Americans Flock to Chinese App RedNote as TikTok Prepares to Go Dark in the U.S.

As TikTok faces an impending ban in the United States, its American users are pivoting to alternative platforms, with many landing on the Chinese-owned app RedNote (known as Xiaohongshu or RedBook). PeakMetrics found that X (Twitter) posts about RedNote began surging around midday on January 13th and continue to climb, marking it as a popular alternative for TikTok users preparing for the app’s shutdown.

The Rise of RedNote in Online Conversations

RedNote reportedly shot to the top of Apple’s App Store rankings as posts about the app surged. By 11 a.m. EST on January 14th, the number of posts on X about RedNote (83,010) was already 11% higher than the total posts on January 13th (74,316). This growth follows a massive spike on January 13th, with posts increasing by 2,500% compared to the previous day.

The sustained increase in RedNote-related conversations suggests the conversation has not yet peaked, signaling that more Americans are exploring or discussing the app as an alternative to TikTok.

Sentiment and Trends in the Conversation

Many TikTok users see the shift to RedNote as a form of protest against the U.S. government’s ban of TikTok and a rejection of U.S. tech companies like Facebook. A significant portion of posts praised RedNote for fostering cultural exchange and connection between U.S. and Chinese users.

Smaller Narratives Taking Shape 

Smaller narratives are also taking shape within the broader conversation about RedNote. Posts referencing “TikTok refugees” peaked at 578 mentions at 10 a.m. ET on January 14th, accounting for just 5% of the overall discourse about the app. 

Meanwhile, discussions about controversial topics banned on RedNote due to Chinese restrictions on free speech, such as the Uyghurs and Tiananmen, represented an even smaller portion. These X posts began emerging around 8 p.m. ET on January 13th, following the initial surge, and peaked at only 129 mentions per hour by 10 a.m. on January 14th, making up just 1% of total posts about RedNote on X. This data suggests that the overall sentiment around RedNote remains more positive than negative. These indicators suggest the conversation around RedNote is likely more positive than negative. 

Closing Thoughts

The explosion of interest in RedNote underscores how rapidly the online landscape can shift when platforms face regulatory roadblocks. With the TikTok ban looming, it remains to be seen whether RedNote can sustain its momentum or if another platform will emerge to fill the void.