By As the potential TikTok ban looms, TikTok users are turning to RedNote—a Chinese social media app—as a new platform for sharing content. On January 14, 2025, RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu in China, became the top free download on the Apple App Store. Many users have turned to RedNote to protest the ban and show support for China’s TikTok alternative.
What is RedNote?
RedNote is a social networking app based in Shanghai. It offers features similar to TikTok, such as short-form videos, images, text posts, and shopping capabilities. Unlike TikTok, RedNote requires users to log in before accessing content, and videos do not automatically start upon opening the app. The platform is designed to recommend content based on users’ interests, just like TikTok.
While RedNote has been available in English, many users reported that it is becoming increasingly accessible to an American audience due to its rising popularity.
Why Are People Moving to RedNote?
The TikTok ban in the United States, driven by national security concerns related to ByteDance, has sparked a wave of user migration to RedNote. Users are downloading the app in protest, hoping to send a message to both the U.S. government and social media companies like Meta, which stands to benefit from a TikTok ban through its Reels product. Some TikTok creators have even pledged to boycott Meta apps like Instagram and Facebook in solidarity with TikTok.
Memes and Viral Content Drive RedNote Adoption
The transition to RedNote has been fueled by viral memes circulating on TikTok. Users are joking about encountering their “Chinese spy” on RedNote, making light of the surveillance concerns surrounding Chinese apps. These memes have garnered millions of views, fueling frustration toward the U.S. government’s efforts to ban TikTok while some lawmakers continue using the app.
Some TikTok users have expressed their resentment on video, saying they will grant RedNote access to their location, contacts, and other personal data to mock the government’s actions. Others have voiced a more serious tone, lamenting that the ban would impact creators who have built careers on the platform.
User Growth and Popularity
Since its launch in 2013, RedNote has steadily grown, with a significant rise in users during the pandemic. It currently boasts 300 million monthly active users, with 79% of its user base being female.
Could RedNote Face a Ban Like TikTok?
RedNote could potentially face a ban similar to TikTok, but the situation is more complex. The U.S. government has the authority to target foreign-controlled apps under national security laws. While ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, is directly named in the legislation, RedNote is owned by Xingyin Information Technology, making it a different case. Experts have pointed out that even though the law could apply to RedNote, it was primarily crafted with TikTok in mind.
Some lawmakers have indicated that while the law can be used against other foreign-controlled social media platforms, its core intention is to target TikTok and its related apps.
Key Takeaways
- RedNote (Xiaohongshu) is a Chinese social media platform offering videos, images, and shopping features, much like TikTok.
- The app has become a popular TikTok alternative as users protest the U.S. government’s potential TikTok ban.
- RedNote surged to the top of the Apple App Store and has gained significant attention, with millions of TikTok users downloading the app.
- While RedNote could face a ban, it is not as clear-cut as TikTok due to its different ownership structure.
