A potential nationwide TikTok ban in the U.S. starting January 19 has sparked concern among users and content creators. As ByteDance resists U.S. data privacy demands, influencers and streamers are already suggesting alternatives like RedNote.
A new law is expected to take effect in the U.S. on January 19, potentially banning TikTok.
The Chinese owner, ByteDance, has shown no willingness to divest from TikTok, defying U.S. data privacy requirements.
Popular streamer Pokimane has weighed in on the debate, urging her community to switch to RedNote.
In a post on X, she stated it was high time to make the move and appeared confident about the impending TikTok ban.
But what exactly is RedNote, and who is behind it?
A Better Pinterest?
In her January 14 tweet, Pokimane described RedNote as a superior version of Pinterest and shared her RedNote ID.
While RedNote can be seen as a blend of Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, it differs significantly from TikTok due to its lesser focus on short videos.
it's about time people got on the xiahongshu/red book wave, that app has been a better version of pinterest for years lol
— imane (@imane) January 14, 2025
RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu or Little Red Book, is a Chinese social media and e-commerce platform founded in 2013.
It allows users to share content on lifestyle topics, including short videos, photos, and texts, and features an e-commerce component for buying and selling products.
Mixed Reactions
Despite a recent surge in user numbers, RedNote is subject to strict regulations in China, with heavily moderated content.
Many followers on X remain skeptical about whether RedNote is a viable alternative.
Willingly downloading even more Spyware cuz it's "better pinterest"Yeah we're cooked
— Champ Blampton (@ChampBlampton) January 14, 2025
Concerns particularly focus on data privacy, similar to Pinterest, where content is also tightly regulated.
Some speculate that the extensive promotion of RedNote might be a covert marketing campaign, while others trust Pokimane's advice and have already signed up.
I'm over here thinking influencers are getting paid under the rug to push it. I've seen it on my timeline NON STOP since yesterday. pic.twitter.com/2zujzwJ56N
— Poki (@PokiSage) January 14, 2025
Whether the TikTok ban will actually materialize remains to be seen.
In the meantime, it's understandable that many influencers are exploring alternative platforms to maintain their reach.
Ultimately, it's best to explore the app yourself and decide whether to follow the influencers' recommendations.
Have you tried RedNote? What do you think of it? Let us know!