[TikTok is likely to be banned in the United States on Sunday, and many users are already bidding farewell to the app and seeking out alternatives. Despite the challenges, a slate of newer apps has surged in popularity this week, including RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu), Lemon8, Clapper, Flip, and Fanbase.
RedNote, a China-based app reminiscent of Instagram, has seen a significant surge in popularity, with users welcoming the app as a potential replacement for TikTok. The app is popular for sharing tips on travel, makeup, and fashion, and many American users joined the app out of spite for the US government, which banned TikTok over national security concerns related to its China-based parent company.
Some users are also flocking to Lemon8, a Pinterest-like app from TikTok parent company ByteDance, which was first pushed to American users in early 2023. However, security experts have raised concerns that both of these platforms could be subject to the same ban as TikTok, as they are controlled by a foreign adversary.
While some popular mainstream apps, such as Instagram and YouTube, may benefit from TikTok’s demise, users are also finding that these apps lack the unique charm and community of TikTok. Mainstream platforms have been trying to replicate TikTok’s popular features, but users still feel there is no true replacement for the app.
TikTok’s algorithm, which feeds users videos based on sometimes startlingly accurate predictions of their interests, is seen as one of the app’s key differentiators, and any alternative will have to replicate this algorithm to become a real TikTok replacement.
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