Xiaohongshu vs TikTok: Should You ‘Flee’ to REDnote?

Have you noticed that Xiaohongshu has become increasingly popular among TikTok users? This surge in interest has been partly driven by the fact that TikTok was set to be banned on January 19th, prompting TikTokers to explore other Chinese apps for entertainment. But what exactly is Xiaohongshu, and how does it differ from TikTok? Don’t worry—today, we’ll break down all the key differences between the two viral social platforms.

A Brief Introduction to Xiaohongshu and TikTok

“Xiaohongshu” is the pinyin (romanized pronunciation) of the Chinese name 小红书, which translates to “Little Red Book.” It is also officially known as REDnote which is a popular social platform among young Chinese, especially females.

This platform was initially created to share overseas shopping experiences, particularly with Chinese students studying abroad. Later, as the user base expanded to include domestic users in mainland China, its features became increasingly refined, aiming to boost community engagement.

In China, Xiaohongshu holds a status on par with Douyin (Chinese TikTok), thanks to its high practicality and entertainment value, making it widely beloved. Some even describe it as a blend of Reddit and Instagram.

TikTok, one of the most popular social media platforms in recent years, has been deeply ingrained in people’s daily lives. However, due to certain circumstances, TikTok was facing a ban by the U.S. government, leaving its users feeling “lost.” In contrast, the highly-regarded community app Xiaohongshu stands out for its accessibility—it doesn’t have separate versions like TikTok nor imposes any “barriers,” making it easy for TikTok refugees to flock to Xiaohongshu.

With this perfect combination of timing, opportunity, and accessibility, Xiaohongshu has become a surprising meeting ground for Chinese and American internet users.

Related: Download Xiaohongshu (REDnote) App for Android, iPhone, PC

Xiaohongshu vs TikTok: Similarities

Despite having different user bases and market positions, Xiaohongshu and TikTok, both owned by ByteDance, share many similarities in platform functionality, user experience, and the core philosophy of social media. Both platforms seamlessly integrate e-commerce with entertainment content, offering users a rich experience of social interaction and consumption.

Interaction

On both Xiaohongshu and TikTok, you can bookmark, like, comment, and repost content. Additionally, both platforms encourage high interactivity. If you ask a question or comment on someone’s post, they might respond as long as they see it.

You can also follow creators to receive instant notifications about their updates. When they go live, you can send gifts, likes, and comments to interact with them in real time.

Online Shopping

Shopping is a significant market on REDnote and TikTok. On both platforms, creators can promote sponsored products through videos, images, text, or live broadcasts.

For example, on REDnote, you might be attracted by the video thumbnail and click on it. Then, a purchase link might be shown at the bottom of the video. During live streams, a shopping cart icon typically appears at the bottom. Clicking it shows the products. Both Xiaohongshu and TikTok also have online shopping malls for easier access.

Algorithm

Both Xiaohongshu and TikTok prioritize enhancing user experience by understanding their preferences.

To achieve this, both platforms employ sophisticated algorithms that analyze various factors such as user interactions and retention. For instance, if a user comments on, likes, or bookmarks a post, similar content will be recommended. Additionally, if a user spends more time on a particular post compared to others, the system interprets this as a preference for that type of content.

Purchase history also plays a significant role. Once a user buys a product, the system may continue suggesting similar items to encourage further shopping engagement.

TikTok users who have switched to Xiaohongshu and hope the algorithm will recommend content they enjoy refer to the content selection process as “building brick by brick.”

Xiaohongshu vs TikTok: Key Differences

Despite being designed by the same company, REDnote and TikTok still have some differences in monetization schemes, content types, and other aspects.

Monetisation Schemes

Xiaohongshu’s user base is primarily made up of young women, while TikTok attracts a more diverse audience. As a result, the consumption power and goals of users on both platforms differ.

On REDnote, most creators generate income through product marketing. In contrast, TikTok provides an additional, easier revenue stream—live stream gifts. Many creators on TikTok earn money by receiving virtual gifts from viewers during live streams.

Content and Culture Differences

On REDnote, there are a lot of content types including various tutorials, tips and experiences, hobby exchanges, Q&A, the latest updates in various fields, and more. It’s like an entertainment-driven version of Google, where you can search for a wealth of useful, updated, and real information.

On REDnote, many content is about the Chinese culture while memes are also very different. Once you download Xiaohongshu and open it, content like Hanfu (Chinese traditional dress) and Panda might flush onto your page.

On TikTok, the content primarily focuses on entertainment and news. While there are similar content types on it, they are less prevalent compared to those on REDnote. All this content is related to your daily life, culture, and country.

Page Layout and Typography

TikTok’s page is primarily focused on videos, including the “For You” and “Following” feeds. Other features include an online shopping store, messages, and the personal homepage. In contrast, Xiaohongshu’s layout is similar to Pinterest or Instagram, featuring image-text content with captions. Its homepage displays posts on the left, while hot videos, messages, and the personal homepage are located on the right, creating a clean and organized layout.

If you’re a TikTok user transitioning to Xiaohongshu, there’s no need to worry about unfamiliarity, as the features are intuitive and easy to navigate.

Comment

The comment sections of Xiaohongshu and TikTok are also different. On REDnote, you can send pictures and meme images while TikTok in America doesn’t support this.

In the comment section of Xiaohongshu, you can collect others’ meme images and send them out in an appropriate situation to make the interactivity more humorous.

Xiaohongshu vs Douyin vs TikTok

Douyin and TikTok are like two siblings; they look very similar, except one speaks English and the other speaks Chinese. However, these two apps exist independently and target different user groups and markets.

Both Douyin and Xiaohongshu are aimed at Chinese users and offer more comprehensive features and stricter content regulations compared to TikTok. Douyin and Xiaohongshu are also very safe, with user data being highly protected.

Tips for Switching to Xiaohongshu/REDnote

Turning to Xiaohongshu might seem a little bit hard. However, once you figure out how it works, you will see the charm of this excellent app. To smoothly switch to Xiaohongshu you can check these tips:

Always be peaceful: REDnote is a highly interactive community, where your comments can lead to different outcomes. Staying calm and respectful is the best way to fit in.

Check out the use guide: After downloading Xiaohongshu, you can search for the guide on how to use it to avoid embarrassing situations.

Build brick by brick: When you continuously watch or like your favorite content, Xiaohongshu will recommend more of that type of content to you.

Related: Xiaohongshu (REDnote) Sign up/Login Guide: Step-by-Step

Final Verdict

Both Xiaohongshu and TikTok are highly interactive and entertaining platforms. However, Xiaohongshu offers more comprehensive features, blending authenticity, practicality, and entertainment. Switching from TikTok to Xiaohongshu may feel like a cultural shock, but it’s a positive one.