How ironic, US citizens are trading one Chinese social media for the other. As the US supreme court ponders the future of TikTok, users have now switched to another alternative, but what is it?
Xiaohongshu, which means “little red book” but shortened to RedNote has surged to the top of Apples app store.
Founded in 2013, the hugely popular Chinese app has over 300 million users and has been described as “China’s answer to Instagram”, often used to share posts about travel, makeup and fashion.
Although the app has been around for over 10 years now, it has never broken into the foreign market, until now.
So what’s the difference between the two apps, well for one, RedNote is designed for Chinese speakers whilst TikTok isn’t in China at all.
One of the app’s key features is its content algorithm, which focuses on user interests rather than the people they follow.
A growing number of TikTok users have started appearing on the platform, often saying they’re doing so as an act of defiance against Washington’s move to control TikTok.
The new hashtag “TikTok refugee” has gained nearly 60 million views and over 1.7 million comments, with many self proclaimed “Refugees” saying RedNote is “so much better” with one even saying “Americans are coming here … so sorry you’ll hate us, but I promise we’ll do our best.”
The proposed TikTok ban will be taking place on January 19th unless the supreme court steps in or the app is sold to an American owner.
Photo Credit: Advocate
