TikTok Refugees Flock to Chinese App RedNote Amid Uncertainty
TikTok may have dodged a shutdown—for now—but that hasn’t stopped hundreds of thousands of Americans from exploring a new social media home: Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote. The Chinese app has seen a massive surge in U.S. downloads, with users calling themselves “TikTok refugees” and diving into a platform that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
Last week, TikTok went dark in the U.S. ahead of a federal law that would have forced its sale or ban. While the app came back online after President-elect Donald J. Trump announced plans to delay the ban, many users had already started migrating to RedNote. The app quickly responded by rolling out a new feature: real-time translation between Mandarin and English, making it easier for Americans and Chinese users to connect.
RedNote has become a hub for cross-cultural exchange. American users are sharing everything from farm life to woodworking tutorials, while Chinese users are curious about everything from sweet tea recipes to artistic styles. One user joked about the “cat tax” tradition—showing off pets in posts—while another shared videos explaining U.S. traditions that left Chinese viewers baffled. “People are talking to each other,” said one user. “It’s fascinating to see how much common ground we share.”
Despite the friendly vibe, there are limits. Politically sensitive topics are off the table, and some users have noted the app’s stricter content moderation compared to TikTok. Still, many Americans say they feel welcome and plan to stick around, even with TikTok’s return.
As of Monday, RedNote was the most downloaded app on Apple’s U.S. store, with over 32.6 million posts tagged #tiktokrefugee and 2.3 billion views. Whether this cross-cultural connection lasts remains to be seen, but for now, RedNote is enjoying its moment in the spotlight.
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TikTok Refugees Flock to Chinese App RedNote Amid Uncertainty
https://www.99newz.com/posts/tiktok-refugees-rednote-chinese-app-1712