American users flock to Xiaohongshu, despite the platform being mostly entirely in Mandarin (Reuters creative commons license)

Xiaohongshu, more commonly known as “little red book” or “rednote”, is becoming the new TikTok alternative for many U.S users. The platform, comparable to Instagram, has seen a jump in users and becoming #1 on Apple’s top downloaded apps. According to Rest of World, the app’s success in the US was mainly driven by U.S users dubbed “TikTok refugees,” finding a new app to continue connecting with people on social media because of TikTok’s impending future.

The app, which boasts over 300 million active users in China, was originally launched in 2013, but has soon evolved into the tik tok-like app known today. According to CNN, the app is still primarily tailored towards Chinese users. However, many international users are currently joining the app, due to the ban on Tiktok because of its parent company ByteDance connections to China. Fortunately, in 2018, they released an international version of it’s app, allowing those without a chinese phone number to create an account and allow them to connect with chinese users this way.

Senior Ro Oberdick is one of the many Hayfield Secondary users who use Xiaohongshu.

“I really enjoy using xiaohongshu because it allows me to view trends and videos from different countries and cultures, not just America,” Oberdick said.

For many in China, the appeal of Xiaohongshu goes beyond its lifestyle content. According to OregonLive, the app’s arrival in the U.S has sparked a moment of Fellowship between the Chinese and American users. The hashtag #TikTokRefugee has surged in popularity, with many American users creating a community on the app. The users are usually met with humorous and friendly interactions with the platform’s user base.

“I’ve had Xiaohongshu for a long time and I mostly use it for makeup and fashion inspiration, but I’ve also found people on there who I enjoy talking with so I use it to chat as well,” Oberdick said.

Xiaohongshu’s positive atmosphere, especially as Chinese netizens ask newcomers to send pictures of their pet cats known as “cat tax”. This cute but lighthearted exchange has fostered an unexpected relationship between Chinese and American users.
Despite its growing appeal in the U.S, questions start to linger over how Xiaohongshu might be able to navigate through international growth. While it remains popular among Chinese users, the app’s content is strictly controlled by China’s “Great Firewall” which censors most of the global internet. Although the regulations don’t particularly apply to international users yet, it remains to be seen how long it will last if the app continues to expand.

As of now, Xiaohongshu offers a chance for Americans to engage on a platform that has been strictly for Chinese users. Many of these users are keen to explore the app’s unique connect, asking questions about life in China and comparing different social norms between the two countries.

The rise of Xiaohongshu is more than just a trend. It shows how the digital landscape is evolving between global tensions. Whether or not this platform will stay for TikTok users or become a popular app still remains uncertain. However, its growing influence offers a glimpse into the future of digital interaction–one where borders between online worlds and real life worlds are blurred, with apps like Xiaohongshu serving as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.