REDnote/Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book): The Best Alternative for TikTok Refugees

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, a Chinese tech company, is facing potential restrictions or an outright ban in the United States due to national security and data privacy concerns. Congress has passed a law requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. operations by January 19, or face restrictions that would disable the app over time. However, ByteDance refuses to sell TikTok and insists that the platform is not operated by the Chinese government. The Supreme Court is now deciding whether to uphold the ban, with the decision expected soon.

So what happens if TikTok is banned?

You won't be able to download the TikTok app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. If you already have TikTok installed, you can still use it, but the software and security updates won't work, so eventually, you can't use the App.

According to TikTok CEO Shou Chew, there are 170 million monthly active users in the US. Banning TikTok will affect many active users, especially content creators who rely on TikTok for income or a platform to reach target audiences. Those who use TikTok to learn new things also lose an entertaining way to gain knowledge through bite-sized educational content.

Luckily, you can find many TikTok alternatives like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, Snapchat, and REDnote (Xiaohongshu). There's an increase in REDnote or Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) users after receiving the TikTok ban news. Many TikTokers are migrating to a new popular social media REDnote/Xiaohongshu and the Chinese community is welcoming them.

What is REDnote/Xiaohongshu/Little Red Book

Xiaohongshu (Rednote or Little Red Book in English) is a popular social media and e-commerce platform with complete features from social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube Shorts, and Pinterest. According to a 2024 report by Qiangua, Xiaohongshu has 300 million monthly active users.

Since most social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram are banned in China, Xiaohongshu users in China use REDnote as a combination of both for tutorials, lifestyle sharing, travel vlogs, etc.

It started as a social media platform to share fashion, lifestyle, and beauty shopping recommendations, but today you can find all types of topics on Rednote/Xiaohongshu.

REDnote/Little Red Book/Xiaohongshu Key Features:

• Engagement and interaction

  Xiaohongshu(Little Red Book) fosters active interaction, enabling users to comment, like, and share content, creating an engaged community around specific interests such as beauty, fashion, tech, education, and travel. One of the awesome features is that you can collect helpful content and go back to it whenever you need it.

• A broad range of content

  You can find all types of topics such as health, wellness, home decor, fitness, personal growth, or funny cat videos. It's not only social media but also a mini search engine. Since the platform relies heavily on authentic and original content, many users share personal stories, experiences, and reviews.

  There are some specific things that you won't find on Google or other search engines. Plus, if you have any questions, you can comment on the post, and you're most likely to get a response very soon.

• Short videos and photos

  You can post photos, videos, and text on Xiaohongshu/REDnote/Little Red Book. The photo content format works similarly to Instagram but has more editing tools. For example, you can add text, filters, stickers, and templates for images.

  

• Hashtag-based

  You can find specific topics or trends quickly using hashtags, and the Little Red Book/REDnote will recommend precise content based on your search.

• Personalized feeds The app uses an algorithm to personalize your feeds based on your interests, interactions, and past activity.
• Influencer & KOL collaborations You can be or find influencers and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) on REDnote/Xiaohongshu and collaborate with brands. If you have over 1000 followers on the Little Red Book, you can join the influencer program to let businesses find you.
• In-App shopping You can purchase recommended products directly within the app, often through partnerships with retailers and brands, creating a smooth shopping experience. You can also embed a product link in your post, similar to TikTok Shop and Instagram Shop.

Why Use Rednote/Xiaohongshu

So what makes Xiaohongshu (REDnote/Little Red Book) the best TikTok alternative? Here are 5 reasons why you should try Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book):

1. High-quality and precise content

Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) prioritizes high-quality, informative, well-designed, and authentic content. It's a good place to look for "help" and "how-to" tutorials, as many professionals like educators, doctors, or psychologists use REDnote to share educational content.

For example, if you're interested in educational content like math, if you search for "math", "calculus" or any math topics, Xiaohongshu will show you precise math-related posts or videos based on your search, such as Pre Calculus cheat sheets, math tutors, recommendations for math solvers, etc. Plus, (a bit of stereotype here) Chinese are good at math, you'll be learning from the masters!

Btw, Mathos.ai is on Xiaohongshu/REDnote too! It's an all-in-one powerful AI math solver and calculator that helps students learn and excel in mathematics through AI homework helpers, math tutoring, and real-time feedback.

2. All-in-one platform

You can use REDnote/Xiaohongshu as a social media, e-commerce, and search engine. Let's say you're planning a trip to visit Italy and have no idea where to visit, where to stay, what to look out for, etc. If you go to Google, you'll find blogs, and blogs, and blogs. On YouTube, you'll see videos of people enjoying their trips. Each platform does its job, right?

Now if you check Xiaohongshu, you are most likely to see an influencer sharing her photos of traveling in Italy, wearing a beautiful dress linked to her e-commerce store, and in the text content, she shares her 5-day itinerary in Italy.

3. Strong user community engagement

Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) fosters strong user community engagement and maintains an engaged user base, with members actively contributing to and benefiting from the shared knowledge and experiences within the platform.

You'll find many Q&A sessions and people are participating actively. If they can't help, they often refer to someone or recommend some tools. So most of the time you'll get your problems solved. People with the same interests can also join a small group. Some content creators even host LiveSteam sections to help the community out.

For example, if you search for Calculus AB and find a useful post sharing a free AP math exam, you can see other users discussing the questions below in the comment sections, and there's an option to join a group/community where you can get more free AP math test exams.

1. Monetization opportunities

As I mentioned in the features above, you can become an influencer on Xiaohongshu, and work with brands through product placements and sponsored posts, or affiliate marketing. You can also sell digital products or services.

A good example is the Tarot business. You can create content of general daily card pulls and tips, then offer personalized readings and charge an amount or sell tarot-related products like energy stones, etc.

1. Culture exchange

Although Little Red Book is growing internationally, most Xiaohongshu/REDnote users are Chinese, so if you're interested in Chinese culture, this is the best place to explore and make friends. Another advantage is that if you need any help with the App, most users are willing to help you effectively. Chinese people know more about Chinese apps.

I know, most content is in Chinese, but you can easily translate it using an AI tool.

REDnote/Xiaohongshu vs TikTok: What's the Difference

Feature	Rednote/Xiaohongshu	TikTok
Focus	Lifestyle, Product Reviews, E-commerce	Entertainment, Short-form Videos
User Base	Primarily Chinese, Growing International	Global, Younger Demographic
Content	High-quality Images, Videos, Detailed Reviews	Short-form Videos, Trends, Challenges
Monetization	E-commerce Integration, Brand Collaborations	Ads, Creator Fund, Live Streaming Tips
Community	Niche-focused Communities, Deeper Engagement	Larger, More Diverse Community, Trends-driven

How to Use REDnote/Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)

Download the REDnote App from your app store, and follow the step-by-step guide to using REDnote/Xiaohongshu.

Step 1: Sign up. Create an account using your phone number, email, WeChat account, or Apple ID.

Step 2: Choose Interests: You'll be asked to select your areas of interest (e.g., beauty, travel, food, fitness) to personalize your feed.

Step 3: Change the App to English. Click on the Settings button, go to General Settings and you can change the language from there. Now everything will be easier.

Step 4: Edit your profile. You can change your nickname every 7 days, but you can only change your account ID once. Editing your profile builds trust and improves your chances of connecting with the right people.

Step 5: Explore and create content. Your first feed will show posts based on the interests you chose in Step 2. You can click on the search button and type in the content you want to see. Try "TikTok refugee". You can start connecting and engaging with the Xiaohongshu community!

If you want to create content, click on the red add button in the middle at the bottom to choose photos or videos to upload. You can see the editing options below the image.

Feel free to explore that and have fun with the best TikTok alternative.

4 Things to avoid while using Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)

1. Misleading or false information

Xiaohongshu has strict rules against spreading misinformation. Don't exaggerate the benefits of products or services. Sharing false or deceptive information can lead to serious consequences, such as account suspension or even a permanent ban.

2. Overtly commercial content without value

Don't just spam your followers with ads. Xiaohongshu/REDnote is all about real, helpful content from real people. Users appreciate valuable tips, honest reviews, and personal experiences. Focus on telling stories and sharing genuine insights about your product or service in a way that's interesting and engaging.

3. Cultural sensitive content

Be mindful of Chinese culture and avoid posting anything that could be considered offensive or disrespectful. Chinese users are very aware of social norms and traditions. Understand local trends and steer clear of political or sensitive topics that might upset your audience.

4. Too many hashtags

Don't stuff your posts with irrelevant hashtags just to get more views. This can make your content look like spam.

Use relevant hashtags that will help your target audience find your posts.

Conclusion

Xiaohongshu(Little Red Book)/REDnote offers a unique blend of social networking, e-commerce, and community engagement, making it a compelling alternative to TikTok for many. More TikTok refugees are moving to this all-in-one platform for its high-quality content, active community engagement, and convenience.

While the platform may present a steeper learning curve for some due to the language barrier, its potential for organic growth and authentic engagement makes it a valuable platform to explore.