TikTok Ban Looming: Are RedNote and Lemon8 the New Social Media Haven?
As TikTok faces a potential ban in the United States, an unexpected trend is emerging: two other Chinese social media apps are surging to the top of the App Store charts. RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu) and Lemon8, both with ties to China, have become the most downloaded free apps. This shift highlights a notable change in user behavior.
TikTok’s owner, ByteDance, has until January 19th to sell the app. If they fail, TikTok will face strict limitations in the US. Many American users are downloading these Chinese apps as a precaution. Some seek a backup for sharing content, while others protest the potential ban on TikTok.
However, there’s more to consider. A new law, the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, could impact all apps from specific foreign countries. This means RedNote, Lemon8, and even the video editing app CapCut may face similar issues as TikTok. The big question remains: do these new apps provide real alternatives for users, or are they just a temporary distraction while TikTok fights for survival?
Current Status of TikTok Ban
The fate of TikTok in the United States rests with the Supreme Court, which has recently heard ByteDance’s arguments against the January 19 deadline. If ByteDance fails to sell TikTok to an American company and the Supreme Court doesn’t block the law, the app will face significant restrictions. While current users won’t immediately lose access, it will gradually become less functional without updates. App stores may also incur steep fines for allowing new downloads.
The U.S. government stresses that this isn’t a blanket ban. Instead, it aims for ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok. As Justice Barrett clarified, the law focuses on ByteDance’s sale rather than an outright shutdown of TikTok. However, early signs from the Supreme Court hearing indicate the justices may not accept TikTok’s First Amendment defense. This uncertainty makes the platform’s future difficult to predict.
Why Are American TikTokers Flocking to Chinese Social Media?
As the potential TikTok ban approaches, users actively seek new social media homes. Many are turning to Chinese platforms like RedNote and Lemon8, both tied to ByteDance. This migration reflects a desire to maintain their online presence and stay connected with their communities within a familiar technological ecosystem. The transition is notable because these platforms offer features similar to what users love about TikTok.
What is RedNote?
RedNote is a popular Chinese social media app that combines elements of Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. Launched in 2013, it now reaches over 300 million users each month, mainly in Chinese-speaking regions.
The app allows users to watch short videos, read posts, and shop all in one location. Unlike TikTok, you need to sign in before browsing, which provides a more organized content experience. Many Americans download RedNote now due to fears of a TikTok ban. Although initially in Chinese, it has become easier for English speakers to navigate. Still, like TikTok, RedNote may face challenges in the US due to its Chinese ownership.
William Wong, a content creator on RedNote, points out that users appreciate the app for its variety. Beyond videos, it includes diverse content types. The app gained popularity during COVID when users sought new ways to connect online.
What is Lemon8?
Lemon8 is a content-sharing platform that launched in 2020, recently gaining traction in Western markets. The app aims to create a unique social media experience by combining the best features of Pinterest’s visual discovery, Instagram’s photo-sharing, and TikTok’s engaging content format.
The platform emphasizes lifestyle content, like fashion, beauty, food, and wellness, presenting it in a polished, magazine-like format. Its focus is on high-quality, curated content designed to inspire and inform while remaining visually appealing.
Use GeeLark for Your Social Media Migration
While the Supreme Court’s ruling is uncertain, the ban is set to take effect on Sunday, January 19—one day before the presidential inauguration.
Regardless of your stance on TikTok’s fate, expanding your social media presence on new platforms poses no risk while they’re still fresh. Perhaps you seek a new home from TikTok, or you simply want to get ahead of the curve—either way, GeeLark makes managing all your social media accounts straightforward.
Discover how GeeLark can assist you in managing multiple accounts on Lemon8 and other mobile-centric platforms:
First, visit GeeLark’s website to download the app and sign up. After you sign in, create cloud phone profiles for your social media accounts. The free plan allows for two profiles.
Input the required proxy credentials for each profile.
Next, go to the Applications menu to search for and install Lemon8.
You can install Lemon8 on all your cloud phone profiles at once through the Team’s application.
Finally, launch your cloud phone profiles and use Lemon8 as you would on any Android device.
Final Thoughts
Whether TikTok stays or goes, platforms like RedNote and Lemon8 are already making an impact, demonstrating that users find new ways to connect and create.
This period of uncertainty can serve as an opportunity for content creators and casual users alike. Embrace this chance to explore new apps and engage people in fresh ways. Social media will remain vibrant; it is simply evolving. The only question is: where will you be when the next chapter begins?