Duolingo Experiences 216% Surge in US Chinese Learners Amid TikTok Ban and RedNote Shift

Duolingo Experiences 216% Surge in US Chinese Learners Amid TikTok Ban and RedNote Shift

TikTok users in the U.S. are increasingly turning to Duolingo to learn Chinese, particularly Mandarin, as they migrate to a new social media platform called RedNote. This shift comes in the wake of a proposed TikTok ban set to take effect on January 19, which would remove the app from U.S. app stores and restrict its functionality unless users install a VPN. The growing interest in learning Chinese highlights a significant cultural exchange between American and Chinese users.

Shift from TikTok to RedNote

Amid ongoing discussions about data privacy and national security, over 700 million TikTok users are exploring RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu). This transition is not merely a workaround for the anticipated ban; it signals a demand for unique social networking experiences that U.S. companies have struggled to replicate.

Reasons Behind the Migration

  • Cultural Exchange: The move fosters interaction between American and Chinese users, with many requests from Chinese users for help with their English homework.
  • Technical Challenges: Some users are encountering difficulties when trying to sign up for RedNote, including issues with community standards.
  • Data Privacy Concerns: The migration raises questions about American users’ concerns regarding personal data collection by Chinese companies.

Surge in Duolingo Users Learning Mandarin

As RedNote’s popularity rises, so does the number of U.S. users eager to learn Mandarin. According to Duolingo, there has been a remarkable 216% increase in new users learning Mandarin compared to the previous year, particularly noticeable in mid-January.

Duolingo’s Response

Duolingo has embraced this trend, humorously acknowledging the influx of new learners on social media. Their recent posts on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, featuring their mascot, have garnered significant attention:

  • A video showing the mascot traveling to China has received over 500,000 likes.
  • A tutorial for “TikTok refugees” on essential Mandarin phrases has attracted over 620,000 likes.
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Impact on Duolingo’s Popularity

Data from app intelligence provider Appfigures indicates a significant impact on Duolingo’s install base:

  • Duolingo experienced a 36% increase in downloads across the App Store and Google Play as of January 3.
  • The app has climbed to No. 22 in Top Overall Apps and No. 20 in Top Apps, marking a substantial rise in visibility.

This migration from TikTok to RedNote illustrates the evolving landscape of social media and language acquisition in the U.S., as users adapt to new platforms and embrace opportunities for cross-cultural communication. For more insights, check out [Duolingo’s official site](https://www.duolingo.com) or read about the future of social media and data privacy.

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