Chinese TikTok ‘Xiaohongshu’ Goes Viral Amid US Ban

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As TikTok faces a potential US ban starting on January 19th, another Chinese social media platform called Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, has gained popularity online. With jokes about the app spreading rapidly across the internet, many people are asking questions such as what this app does, what it provides, and how it compares to TikTok.

Here is all we know about Xiaohongshu, aka RedNote.

Xiaohongshu aka RedNote goes viral amid TikTok US Ban

As a fellow enthusiast, I jumped at the opportunity to explore RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, when TikTok was under threat of ban in the U.S. This influx of new users earned us the nickname “TikTok refugees” by existing Chinese RedNote users who welcomed us with open arms. Even some seasoned RedNote veterans took time to create video guides for us novices, helping us navigate this captivating app. Intriguingly, Xiaohongshu translates to “Little Red Book,” which adds a touch of intrigue to our digital journey.

RedNote became the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store on Tuesday.

2013 saw the establishment of RedNote, an innovative platform developed by Xingyin Information Technology based in Shanghai. This versatile application serves as a blend of social media and e-commerce, allowing users to express themselves across various lifestyle domains such as food, travel, beauty, fashion, and fitness. Users can engage with others by posting images, short videos, or even live streams, showcasing their interests and experiences.

Approximately 300 million individuals utilize the app, and women account for nearly 8 out of every 10 users. The widespread appeal of RedNote has even impacted its competitor, TikTok. Users have been active in creating memes that humorously document their initial experiences with the platform. Yet, some have raised doubts about the sudden rise in RedNote’s popularity.

Many users have expressed that they find the app simpler, more user-friendly, and more captivating than TikTok. Given the potential non-enforcement of the TikTok US Ban, these users are likely to persist with this platform. In an interview with BBC, a tech worker from Tennessee, Sydney Crawley, stated that she intends to carry on using RedNote and expand her following there. Crawley further disclosed that she managed to accrue more than 6000 followers on the platform within a single day.

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2025-01-14 14:10