RedNote: The Rise of Rednote as TikTok’s Alternative in the US
As TikTok’s future in the United States remains uncertain, American social media users are turning to new platforms, with one surprising contender emerging: Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote in the U.S.
This Chinese social media app, which translates to “Little Red Book,” has recently soared to the top of Apple’s U.S. App Store, reflecting a growing interest among American users.
Launched in 2013, RedNote has become one of China’s leading social media platforms, boasting over 300 million users, according to research firm Qian Gua.
Often called China’s Instagram, the app is popular for its engaging content centred around travel, beauty, and fashion.
While RedNote has long been a leader in the Chinese market, its global reach has remained modest—until recently. As a potential TikTok ban looms, RedNote plans to disrupt the U.S. social media scene, offering a new alternative backed by years of success in its home market.
Could this mark the beginning of RedNote’s rise as the next global social media powerhouse? Only time will tell.
Everything You Need to Know About TikTok’s Potential US Ban
TikTok is at risk of being shut down in the United States on Sunday, as the deadline nears for its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to either divest its stake or cease operations. In April, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), presenting ByteDance with this ultimatum.
Xiaohongshu AKA RedNote is quickly gaining worldwide popularity, coinciding with the looming possibility of TikTok’s shutdown in the U.S. This week, U.S. mobile downloads of RedNote surged nearly three times compared to the previous week, according to data from San Francisco-based market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, shared with CNN on Tuesday.
According to Reuters, RedNote gained over 700,000 new users in just two days, citing a source close to the company. CNN has reached out to RedNote for comment.
By Wednesday, the hashtag “TikTok refugee” had amassed nearly 250 million views and more than 5.5 million comments, with many American users joining in protest against Washington’s stance on TikTok.
“Our government is out of their minds if they think we’re going to stand for this TikTok ban,” a user called Heather Roberts said in a video message on RedNote , which has garnered more than 45,000 likes. “We’re just going to a new Chinese app, and here we are.”
“This is so much better than TikTok,” another self-proclaimed “refugee” said in video message. “Americans are coming here … so sorry you’ll hate us, but I promise we’ll do our best.”
The rapid arrival of U.S. users on RedNote has unexpectedly created a space for Chinese and American users to connect and interact.
“I just want to reassure you that we want to try to find a way to communicate with you, be respectful to your community,” one user said. “We want to be good guests.”
Some new American users have encouraged their fellow countrymen to treat Chinese users with respect on the platform.
“Just a quick message for the American users coming over here: Please don’t bring politics here. We want to have fun here, we want to enjoy here, and we want to show respect to the people who are already here,” one user posted.
The majority of Chinese users have warmly welcomed the newcomers, with some even producing video tutorials to help the new “TikTok refugees” navigate the app.
“This could be a historic moment,” one Chinese user commented. “It feels like so much has changed in an instant. Ordinary people from our two countries have never really connected before … I hope everyone can take this brief chance to engage in meaningful exchanges of ideas.”
One user took advantage of the influx of American users by asking for help with their English homework in a viral post that garnered over 2,000 likes.
Ivy Yang, a tech analyst from China and founder of Wavelet Strategy, highlighted that the increase in American users has created “one of the most organic forms of cultural exchange between the US and China in recent years.”
She added, “Users are getting creative in overcoming language barriers, navigating cultural differences, and coexisting in fascinating ways. This real-time community-building could have a lasting impact, and I’m cautiously optimistic.”
In 2021, a similar exchange happened on the Clubhouse app, where Chinese and American users engaged in open discussions on sensitive topics. However, Chinese censors later blocked the app.
As of Tuesday, only a small fraction of posts on X about Xiaohongshu addressed sensitive topics in China, where authorities heavily monitor online content, according to media intelligence firm PeakMetrics.
RedNote initially targeted non-English-speaking users, while TikTok remains inaccessible in China.
Many view the name “RedNote” as a playful nod to the red-covered book of quotes by Mao Zedong, the founding father of Communist China.
RedNote uniquely designs its content algorithm to prioritize user interests over the people they follow. This approach fosters original content and limits the influence of top influencers.
Developed by Xingin Information Technology, RedNote was founded by Charlwin Mao and Miranda Qu and is based in Shanghai.
In contrast, TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese internet company, and caters to a global audience. TikTok is not available in China, where the local version of the app, Douyin, is used instead.
Lemon8, a lifestyle community app owned by ByteDance, currently ranks as the second-most downloaded app on Apple’s U.S. store.
Similar to TikTok, Lemon8 allows video sharing and features an aesthetic reminiscent of Instagram and Pinterest. ByteDance launched it in the U.S. in 2023.
It remains uncertain whether the potential TikTok ban could also affect Lemon8’s availability in the U.S.
Is RedNote Safe? What TikTok Users Need to Know…
If you’re a TikTok user concerned about the future of the app, you might be wondering whether RedNote is a safe alternative. RedNote, a popular social media platform, has quickly gained traction among U.S. users as TikTok faces potential shutdowns. With millions of TikTok users looking for new platforms, it’s important to assess RedNote’s safety features, privacy policies, and overall user experience. In this article, we’ll explore what TikTok users need to know about RedNote’s security measures, its potential risks, and whether it offers a safe space for social media engagement. Stay informed as we dive into the key aspects of RedNote’s safety and its rising popularity.
