The news: TikTok’s continuity is the clearest proof that China-linked apps can keep thriving while shaping what US consumers watch, buy, and download at scale—even under continuous scrutiny from Washington.

Chinese apps and algorithms are staying dominant because they manufacture demand without relying on search intent. Temu and Shein follow the same playbook: controversy up top, velocity underneath.

By the numbers:

• TikTok was the No. 2 most-downloaded app in the US in 2025, while CapCut, which is also owned by TikTok’s parent company ByteDance, ranked No. 4, per Sensor Tower.
• Temu slid from first place but still finished No. 7 overall in US downloads in 2025.
• Shein remained the top US apparel-shopping download, with 25.7 million monthly active app users, per Backlinko, tightening its grip on price-led discovery as consumers chased deals over geopolitics.

TikTok didn’t just survive regulatory uncertainty—it kept growing. We forecast TikTok’s US ad revenues will reach $17.17 billion this year, a 22.3% YoY increase.

Implications for brands: TikTok, Temu, and Shein turn passive attention into purchases by stitching entertainment, product discovery, price cues, and checkout into one loop.

Brands should consider these apps as transaction-driven media: platforms to build feed-native creative. Judge performance based on revenues and keep budgets flexible to scale what converts fast—user-generated-content-style demos, creator reviews, limited-time bundles, and price-led offers that make checkout feel seamless.