Xiaohongshu, the Chinese alternative to Instagram, hits the top spot on the App Store amid the potential TikTok ban in the United States.
With the possible suspension of TikTok scheduled for January 19 due to its ownership in the United States, unless the Supreme Court intervenes, many American users are beginning to migrate to a Chinese app called Xiaohongshu, as pessimism grows about TikTok's ability to overturn the ban in the country.
Amid uncertainty over TikTok's future in the United States, facing a possible shutdown on January 19 unless the Supreme Court intervenes, a new corner of the digital market seems to be attracting the attention of U.S. users. The Chinese app Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, has experienced a remarkable rise and has reached the top spot among free apps in the U.S. App Store. In turn, it has become the most popular social media app among all free apps for iPhone.
With several TikTok content creators promoting Xiaohongshu on their profiles, a flow of followers considering the possibility of migrating to this new platform is observed. Although influencers cannot predict TikTok's future, they are using Xiaohongshu as an alternative strategy. Data on installations is currently being collected for further analysis.
Xiaohongshu was launched in 2013 and has positioned itself as an attractive alternative for those looking to replace TikTok. Its design resembles that of Pinterest, and it is perceived as the Chinese version of Instagram, along with features oriented towards social commerce, which have contributed to its popularity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the app experienced significant growth among young consumers, reaching 300 million monthly active users, 79% of whom are women. At this moment, the app is at the top of the U.S. market.
The startup has also caught the attention of investors, having raised approximately $917 million in venture funding, backed by well-known names like Tencent, Alibaba, and others. It is reported that its valuation reached $17 billion following a secondary stock sale in 2024, and its profits are expected to exceed $1 billion in 2024, which could pave the way for an initial public offering (IPO).
However, it remains unclear whether Xiaohongshu will be able to maintain its current momentum and what implications its growth might have, especially in terms of regulation by U.S. authorities, considering the app's Chinese origins and no evidence of any intention to operate in the U.S. Additionally, it is observed that TikTok users are not recommending Meta apps, its main competitor in the country, which has faced its own content management issues.
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