The Chinese social media app saw a surge of traffic on Monday, Jan. 13, six days before TikTok could be banned in the U.S.
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Ahead of a possible TikTok ban, users are flocking to RedNote.
Known in China as Xiaohongshu (Mandarin for “little red book”), RedNote is the most downloaded free app on the Apple App Store on Monday, Jan. 13 — six days before TikTok’s ban in the United States could go into effect.
RedNote features a mix of short-form videos and uses elements similar to Pinterest, offering viewers a mix of video and live-streaming features, Newsweek reported.
The app, founded in 2013, also allows users to share lifestyle content and product reviews, according to the outlet.
Newcomers to RedNote call themselves “TikTok refugees” and also refer to the app as the “Chinese version of Instagram,” according to Wired.
RedNote surged in popularity during the COVID pandemic, especially among women, who make up 79% of its 300 million monthly users, The New York Post reports.
On Friday, Jan. 10, the Supreme Court heard arguments on whether or not to step in and temporarily pause the measure given what TikTok claims is a violation of free speech for its tens of millions of American users.
According to ABC News, CNN and The New York Times, a majority of the justices appeared inclined to rule against TikTok and don’t seem to feel the law creates an unconstitutional block on speech since TikTok can simply be sold by its Chinese owners.
The Times reported that a ruling is expected imminently, given the Sunday, Jan. 19 deadline.
As creators look for other options, at least one TikToker shared in a post that he was ready to embrace a new language.
“Look, I might not have a job in the next week, but we about to learn Mandarin baby!” user allieusyaps said.
