From TikTok to Red Note: Quick First Impressions of Red Note

TikTok is set to begin its descent into darkness this Sunday. Though its actual trajectory remains uncertain, users are proactively downloading their data and moving to other apps. So where is everyone going? A bunch of places. Neptune app, Lemon8, and Xiaohongshu aka The Red Note app aka RedBook aka the actual Chinese owned app. This week Red Note became the #1 app on the US app store; and its users are giving TikTok refugees a warm welcome.  I was finally able to get my code to post onto Red Note and I wanted to give you some insight on what I like about RedNote and what is different about it vs TikTok

1. When you open the app you aren’t immediately assaulted by sound. You can scroll in silence if you want. 

2. The app will automatically update the language to be English (though many aspects of the app remain in Mandarin Chinese)

3. The algorithm is similar to TikTok so you should be able to get familiar suggestions and local content on your ‘Explore’ page

4. There is a ‘Nearby’ tab which allows you to see local content. This is different from TikTok which just used your FYP page to show both local and interest-based content. 

5. Posts are called ‘Notes’ and you can ‘Collect’ them.

6. I’m still trying to figure out how to search for trending sounds as I don't recognize a lot of the artists and that’s not because I’m old. They’re just in a different language. 

7. There is a ‘Trending’ tab which again helps keep your Explore page (which hosts your perfectly tailored interests) separate from trending topics that might not interest you.

8. The comment section is similar to Instagram or FB. You can leave pictures and GIFs in response to someone’s comment. 

9. They do have a ‘Shop’ like TikTok but the currency is in Yen and with multiple shop tabs curated to your interests you can still find all of your favorite finds. The first tab is in English but the rest are in Mandarin. The item names within the shop are also predominately in Mandarin for now.

These are all of my first one-off observations. I’ve only been on the app for 2 days but have already been suggested some of my favorite content creators from TikTok so that’s good news. You can find me and Alex over on Red Note by searching @pugprxncess. What will happen to TikTok after Sunday? Who knows. But for now, I’ll see ya over on Red Note!