As the TikTok prohibition approaches without much sign of intervention from the Supreme Court, users are urgently searching for a new platform to consume their time. Instead of resorting to YouTube Shorts or Instagram Reels, a significant number of users—driven by a mix of urgency and defiance—are migrating to RedNote (also recognized as Xiaohongshu), a social networking platform operated by the Chinese firm Xingyin Information Technology.

A surge of Americans installing RedNote has lifted it to the summit of the Apple App Store rankings. Current users—mostly residing in China—have warmly welcomed the new users, sharing videos on how to navigate the app using hashtags like #TikTokRefugees, which have spread widely throughout the network. On the other hand, American participants have endeavored to honor their hosts, creating tributes to President Xi. Connections are forming, especially in their shared admiration for the reputed UnitedHealthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione.

the fact people can post pictures with comments on rednote and people are asking for help with their english hw is so funnyyy pic.twitter.com/6IE7FjSjSO

— ophelia 🏁 (@notopheliagrace) January 13, 2025

xiaohongshu at the top of app downloads today, *and* “tiktok refugees” are already finding a home among the chinese luigi mangione stans. they’re joking about sending their data directly to xi jinping in a red envelope. you know the american tech lobby is pissed right now lol pic.twitter.com/eTWMqelcAn

— morgan sung (@morgan_sung) January 13, 2025

RedNote is not an identical TikTok substitute—it caters more to a Pinterest-like layout than the usual endless video feed, often being labeled as China’s Instagram—but it does fulfill a few crucial elements for influencers anxious about losing their audience if the anticipated TikTok restriction takes place on January 19. Initially, it supports vertical video content, aligning closely with TikTok. Additionally, it boasts integrated shopping functionalities akin to TikTok Shop, offering creators a convenient marketplace, a trait dating back to the app’s origins as a fashion-centered social shopping platform.

Another important aspect besides its utility is the message it conveys. Despite TikTok being outlawed by US authorities due to its opaque affiliations with the Chinese regime while being based in Los Angeles, RedNote stands as an openly Chinese-controlled entity. Owned by Xingyin Information Technology, clearly linked to the Chinese administration, Americans are flocking to it, somewhat evidently because of governmental prohibition.

The longevity of the influx of TikTok exiles on RedNote is uncertain. The application was not struggling even before its US user base expanded significantly—it achieved a $17 billion valuation in 2024, concurrent with exceeding $1 billion in yearly revenue. Nevertheless, the influx of new users might encourage the platform to venture into a different market with considerable purchasing power.

American lawmakers might redirect their criticism towards RedNote eventually if its popularity continues to rise. Although it’s improbable that it will truly replace TikTok, it will likely be affected by the same legislation set to ban TikTok within the US, as it targets any corporation based in China. The same scenario applies to other clear TikTok imitations like Lemon8, facing similar prohibitions.

If the US authority genuinely wishes to locate and eliminate these applications, perhaps the more effective method might involve restricting American investment firms from funding them instead of forbidding the citizenry from utilizing them. In large measure, American finances contributed to the vast escalation of both RedNote and TikTok, while investors eagerly capitalize globally, heedless of any reservations related to “national security” or otherwise. Ultimately, money is spent identically irrespective of its origins.