After TikTok: Is RedNote and Lemon8 the Next Big Thing? The TikTok Exodus: RedNote Surges to the Top

As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates the future of TikTok, millions of users are already calling themselves “TikTok refugees,” migrating to new digital frontiers.

Among the rising platforms, RedNote has emerged as a breakout star — climbing to the No.1 spot on Apple’s App Store.

Imagine Instagram’s aesthetic meets Pinterest’s discovery model, blended with a dash of community commerce.

That’s RedNote — a content-commerce hybrid already making waves in China, where it competes with giants like Alibaba and Douyin

(TikTok’s Chinese version).

Originally a shopping-first app, RedNote now boasts over 300 million monthly active users and reportedly generated around $1 billion in revenue last year.

Its layout?

Feeds like “Follow,” “Explore,” and “Nearby,” with posts consisting of photos, short-form videos, and microblogs.

As TikTok creators begin urging their communities to follow them onto RedNote,

the app has seen a surge in content labeled “moved from TikTok.”

RedNote users have embraced the newcomers — often offering onboarding guides, cultural tips, and app tutorials to help them adapt.

One notable trend?

Many users seem to prefer RedNote over Meta-owned platforms, citing increasing frustration with misinformation and content moderation issues on Instagram and Facebook.

Legal Backdrop: TikTok on Trial

At the heart of the exodus lies a high-stakes political and legal drama.

The U.S. ban on TikTok stems from national security concerns, requiring ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operations — or face a full ban. So far,

ByteDance has lost both the initial and appellate court rulings and now awaits the Supreme Court’s final verdict.

As users seek alternatives, RedNote is benefiting from TikTok’s legal uncertainty. But the question remains:

Is RedNote simply filling a void — or building a new empire?

Lemon8: ByteDance’s Backup Plan?

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, isn’t sitting idle.

Amid the turmoil, it’s quietly pushing another contender: Lemon8.

Described as a mix between Instagram’s visual appeal and Pinterest’s functionality, Lemon8 targets lifestyle enthusiasts. Launched in Japan in 2020, it has gradually expanded globally — with recent momentum pushing it up app store charts.

Reports suggest ByteDance has incentivized creators to join Lemon8, and the app offers a full suite of creative tools: slideshows, photo carousels, filters, stickers, text templates — all designed to support rich visual storytelling.

Interestingly, ByteDance has hinted at integrating TikTok with Lemon8, enabling creators to seamlessly transition without setting up new accounts. That’s a big move if TikTok’s future becomes legally unsustainable in the U.S.

TikTok has stated that this integration is part of its broader effort to support creators and enhance community-building tools. It’s not hard to imagine Lemon8 becoming the "sister app" that absorbs displaced talent and audiences.

The Elephant in the Room: Data & Censorship Concerns

However, Lemon8 isn’t free from controversy. Like TikTok, it’s under the ByteDance umbrella — and by extension, subject to U.S. government scrutiny regarding data privacy, content censorship, and ties to the Chinese state.

Legislators critical of TikTok are already eyeing Lemon8, raising questions about whether the same risks apply.

If regulators view Lemon8 through the same geopolitical lens, its U.S. expansion could face similar hurdles.

What’s Next for the Social Media Landscape?

If the Supreme Court rules in favor of a TikTok ban, expect massive shifts.

Platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to gain millions of creators and viewers overnight — mirroring the post-Vine migration in

2017 that gave rise to a new generation of influencers.

Some creators are embracing the transition. Krystan Walmsley, a TikTok content creator, now shares tutorials on navigating RedNote.

Others joke, “Time to learn Mandarin!” as they adapt to new platforms with Chinese roots.

More Than a Trend: A Changing Ecosystem

The rise of RedNote and Lemon8 isn’t just about replacing TikTok.

It signals a broader transformation in how users discover, engage, and monetize content.

People are actively seeking platforms that offer better tools, tighter communities, and new creative formats.

But the real question remains: Can these apps sustain growth while navigating cultural differences, regulatory firewalls, and data scrutiny?

For now, the exodus from TikTok is reshaping the digital map — and RedNote and Lemon8 are leading the charge.

At least for now.

• As TikTok faces U.S. ban, China's RedNote tops Apple app store

• RedNote, Lemon8 rise to top of App Stores ahead of TikTok ban