Social networking apps in China outperform the US App Store rankings under potential TikTok ban.

TikTok may be under threat of being banned in the US this weekend. A bill that requires ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to sell its app has been signed by US President Joe Biden. With concerns about a ban, users are already looking for alternatives—another Chinese social network has even appeared higher up on the US App Store rankings.

China's app 'RedNote' is now No. 1 in the US App Store download rankings.

Little Red Book (known as RedNote in English) is a social networking platform created in China in 2013, competing with painting store and Instagram. The main features of this platform were for users and influencers to share product reviews and provide integrated e-commerce services. Recently, Little Red Book has also started investing in short videos like TikTok.

According to TechCrunch, RedNote has rapidly spread among young people in China, especially during the pandemic. With over 300 million active users per month—though it hasn't taken off yet in other countries—RedNote suddenly became the most downloaded app on the US App Store, surpassing apps like ChatGPT, Threads, Instagram, and TikTok. The search for alternatives to TikTok has driven an increase in RedNote's download numbers. Creators have been promoting this app widely to encourage users to switch to new platforms.

Of course, it is possible that TikTok will not be banned in the US. President Donald Trump, after the election, has already hinted at his intention to prevent a ban. However, creators must ensure they retain followers as they cannot predict what will happen next.

Interest is high, and creators are recommending Chinese apps rather than American ones like Instagram. In summary, the US Justice Department believes that behind TikTok lies a Chinese company that shares user data with the Chinese government and manipulates content shown to US users for political interference.

Time will tell if RedNote becomes the next TikTok.

References

• "Is TikTok banned in the US? It's now up to the Supreme Court."
• International legislators are urging Alibaba to remove its app 'TikTok' from the iOS App Store next month.
• Banning child-focused social media - other countries may follow suit