TikTok’s impact on digital content creation is undisputed. But the platform is on shaky ground in the US.
On Saturday 18th January 2025, TikTok went down in a preemptive response to the ban from the Biden administration.
Although President Trump has reinstated TikTok, its future is still unclear.
After extensions of the ban, the next important date is June 19th. However, Trump has said that if there is not a solution by that date he will once again extend the ban.
American TikTok users join RedNote
During the first TikTok ban, Americans flocked to another social app — RedNote.
Known in its native China as “Xiaohongshu”, RedNote seems to fill the void TikTok left behind.
But what is RedNote? Is it a one-hit-wonder or an all-star social platform? And how does it hold up for online creators?
If you’re worried about the future of TikTok and are looking for a new home, then we have you covered.
Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about RedNote - from its origins to monetization features.
What is RedNote?
RedNote is a Chinese social media app. Founded in 2013 by Xingyin Information Technology, the platform is very popular in its native China. However, it’s never reached the same levels in the U.S. That is, until now.
According to Reuters, as the TikTok ban loomed, a whopping 700,000 people joined the app in a two-day period.
Currently, the platform sits at 10+ million downloads on Google Play, and has a 4.3 star rating (out of 5 stars) from 124,000 reviews. On the Apple Store, it’s rated 4.9 stars (out of 5 stars) from 182,900 reviews.
In China, the platform is known as Xiaohongshu, or “Little Red Book”. But in the US, it’s become commonly known as “RedNote”.
So, what’s the platform like?
Well, it’s frequently described as an alternative to Instagram and TikTok. Users post their day-to-day activities, including videos, photos, text. According to the platform, authenticity is everything on RedNote.
On their Google Play page, they describe it as a space to “share your distinctive experiences”, along with providing helpful tips and connecting with different people around the world.
Respect and kindness are also valued on RedNote, which is nice to see from a social media platform.
Learn tips to market yourself and boost your brand on social media.
Is RedNote free?
RedNote is completely free to download.
According to the Apple store page, the platform does have some in-app purchases. However, based on our experience, these won’t impact on your general usage of the app.
Why are creators flocking to RednNote?
Alternative to TikTok
In response to TikTok’s U.S. ban, many American users have been flocking to RedNote. That’s also been true for online creators.
It’s no secret that TikTok has become an essential tool for digital creators, businesses, and influencers — and for many, a major source of income.
From affiliate schemes to TikTok shop, the platform has provided unique opportunities for side hustles and creative expression.
Naturally, the loss of TikTok (albeit short-lived) created a void for many U.S. content creators. Some flocked to RedNote in the hope that it would fill the TikTok-shaped hole.
Even though TikTok is live in the U.S. again, its future is still uncertain. Trump has suggested that the U.S. may seek part-ownership of the platform. And if that does happen, its potential impact is unclear.
So, RedNote could be a permanent home for some TikTok creators.
Worried about TikTok? Read our guide to the future of TikTok, tailored to online creators.
Alternative to Meta (Instagram and Facebook)
Aside from the ban, users worldwide have also joined RedNote as an alternative to Meta platforms. That’s in response to Meta rolling back hate speech policies on their platforms.
Previously, insults about mental illness or abnormality aimed towards people of a certain gender or sexuality would be considered hate speech by Meta. Now, users are allowed to post this kind of content on the platform.
As a result, creators have switched to other platforms, like RedNote.
Could RedNote be banned?
The concern that RedNote might also be banned in the U.S isn’t exactly unwarranted.
Essentially, the law against TikTok also bans any apps produced by foreign adversaries of the U.S. from being hosted in U.S. app stores or online hosting services.
China is considered a U.S. adversary, and RedNote is based in Shanghai. So, the platform is certainly at risk of being banned.
Beyond this, news outlets CBS News and NOTUS, have reported on discussions with U.S. officials and representatives on this topic. In all cases, intentions to ban RedNote and similar alternatives were confirmed.
So, whilst RedNote does provide a “refuge” for TikTokers, this may only be temporary.
Is RedNote a safe app for online creators?
Like TikTok, RedNote does collect your data. That includes personal info like what you browse for, and your location.
In the U.S., user data is shielded by further privacy protections. But as RedNote is a Chinese app, it’s governed by the country’s own data privacy laws, which potentially give the government more access to user data.
On top of this, there are also concerns about censorship on the platform, which could reflect the policies of the Chinese government.
However, critics note issues with data privacy on Meta and other U.S.-based social platforms. They also argue that TikTok is an essential tool for many smaller brands — as well as a lifeline for marginalized groups.
How to get started on RedNote
Once you’ve downloaded and opened RedNote, you’ll be greeted with some information about the app.
If you’re concerned about privacy, you can read the User Privacy Policy here, as it’s available in English. The User Agreement isn’t though, so you might need a translation tool. (Or give Duolingo a try!)
When you’re happy to go ahead, click “Agree”. Next, you’ll be prompted to select your date of birth and create an account.
You’ll need to add your phone number, including the right country code. This can be a bit challenging, as all the country names are in Chinese. So, make sure you look up the code first.
Next, a verification code will be sent to your phone.
Once you’ve verified your account, you can specify your interests. This will tailor your feed on the platform. For example, you can choose things like “Travel”, “Fashion” and “Mobile Photography”.
After this, you can get stuck in! It’s super easy to set up and you can start in a matter of minutes.
Keep in mind that the app might ask permission to access your contacts or manage phone calls, but you can deny these, if you want.
RedNote core features: how does the platform work?
So, now what?
There are five main tabs on RedNote, and these split down into further sections. Let’s take a look at what they do.
Home
The home tab is your feed. You’ll scroll down to see relevant posts, including videos, images, and text posts.
So, in this sense, it’s similar to platforms like Facebook, which show all kinds of content. But the focus is on image thumbnails, which is more like Instagram’s Explore tab or Pinterest.
This splits down into three main sections:
Explore
Again, this works similarly to the Instagram Explore page. You’ll get recommended content based on your interests.
You can also choose to check out content just from a specific interest, like “Fashion” or “Painting” from a menu at the top.
Scrolling through the feed, it’s easy to find all kinds of cool content. For example, one user translated the platform’s rules into English to help newcomers.
Follow
As it sounds, this tab just shows you content from the accounts that you’re following.
Nearby
If you’re interested in more local content, you can use this to view posts from users who are near to your location.
Video
The video tab works similarly to TikTok or YouTube Shorts. You’ll be able to see and scroll through video content.
+ (Create a post)
To create your own post, tap the red “+” button. You can upload photos or videos, or add a text note.
With text notes, you can create an image from your text. There are three formats for these. You can:
Write out your thoughts with text and emojis. This will then generate an image from your text, including some bilingual options.
Ask a question, which again generates an image with your text. Although, obviously, this time it’s in a question format.
Draw a doodle with fun brushes and colours. This option is super fun, and allows you to showcase your creativity.
There are also some set designs to doodle and colour in.
Messages
Here you can view any communications you’ve received on RedNote. That includes :
Likes & Collect: This shows any likes or collects you’ve had on your posts. “Collects” works like the “Save” function on Meta apps.
New Followers: View accounts that have just started following you.
Comments & @: Check out comments on your posts or posts you’ve been tagged in.
There’s also a neat section for “Groups” in the upper right corner. Tap on this and you can either start a new group or find one in the “Group Square”.
Me
This page is your profile on the app. You can customize it in a number of ways, including:
- Add a profile photo
- Change your username
- Add a bio and other details
You can also access the Shop page from here, and browse the products on offer.
How to make money as a content creator on RedNote
You can make money with content on RedNote in several ways. There are no in-feed ads, like on TikTok or Facebook. However, otherwise, the platforms are relatively similar.
Brand partnerships: These work like partnerships on other platforms. You’ll create and share branded content.
Depending on the type of partnership (and the size of your following), you’ll either receive the product you advertise, or receive an additional flat fee. Brands usually contact you through DMs or email.
Affiliate marketing: RedNote also has opportunities to take part in affiliate marketing schemes. As with other platforms, the brand will send you their product for free, and you’ll post a review.
If a customer buys a product through the affiliate link, you’ll earn a commission. In some cases, brands offer an additional flat fee for your review - but this will depend on the business.
Creator subscription tiers: If you have a strong following, RedNote also provides a membership system. You can also set up paid subscription tiers to your content.
Set up a shop: You can also set up your own brand and start a shop on RedNote. As with other social media platforms, you can then tag your products in your posts to promote them to your followers.
Livestreams: You can also earn money from livestreams on RedNote. This includes live-streamed shopping events, which again allow you to earn a commission on any sales.
What’s the Dandelion Platform on RedNote?
Dandelion Platform is another important part of RedNote for creators to become familiar with. This platform is the official base for brands to link up with creators for professional collabs.
It offers some useful resources to help creators monetize their content. For example, these include collab case studies and guidance on payment rates. Keep in mind that much of this content isn’t translated into English, though.
Pros and Cons of RedNote for content creators
So, is RedNote just a passing phase - or does it have lasting value for digital creators?
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons now.
RedNote Pros
Positive atmosphere 🌞
Many “TikTok refugees” have spoken about the positive reception they’ve received from long-term RedNote users. The community has a supportive, laidback vibe, and some have commented on the lack of toxicity compared to other platforms.
For example, there are lots of posts welcoming and offering guidance to new, English-speaking users.
Cool features 🧊
From doodles to notes, there are some unique ways to connect and communicate on RedNote. So, it’s not just a retread of the same content you’ve seen elsewhere. You can also join online groups, though you won’t be able to monetize them like you can on Whop or Discord.
Engagement options 📣
Again, there are many ways to engage with your audience and build a following. These include video and image content, live streaming, text posts, comments and tagging, and more.
Communities are essential to follower engagement. Here’s how creators can engage their online communities.
RedNote Cons
Language barrier 🌍
For casual use, you might not find RedNote’s language barrier to be an issue. Many creators are developing content in English, and the app features automatic translation tools, as well.
Still, the platform is geared towards Chinese-language users. So, you may find it difficult to read documentation relating to the platform, like the User Agreement. It also makes the platform a bit difficult to navigate.
Limited monetization 🚫
Although there are a few ways to monetize the platform, these currently don’t seem to be available to English speakers. Many also seem to be invite-only.
RedNote can be useful for promoting a brand, in a similar way to TikTok. But in terms of monetizing your own content on the platform, you could find this limited. You also can’t post links or QR codes leading out of the app, nor any external contact details.
Still, whether you’re on RedNote, TikTok, Instagram, or another platform, you could monetize your content with Whop.
Content restrictions and censorship 🔒
Some types of content that might be allowed on TikTok are prohibited on RedNote. Again, the language barrier can make it challenging to find out what’s acceptable and what isn’t.
But users seem to find RedNote’s “report” system to be much more robust compared to other social media platforms.
According to this post, things like overly exaggerated beauty filters, sexuality and nudity, and pseudoscience are not allowed. As mentioned, rules on sponsored content are also strict.
For many, this could be a welcome escape from beauty filters etc., but some creators might find this restrictive. (This comes from a user translation, so its accuracy is also unclear.)
Besides these restrictions, RedNote is also centered around everyday lifestyle and creative content. So, it might not be the best choice if your content is more tech or crypto-focused, for example.
Creating content for RedNote
If you’re set on developing content for RedNote, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips for content creators:
Offer value to your audience
Creativity and insight is essential on RedNote. As with any social platform, don’t just share advertisements for your products. You should also keep in mind that Rednote doesn’t allow promotional content to be posted without an actual business account.
So, your content should always provide real value to your audience. That could be through sharing tips and advice, showcasing your latest project, or giving a behind-the-scenes look into your work.
Lots of users are passionate about learning languages, including Chinese, English, and Japanese. So, RedNote could be a great platform for teachers and coaches to shine.
For example, Chinese teacher Sandra is helping newcomers learn some useful Chinese phrases they can put to use on the platform.
Show respect to the community
Most newcomers to RedNote understand the importance of kindness and respect. Sadly, that’s not always the case.
Some RedNote creators have already experienced racism and abuse from “TikTok refugees”. It’s fun to explore a new platform, but mutual support and respect is key.
Support Chinese creators
There’s definitely scope for creators worldwide to have success on RedNote. Still, the platform was initially set up for Chinese audiences, and it’s important to stay respectful of that.
Native creators who’ve been making content on RedNote for years have reported a drop in their engagement recently. Along with making your own content, ensure you’re engaging with the wider community.
As with other platforms, comment on established and fledgling creators. You can show support in English, or translate your comments into Simplified Chinese through an online translation tool.
Verdict: is RedNote the new TikTok?
Not exactly.
RedNote has similarities with TikTok, including its video feed and online shop. However, it seems unlikely that it will replace TikTok in the long run.
For one thing, it faces the same risk of being banned. In contrast to platforms like TikTok and Whop, it’s also not currently geared up for English-speaking users to monetize.
It’s also not clear what TikTok’s future will be yet. If TikTok does remain accessible to U.S. audiences, it’s likely that many creators will stay put. However, this is a fluid situation that will continue to change.
Whop: The ultimate monetization platform for creators
RedNote offers a unique platform to connect with people around the world. But it’s not geared up for English speakers to monetize. Still, you could find success sharing content to new audiences on Rednote.
Wherever you share content, selling on Whop can turn your online presence into a hustle. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Set up a free Whop account
Step 2: Start selling by creating a free “whop” (aka your online hub)
Step 3: Add native apps to your whop, which add features like live chat, a forum, courses, etc.
Step 4: Create products to sell on your whop (which include features from the apps you’ve added)
Step 5: Add your payment details
Step 6: Start earning money!
If you're a content creator, Whop gives you everything you need to start making money from your audience. Launch and sell courses, build a paid community, or offer digital products like eBooks, templates, and guides.
Whatever your niche, Whop turns your social platform into a powerful income stream.
