The rapid ascent of 小红书 — Red Note — to the top of American app stores is reshaping the social media landscape, sending ripples through an industry already in flux. While Meta’s stock has tumbled 6% over the past three and a half days, signaling growing uncertainties, Red Note’s surge to the #1 spot reveals a deep hunger for connection that transcends borders and cultures.
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Left shows 小红书 as #1 App, a screenshot from 01–13–2025. Right shows the continued market decline of Meta on 01–14–2025.
Amid the potential TikTok ban, users are preemptively migrating to new platforms, bringing with them their creativity, aspirations, and desire for community. But why would millions flock to a Chinese app at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions? What does this say about trust, culture, and the changing face of digital communities?
To understand this moment of transformation, let’s dive into the stories of four social media users, whose experiences reveal the profound implications of this shift.
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Tiktok User’s quoted below and their posts going viral on Tiktok. 01–14–2025.
Challenging Narratives of Distrust
@sageisgroovy, a Chinese-American TikTok user, reflects on the shift’s deeper emotional impact:
“As a Chinese American, I grew up hearing a lot of very negative things being said about China on a day to day basis, and I’m so used to it at this point. With that being said, it is very jarring seeing overwhelmingly neutral and positive takes on China regarding this whole TikTok ban thing. Like, I’m hearing so many people say, I actually don’t give a **** about what China’s doing, and I’m more worried about the US government than the Chinese government. Oh, yeah. Thank you for this. It’s been very healing.”
This perspective sheds light on how geopolitical tensions shape personal identities. For Sage, the migration offers a sense of healing and acceptance — a rare opportunity to see nuanced views of her heritage. Her words remind us of the humanity at the heart of these political debates, urging us to consider how divisive narratives affect individuals.
Redefining Social Media Spaces
@draftd0dger, a TikTok user, captures the excitement of joining Red Note:
“Just downloaded Red Note, and all I can say is Instagram is gonna go out real sad.Mark Zuckerberg was scared of me giving up my data. [Honestly], I’m about to give that [straight to Xi Jinping in a red envelope]. The best part is I don’t even have to introduce [anyone] to communism.The [app] is literally Instagram, Tumblr, and TikTok all [squeezed] into one. All I’m [gonna] say to y’all, though, is come with some [respect] because I don’t [care] if they’re speaking Mandarin. Mandarin is the most spoken language in the [world].They’re gonna be sick of me. Long live China. Long live Xi Jinping. Big up to Mao Zedong.”
This user’s embrace of the platform highlights its inclusive appeal, blending familiar functionality with global accessibility. The sentiment is clear: respect transcends language, and engaging with the world’s most spoken tongue signals a willingness to connect beyond borders.
Navigating Acceptance and Resistance
Other users frame their decisions as acts of resistance. @valentivideos passionately argues:
“They’re not banning this app because it’s Chinese. They’re banning this app because it’s left-leaning. TikTok is the most left-leaning voices out of any social media platform, especially the ones that are owned by American oligarchs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon [Musk]. The only reason why they’re getting rid of this app is because you keep on seeing videos that are pro-Palestinian, that are anti-American establishment, that are pro-liberation of minorities across the planet. Everything that you see on this app is directly antithetical to hyper-capitalist profit, and these oligarchical pieces of [rulers] at the top, they don’t care about you…“They don’t care about your First Amendment right. The only thing that they want from you is your money and your body. They would like to send your body overseas to go fight in a foreign war for two reasons. 1, it’s useful. 2, if you’re dead, you’re quiet.”
This critique underscores a broader skepticism of power structures. For many, the migration isn’t merely about functionality but a rejection of perceived censorship and control within U.S.-owned platforms.
Respect Across Borders
YouTuber @dj soulchild AC offers practical advice while embracing the opportunity for cross-cultural exchange: