What is RedNote? Chinese app 'TikTok refugees' are flocking to as America ban looms
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With the impending ban on TikTok looming in the US, social media fanatics have been turning to another platform set to rival the huge Chinese giant. RedNote is an alternative to TikTok which also hails from China, and it's said to be a mix of Instagram and TikTok in one. Known locally as 'Xiaohongshu' that translates to "little red book", it's swiftly become the most downloaded free app in the US App Store, and Brits are now following suit.
People already using the app have joked about welcoming 'TikTok refugees'- those who are switching over ahead of the TikTok ban on Sunday. The TikTok ban is set to go ahead if the owners of the app don't sell the the platform to a non-'foreign adversary' - and will become illegal to use in America. This is due to the app facing backlash over 'spying' allegations from the Chinese goverment, and America is planning on banning it if it's not sold.
However RedNote isn't new, it has been around since 2013, first launching in Shanghai. It's believed to incorporate features used on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest - three of the biggest social media platforms - and users can share content, reviews and videos. It also lets users live stream and hosts in-app shopping.
Despite it looking extremely similar to its rival TikTok, it differs slightly, with features such as posting images, reviews and allowing community discussions. The app saw a surge in users during the pandemic, mostly with Chinese users, and now has over 300 million monthly active users according to New York Post.
