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RedNote Statistics and More: Everything You Need to Know

It’s the talk of the town. 

(Or more like the world.) 

America banned TikTok. 

Various experts discussed this course of action, millions of users of the platform protested it, and the owner company ByteDance argued relentlessly with the US government. 

The ban still went into effect. 

For just a few hours, but still. Things will probably never be the same for the app. Facebook ads are already showing up, along with a lot of Trump content. 

As a result, many people have decided to seek alternatives. One in particular seems to stand out among the rest. We’re talking about RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu. It has seen a surge in downloads recently and is gaining more users, known as “TikTok refugees”. 

But what is RedNote exactly? Is it really going to fill the gap that TikTok is potentially going to leave? Is it better or worse? 

Let’s see: 

What Is RedNote and Why Is It Popular? 

RedNote is a blend between a social media platform and ecommerce marketplace. Users often compare it to Pinterest, Instagram, and yes, TikTok. Some even use it as a guide to find new places to visit, such as restaurants and bars. 

Put simply, RedNote is the place to go if you need information, inspiration, and products. 

The original name of the app –  Xiaohongshu – means “little red book” in English. You’ll see a lot of articles claiming that this is a reference to the propaganda booklets filled with quotes by Mao Zedong, Communist China’s founder. This is partially true. However, one of the founders, Mao Wenchao used to work at Bain & Company and study at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Both of those institutions feature red as their main color, which also served as an inspiration. 

The app was created back in 2013 and was initially called Hong Kong Shopping Guide. The main target were Chinese tourists and the content featured products and places recommendations and reviews. Naturally, this allowed for an ecommerce aspect to be added. As most of the users were female and there was a surge of new Gen Z content creators, the app evolved to be an alternative to Instagram, which is banned in China.  

So. 

How does RedNote hold against its competitors? 

That’s currently a bit hard to say. After all, it’s just gained attention from the global userbase. However, things are currently in its favor.  

RedNote USA RedNote US Market Rise of RedNote RedNote vs TikTok RedNote vs Instagram RedNote Competitors RedNote Future RedNote Marketing RedNote Trends Xiaohongshu Global

Let’s look at the leading RedNote statistics: 

  • The app had 300 million monthly active users, mostly located in China last year.  
  • 79% of RedNote’s user base consists of women.  
  • At the time of writing, it ranks under number four in the Apple store and number 14 in Google’s.  
  • 59% of the brands in China choose the platform for brand building and influencer-driven campaigns.  
  • Currently, there are 140,000 brands on RedNote 
  • US downloads of the app went up with more than 200% year-over-year right before the 19th of January, when the TikTok ban went into effect.  
  • The most recent valuation of RedNote puts it at $17 billion.  

As you can see, the numbers are going up constantly.  

The rise of RedNote can also be explained by its authenticity. While the likes of Instagram and Pinterest have become increasingly ad-driven, this platform prioritizes organic, user-generated content. Everyday people, rather than just influencers, play a significant role in shaping trends, offering genuine recommendations, and engaging in conversations. So, anyone looking to use RedNote for marketing purposes should focus on involving the community and sharing organic content rather than rely on aggressive advertising. 

Overall, it sounds too good to be true, right? 

Well… there are some issues we need to discuss. 

Security Concerns and Censorship Practices on RedNote 

As RedNote takes over the US market, concerns surrounding its data security practices and content moderation policies have taken center stage. 

Of course, its ties to China raise important questions about user privacy, censorship, and potential government oversight.  

Sounds familiar? 

Those are the same arguments used by the US government when they announced the TikTok ban. 

Cybersecurity experts warn that RedNote could be required to share sensitive user information with Chinese authorities under the country’s cybersecurity laws. This is a huge risk for users’ personal data, including location information, browsing habits, and purchase histories.  

So, for Americans, the RedNote vs TikTok debate might be a short-lived one. 

RedNote has attempted to address these issues by emphasizing its commitment to data protection. The platform claims that its data for international users is stored outside of China and that it complies with international privacy regulations such as GDPR. Whether that’s true or not, remains to be seen. 

Of course, some of those issues might be avoided via VPNs or dedicated security tools. 

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Another major challenge for RedNote:

Censorship. 

Users from various communities, particularly LGBTQ+ creators and activists, have reported instances of their content being flagged or removed. Topics deemed “sensitive” or controversial, even if they comply with local laws and cultural norms, sometimes appear to be suppressed.  

Is this practice sustainable once RedNote gets more USA creators? 

Hardly. So, either the platform’s practices have to change or its users are going to find the next best thing.  

In China, RedNote has also faced criticism for restricting content that goes against government-approved narratives. For example, posts related to political dissent, human rights, and even certain social movements is often removed or heavily moderated on the Chinese version of the app. Such practices are going to clash heavily with American users, that rely on similar platforms to discuss such topics. 

However, if RedNote manages to navigate those challenges successfully, it might just manage to become the next big social media app. 

Wrap Up 

There’s no denying it: 

RedNote is on the rise. 

More and more TikTok refugees are flooding the app, seemingly driven by the authentic content, community-driven trends, and seamless shopping experiences. The RedNote stats are clearly showing a staggering growth in numbers, which doesn’t seem to slow down.  

Quite the opposite, actually. 

However, the future of the platform depends entirely on its ability to address security concerns, maintain transparency, and adapt its content moderation practices to suit diverse audiences. 

Will it succeed? 

Time will tell. But we’ll be keeping a close eye on it.  

FAQ 

Is Xiaohongshu RedNote? 

Yes, Xiaohongshu is RedNote. The former is the name under which it operates in China, while the latter is its global brand, particularly used in markets like the US. Both names represent the same platform. 

Is Red Note a safe app? 

RedNote is generally considered safe for everyday use. However, it is owned by a Chinese company, which raises concerns about data privacy and potential government access to user information. The platform claims to comply with international privacy standards like GDPR, but cybersecurity experts remain sceptical.  

Is RedNote like TikTok? 

RedNote is not exactly like TikTok, but they do share similarities, such as short-form videos and community-driven content. However, RedNote is more multifaced. It doesn’t only focus on lifestyle, trends, and product recommendations, but also features an integrated ecommerce marketplace and serves as a guide for restaurants and bars.  

Statistic Sources: 

 

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