It’s been a turbulent time for TikTok users in the U.S. Amid a law that required TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to either sell its U.S. operations or face a nationwide ban, the app briefly went dark, leaving millions unable to access it.
During TikTok’s outage, Rednote, known as Xiaohongshu or “Little Red Book” in China, surged to the top of the U.S. App Store charts. The app has quickly become a haven for displaced creators, with many self-describing as “TikTok refugees.” Originally popular in Mandarin-speaking countries for its content focused on lifestyle, fashion, and dating, Rednote has 300 million active users in China and a $17 billion valuation, positioning it as a strong alternative for creators looking for a new platform.
As TikTok’s future in the U.S. remains uncertain, Rednote continues to gain traction. But what makes Rednote stand out from other established alternatives, and can it sustain its newfound popularity? Let’s break it down.