• Users are exploring RedNote and Lemon8 as TikTok ban looms.
• RedNote, with over 300 million users, has emerged as a leading choice.

In just a couple of days, the United States will decide whether to officially ban TikTok. As the clock counts down, TikTok users are finding creative ways to resist the impending ban, and one popular alternative gaining traction is a Chinese app called RedNote, known as “China’s TikTok” by some users.

RedNote, known as Xiaohongshu in China, has climbed to the top of the Apple App Store in the US as TikTok’s fate hangs in the balance. Unlike TikTok, RedNote combines photos, short-form videos, and text posts into a single platform, with content organised into “follow,” “explore,” and “nearby” feeds.

The proposed TikTok ban stems from national security concerns about its ties to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. In response, many users have turned to RedNote, seeing it as both an alternative platform and a form of protest.

While RedNote shares some similarities with TikTok, it’s not a direct clone. It’s a versatile social media app owned by Shanghai-based Xingyin Information Technology. RedNote offers community-building tools, shopping features, and multimedia sharing. It has quickly become a refuge for American TikTokers, with many encouraging their followers to join the platform as a symbolic stand against the ban. Some have framed this move as a way to challenge both the US government and Meta, which could benefit from TikTok’s absence by attracting users to its TikTok-inspired Reels. It’s worth noting that Meta has faced accusations of lobbying against TikTok in the past.

A quick glance at RedNote’s “Explore” page reveals a mix of English and Chinese content. Many American users are calling themselves “TikTok refugees” and sharing posts about starting fresh on the platform. Some are even asking Chinese users about popular memes or trends in China, fostering an interesting cultural exchange.

RedNote is not a new app; it launched in 2013 as a shopping-focused platform. It now has over 300 million monthly active users and reportedly made more than $1 billion in profit last year, according to Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, TikTok’s fate is being argued in the Supreme Court. Discussions have centred on whether the app should be banned outright or if ByteDance should sell its US operations to an American company. A decision, expected by January 19, will determine TikTok’s fate in the US.

In anticipation of a potential ban, some users have pledged to boycott Meta’s platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, for a week. Others are simply preparing to move their online presence to RedNote. Then, there’s Lemon8, a mix of Instagram and Pinterest, launched in the United States in 2023, and has gained traction, now seen as another potential TikTok replacement. However, because it is also a ByteDance product, it’s unknown how long it can escape the same scrutiny.

What sets RedNote apart? For one, its user interface differs from TikTok’s. Videos don’t autoplay on opening the app, and users must log in to access its features. The app offers a personalised experience with content tailored to individual preferences.

The app’s growing popularity has sparked humour and camaraderie among users. Posts welcoming “TikTok refugees” are plentiful, with others joking about meeting their “Chinese spy” counterparts. These lighthearted memes and cultural exchanges reflect shared frustrations with the political undertones of the TikTok ban.

Jokes about the situation have further fueled the discussion. TikTok users are creating videos bidding farewell to their “Chinese spy friends,” with some even speaking in Mandarin. The humorous posts, often critical of the US government’s stance, have gone viral, highlighting a mix of humour and discontent.

As Sunday approaches, TikTok users anxiously await the Supreme Court’s decision. Many are already exploring life beyond TikTok

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