Imagine an eight-year-old girl greeting millions of anxious TikTok users fleeing potential bans. That’s exactly what Lucia, a young Xiaohongshu (RedNote) creator, did this week, calling American newcomers \"friends\" instead of \"refugees.\" 🌍✨
As TikTok’s January 19 deadline for a U.S. shutdown looms, 3 million Americans signed up for RedNote in just one day, propelling the Chinese platform to the top of the U.S. Apple Store charts. While RedNote is known in China as a lifestyle hub for niche interests, its new American users are navigating a maze of Mandarin posts and cultural quirks. Enter the \"Little Sweet Potatoes\"—RedNote’s local influencers—who’ve become unexpected guides.
\"Welcome to RedNote! I’m a 72-year-old grandma who loves speaking English,\" says Grandma Yu, a viral creator with 300k followers. Her tutorials on using the app—and her warm vibe—embody the platform’s community-driven spirit. 🧓❤️
American users like blogger \"Tay\" are thrilled: \"Chinese are the kindest.\" But the mood contrasts sharply with TikTok’s uncertain fate. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld a law forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok by Sunday or face a ban, ramping up tensions ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration.
RedNote’s sudden fame highlights a cultural bridge built in real-time. As Lucia says, \"It’s not about refugees—it’s about friends.\" Could this be the start of a global social media crossover? 🤝🔥
