Chinese App ‘Red Note’ Tops App Store as TikTok Ban Looms in the US
As the United States prepares for the TikTok ban set to commence on January 19, a new Chinese app, Red Note (Xiaohongshu in China), has surged in popularity, claiming the number one spot on Apple’s App Store charts for iPhone users.
Unlike TikTok competitors like Lemon8, which already had a Western audience, Red Note has remained relatively unknown in the US until now. The app allows users to share multimedia content, including photos, videos, and text posts, while fostering engagement through “follow,” “explore,” and “nearby” feeds that connect users locally and globally.
Founded in Shanghai in 2013, Red Note has grown steadily, boasting 300 million monthly active users as of July 2024, according to CNBC. The app’s valuation reached $17 billion after its latest funding round.
As Red Note claims the top spot, other alternatives like Lemon8 and Flip are emerging as popular options for users migrating away from TikTok. Following US legislation from 2024, distributors such as the Apple Store and Google Play face strict penalties for hosting TikTok. As of now, the US government has no plans to reverse the impending ban.
