Home RedNote app soars to top of US charts as TikTok ban looms

RedNote app soars to top of US charts as TikTok ban looms

TLDR

  • RedNote tops US App Store as TikTok faces a potential ban this week.
  • 300M users share trends, shop, and explore through the lifestyle platform.
  • Concerns rise as terms are in Mandarin; users join despite uncertainties.

With TikTok’s ban in the United States looming, the Chinese platform RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu) has become the most downloaded app on Apple’s US store as people look for an alternative.

It was on Monday when the TikTok competitor topped the App Store charts, with 63,000 posts on the topic ‘TikTok refugee.’

The app is predominantly popular with young people in China, Taiwan, and other Mandarin-speaking populations with around 300 million monthly users. When signing up, the app’s terms and conditions are written in Mandarin.

According to the BBC, it’s mostly “young urban women” who are using the platform and it allows them to “exchange lifestyle tips from dating to fashion.”

A fashion designer from Virginia, named Marcus Robinson, told the publisher that he created his RedNote account over the weekend to share his clothing brand and “be ahead of the curve.”

When discussing the terms and conditions of the app, he said: “I wasn’t able to actually read them so that was a little concerning to me, but I took my chance.”

TikTok has just days before the law is enacted on Sunday (January 19) which will ban the app and its operations in the United States due to national safety concerns.

What is RedNote?

On the Google Play Store, the RedNote app is described as being a “dynamic lifestyle platform for young people to share experiences, explore a real, beautiful, and diverse world, and find the lifestyle they desire.”

The app, which launched in 2013, focuses on diving into the latest trends and hobbies. Its Chinese name is Xiaohongshu and it translates to ‘little red book’ in English.

The app is growing in popularity as TikTok’s end in the United States closes in, with RedNote also enabling users to discover, research and purchase products directly through the site.

The platform combines social and e-commerce, much like ByteDance’s TikTok currently does. It also utilizes livestreaming elements, as well as videos.

Featured Image: Screenshot via Apple App Store, created on Canva

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech, gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, AI breakthroughs, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Sophie Atkinson
Tech Journalist

Sophie Atkinson is a UK-based journalist and content writer, as well as a founder of a content agency which focuses on storytelling through social media marketing. She kicked off her career with a Print Futures Award which champions young talent working in print, paper and publishing. Heading straight into a regional newsroom, after graduating with a BA (Hons) degree in Journalism, Sophie started by working for Reach PLC. Now, with five years experience in journalism and many more in content marketing, Sophie works as a freelance writer and marketer. Her areas of specialty span a wide range, including technology, business,…

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.