What is RedNote? The Chinese social media app drawing in 'TikTok refugees' in the US

Icons for the smartphone apps Xiaohongshu and TikTok. Credit: AP

Words by Jamel Smith, ITV News Producer


TikTok users in the US are outraged as the platform's future hangs in the balance, with the Supreme Court unanimously upholding the federal law which will see the app banned on Sunday unless it's sold.

Fearing TikTok’s potential shutdown, some users have dubbed themselves 'TikTok refugees' online and are flocking to an unexpected alternative: Xiaohongshu, a widely popular social media app in China.

Xiaohongshu, which means Little Red Book in Chinese and is nicknamed RedNote by US users, climbed to the top position on Apple’s US App Store on Tuesday.

So, what is RedNote, and why are US TikTok users flocking to it in droves? ITV News explains

What is RedNote?

Founded in 2013, RedNote is one of China's biggest social media platforms with 300 million users, according to research firm Qian Gua.

Described as China’s answer to Instagram, RedNote has garnered popularity for its focus on travel, makeup, and fashion tips.

Why are Americans downloading RedNote in droves?

An increasing number of American TikTok users are joining RedNote, framing it as an act of defiance act against Washington's efforts to ban TikTok.

By Tuesday, the hashtag TikTok refugee had amassed nearly 60 million views and more than 1.7 million comments.

One user called Heather Roberts said in a video on RedNote: "Our government is out of their minds if they think we’re going to stand for this TikTok ban.

"We’re just going to a new Chinese app, and here we are."

Another self-professed refugee said: "Americans are coming here … so sorry you’ll hate us, but I promise we’ll do our best."

How are Chinese and American users interacting on RedNote?

American newcomers have urged their fellow users to show respect for Chinese users 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.

Most Chinese users have warmly welcomed the newcomers, with some offering 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.”

As more Americans join, some Chinese users have jokingly referred to themselves as Chinese spies, referring to the concerns of US officials that TikTok could be used for spying and political manipulation.

One Chinese user took advantage of the influx of Americans and posted a viral request for help with their English homework, which received over 2,000 likes.

Ivy Yang, a China tech analyst and founder of consulting firm Wavelet Strategy, said the new American users had “unexpectedly created one of the most organic forms of cultural exchange between the US and China we’ve seen in recent years.”

How is RedNote different to TikTok?

For starters, RedNote was not designed with English speakers in mind, while TikTok is unavailable in China.

The company behind RedNote, Xingin Information Technology, 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 was tailored for a global audience. It is also not accessible in China, where a sister app, Douyin, serves the domestic market.

The name Xiaohongshu could be seen as a playful nod to a red-covered book by Communist China’s founding father, Mao Zedong.

A standout feature of RedNote is its content algorithm, which prioritises user interests over who they follow. Some users argue this promotes more original content and diminishes the influence of powerful influencers.


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Why do US politicians want TikTok banned?

Washington’s disapproval of TikTok stems from fears that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, is allegedly linked to the ruling Communist Party and may secretly collect user data.

The Chinese government and TikTok have consistently denied the allegations, with the platform refusing to sell its US operations.

The platform's lawyers argue that a ban would violate free speech rights for its 170 million US users.

Are US TikTok users moving to any other social media platforms?

Lemon8, a lifestyle community app also owned by ByteDance, is currently the second-most downloaded app on Apple’s US store.

With a similar video-sharing function to TikTok, Lemon8 is modelled after Instagram and Pinterest and was launched in the US in 2023.

It remains unclear whether the potential TikTok ban could also threaten Lemon8’s operations in the US.


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