Will the TikTok ban set to roll out on January 19th actually go through? As the date draws nearer, many TikTok fans across the U.S. are flocking to another popular Chinese social app, Red Note(XiaoHongShu), to protest the ban. But will this move make a difference? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
What happened to red note?
So why are these TikTok fans turning to Xiaohongshu? Well, it’s not just because Red Note is a popular platform, but also because the Chinese version of TikTok (Douyin) blocks sign-ups from non-Chinese phone numbers. That’s left a ton of TikTok fans looking for a new app, and many have gone over to Redbook.
What does xiaohongshu mean?
Xiaohongshu is otherwise known in Chinese as 小红书 or in traditional Chinese as 小紅書 pinyin. Xiǎohóngshū means Little Red Book and it is commonly known in English (Americans especially) as RedNote. Xiaohongshu is a popular Chinese social networking and e-commerce platform that has been hailed as “China’s answer to Instagram”. According to statistics from 2020, about 70% of the platform’s users were reportedly born after 1990 with females dominating nearly 70%. As of January 2025, the Chinese app has gained a massive influx of new users from the U.S. due to the anticipated shutdown of TikTok’s operation in the United States.
The name ‘Little Red Book’ or in Chinese ‘Xiaohongshu’ was inspired by its co-founder Mao Wenchao [zh]’s career at Bain & Company and education at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Both reputable institutions feature red as their main color. When the app was developed, it was initially called “Hong Kong Shopping Guide” and then, the target was mainly for Chinese tourists. However, things changed over time and now the app is known internationally. The app was officially listed on the Google Play store under the name Red note since September 2024.
Which name is more commonly used?
Some people are wondering which name is more common out of the two names ( Xiaohongshu, & Rednote). Well, according to results from the search volume of these three terms, the Chinese word “Xiaohongshu” has had a higher search volume than “Red Note” over the past 12 months. As a result of this, “Xiaohongshu” remains the more commonly used term. However, the term ‘Rednote’ seems to be more popular among English users, especially Americans.
Why does Xiaohongshu allow global phone number registrations, while other apps do not?
One good thing that has kept people talking about the Xiaohongshu app is the fact that it allows global phone number registrations. This access to global phone numbers is one thing that gives the Xiaohongshu app an edge over many other apps because most of other apps require local phone numbers in order to create an account. The reason why Xiaohongshu allows global phone number registrations is because they intend to attract international/foreign users in order to create/build a diverse community. The global phone number registration makes it easy for users outside of China to access the app, join the community, and engage/interact with people in China and other parts of the world.
How do Chinese friends view this phenomenon (the mass transition of U.S. TikTok users to Xiaohongshu)?
Talking about how Chinese friends view the mass transmission is so hilarious. Chinese netizens jokingly refer to U.S. TikTok users joining Xiaohongshu as “refugees”. Chinese people are lovely people and they’re cool to vibe with, right? As a result, the Chinese welcome the “refugees” enthusiastically with love, warmth, and arms wide open looking forward to becoming friends with them. I think the mass transition could bring about a positive development that will foster cross-cultural communication.
Are you intrigued? Let’s take a look at how they said in the pictures and comments below:
A friend of mine posted on their WeChat Moments: “Tonight’s ‘Little Sweet Potato’ (the affectionate nickname Chinese netizens use for Xiaohongshu) was really amazing, so exciting!
The Chinese netizens’ affection for them is more directly reflected in the likes and comments on these American Xiaohongshu creators’ posts. Be sure to check it out!
Conclusion
TikTok has come a long way. In fact some users in the United States have invested so much time and effort in it already. Do you think TikTok will be banned in the U.S. or not?
Trump announced a delay in the TikTok ban on January 19th.
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