US Users Abandon RedNote as Trump Halts TikTok Ban: What It Means for Social Media Trends
In the wake of a potential TikTok ban in the United States, many users turned to the Chinese app RedNote, seeking a similar short-form video experience. Listed under its Chinese name Xiaohongshu in the U.S. App Store, RedNote quickly climbed to become the top free app in the country. However, the surge in usage was short-lived, as a pause on the ban led to a significant decline in active users.
RedNote’s Rise and Fall in the U.S.
According to Similarweb, RedNote experienced a dramatic 54% drop in daily active users in the U.S. after President Trump announced a 75-day extension of the TikTok ban. The app had reached a peak of 32.5 million daily active users on the day the ban was initially set to take effect.
Trends Observed by App Intelligence Providers
App intelligence firm Sensor Tower corroborated these findings, noting a 17% decrease in RedNote’s average daily users from January 20 to 22 compared to the previous week. This trend highlights the rapidly changing landscape of social media usage amid ongoing regulatory concerns.
- 700,000 U.S. users joined RedNote within two days of the ban deadline.
- RedNote’s daily active users reached 3.4 million by Thursday, marking a 133.8% increase week-over-week.
User Perspectives on Data Privacy
The influx of U.S. users into RedNote was driven by various factors. Many users expressed skepticism about the government’s claims regarding national security threats posed by Chinese apps. Users highlighted the perceived hypocrisy of the ban, given that Meta has profited from their data for years.
As one popular TikTok sound humorously pointed out, many users questioned the extent of the threat posed by the Chinese government, illustrating their disinterest in data privacy concerns.
Cultural Exchange on RedNote
During their time on RedNote, users engaged in fascinating cultural exchanges. Topics of discussion included:
- The cost of living in different areas.
- Perceptions of the social credit system in China.
- Economic challenges faced by Americans, such as the need to work multiple jobs.
- Popular culture inquiries about U.S. TV shows like “Friends.”
The Future of RedNote in the U.S. Market
Despite its initial success, RedNote’s position as a leading app in the U.S. may not be sustainable as long as TikTok remains available. The app’s primary focus on the Chinese market, along with its Mandarin localization, may deter long-term engagement. In fact, there was a 216% increase in U.S. users on Duolingo as people attempted to learn Mandarin, but the challenge of mastering a new language may lead to frustration and eventual abandonment.
Moreover, TikTok’s global appeal and its vast user base, which reached a record high of 106.8 million users on the day preceding the ban pause, underscore its dominance in the social media landscape.
For more insights into the latest social media trends, explore our Social Media Trends page.
