A surge of “TikTok refugees” has propelled RedNote to the top spot on Apple’s US App Store.
Faced with the looming threat of a TikTok ban, US users are flocking to RedNote, a Chinese app. This migration has made RedNote the most downloaded app in the US as of Monday.
What is RedNote?
RedNote is a TikTok competitor favored by young users in China, Taiwan, and Mandarin-speaking regions. With around 300 million monthly users, it combines TikTok’s video-sharing features with Instagram-like aesthetics. Most of its users are young, urban women sharing lifestyle tips on topics from dating to fashion.
The app’s Chinese name, Xiaohongshu, translates to “Little Red Book.” However, the company insists this name isn’t linked to Mao Zedong’s famous quotations.
Legal and Cultural Shifts
The US Supreme Court is reviewing a law that could force TikTok to sell its US operations or face a ban. TikTok’s refusal to sell and its warnings about free speech violations have done little to stem user migration.
Meanwhile, RedNote has embraced new users. Over 63,000 posts using the hashtag “TikTok refugee” help newcomers navigate the platform and learn basic Chinese phrases. One US user humorously thanked RedNote’s Chinese community for their hospitality, joking about the potential chaos.
But concerns about censorship and security persist. Reports allege RedNote censors criticism of the Chinese government. In Taiwan, public officials are banned from using the app due to security risks tied to Chinese software.
Voices of the Migrants
Despite these concerns, RedNote’s popularity is growing. Marcus Robinson, a fashion designer from Virginia, joined RedNote to promote his brand. Although he was wary of signing terms written in Mandarin, he decided to take the risk.
Sydney Crawley, a tech worker in Tennessee, gained over 6,000 followers within 24 hours of joining. She plans to continue building her presence on the platform, regardless of TikTok’s fate.
For many, RedNote is an opportunity to explore Chinese culture. Sarah Fotheringham, a school canteen worker in Utah, expressed her excitement about connecting with Chinese people and learning about their daily lives. She believes RedNote has broadened her perspective.
The Future of Social Media
While TikTok’s ban won’t happen overnight, app stores could be forced to remove it, slowly diminishing its presence. Even if TikTok survives, its users’ enthusiasm for RedNote might make it hard to win them back.
For now, RedNote is thriving, offering users a new platform for creativity and connection. Whether this trend signals a lasting shift in social media preferences remains to be seen.
