese influencers and American newcomers. Videos on the app range from fashion and beauty tips to trendy challenges.
“It’s different but fun,” one new user on the app said on Reddit. “Feels like a fresh start.”
RedNote was launched in 2013 and has been a big hit in China. Now it’s worth over $17 billion, according to reports. It’s often compared to Instagram or Pinterest because of its visual layout.
The app also has features rarely seen in the US, including live online shopping events. Beauty, travel, and food influencers share tips and include affiliate links to their products and services.
But there’s one catch: the app wasn’t designed for English speakers, and some users are finding it tricky to navigate.
At the same time, TikTok’s days are numbered. The Supreme Court says TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, must sell the app to US buyers by January 19 or face a ban. ByteDance has refused to sell, and the company continues to battle it out in America’s highest ruling body.
If nothing changes, TikTok will vanish from Americans’ phones next Sunday.
This uncertainty has left creators scrambling for their next platform to thrive and earn a living through brand collaborations.
It’s unclear if RedNote can keep its American audience. Similar to TikTok, it’s Chinese-owned, which could bring the same legal troubles.
“It’s not TikTok,” said one creator, “but it might just work.”
