Americans Flock to Rednote(Xiaohongshu) as TikTok Ban Looms
As the Supreme Court deliberates on a decision that could ban TikTok in the United States, a digital exodus is underway. Thousands of TikTok users, affectionately calling themselves “TikTok refugees,” are fleeing the app and migrating to a Chinese social media platform called Xiaohongshu—literally “little red book” in Mandarin. As of this week, Xiaohongshu has surged to the top of Apple’s US App Store, despite not even having an official English name.
But this isn’t just another app migration. What’s unfolding is a fascinating cultural exchange, a protest against US tech giants, and a glimpse into the future of global social media. Here’s why Xiaohongshu is suddenly the hottest app in America—and what it means for the future of online communities.