Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter.

It’s hard to believe it’s already 2025 — but here we are, and the digital world has seen some major shakeups in a very short time. Recently, one of the most talked-about events was the “almost” TikTok ban. 

Is RedNote Still Happening?

When the possibility of a national ban on TikTok in the U.S. was first announced, creators, influencers, and users collectively panicked. The idea of suddenly losing access to a platform that had become a central part of their daily lives was enough to make everyone start thinking about backup plans. Among the alternatives, one new app stood out: RedNote.

This new platform quickly emerged as a hopeful replacement, promising a fresh start to those who feared the TikTok ban would become a permanent reality. But now, as January rolls on, the big question remains: is RedNote still a viable alternative, or has TikTok once again solidified its dominance?

The Birth of RedNote: A Response to TikTok’s Troubles

@bbcnews

RedNote, which has about 300 million monthly users, was the most downloaded app on Apple’s US App Store on Monday. #RedNote #Ban #SocialMedia #US #China #Taiwan #Mandarin #Apple #App #TikTokRefugee #BBCNews

♬ original sound – BBC News – BBC News

RedNote was created in 2013, however, it wasn’t embraced outside of China until growing concerns over TikTok’s data privacy issues and political controversy. With the future of TikTok uncertain in the U.S. and other parts of the world, RedNote seemed like a timely solution for users who feared the app would soon be banned. RedNote emerged as a platform that offered something different — a promise of security and an easier, more user-friendly experience.

From the get-go, RedNote was designed to be simple to navigate. Whether it was due to the looming ban or worries about data security, RedNote seemed to offer a fresh, drama-free space for people to post content, interact with fans, and even monetize their influence, similar to the evolution of TikTok.

For a moment, it seemed like RedNote had all the right elements to become the next big thing. The #RedNoteChallenge was all over Twitter and Instagram, with influencers encouraging their followers to join the platform and build a new community. The potential was certainly there, and RedNote’s debut sparked hope among people looking for an alternative for TikTok’s users.

TikTok’s Comeback: Less Than 24 Hours 

@msnbc

TikTok restores service to U.S. users after blocking it the evening before. In a statement, TikTok said its video platform was coming back online after President-elect Donald Trump provided the necessary assurances to the company’s service providers. NBC’s Brian Cheung has the latest. #tiktok #bytedance #donaldtrump #politics #news

♬ original sound – MSNBC

But in a twist that nobody quite expected, TikTok made its triumphant return not even 24 hours after the U.S. ban was briefly enacted. As concerns over the platform’s data privacy issues were addressed, and certain regions lifted their restrictions, TikTok surged back into the spotlight. Creators and users flocked to the platform once again, eager to continue posting their videos and influencing millions of people.

TikTok’s rapid return showed just how resilient it is — a powerhouse with an algorithm that seems impossible to replicate. According to data from Search Logistics, TikTok has been consistently one of the most downloaded apps globally, surpassing over 3 billion downloads as of 2024. 

TikTok’s possibility for small creators to go viral — thanks to its algorithms — makes it nearly impossible for other platforms to replicate. The app’s “For You” page is designed to serve up personalized content that keeps users scrolling, adapting based on various user interactions. In contrast, RedNote’s algorithm struggled to match TikTok’s fast-paced, viral nature, making it harder for content to gain the same level of visibility.

And that’s not all: TikTok continues to innovate with new features that keep users engaged, such as in-app shopping and live streaming options. These additions not only offer new ways for creators to stay relevant with their content, but they also add layers of interactivity that RedNote simply couldn’t match.

The Trouble with RedNote: The Privacy Dilemma

While RedNote made waves for its commitment to user privacy, the focus also ended up being a double-edged sword. Privacy has always been a hot-button issue, especially considering the concerns surrounding TikTok’s data. But RedNote’s privacy-first approach came at a cost, preventing the kind of viral interactions and real-time engagement that TikTok perfected.

Users were drawn to TikTok’s ability to connect with people instantly, to live stream and engage with followers in real time, and to join in on the latest viral trends. In contrast, RedNote’s more laid-back interface didn’t quite capture the same energy. The “doom-scroll” effect, which was the addictive habit of mindlessly scrolling through an endless thread of videos, just didn’t hit the same for a lot of users. As a result, user activity on RedNote began to wane, especially as TikTok returned to its dominant position in the social media landscape.

While RedNote’s efforts were admirable, the truth is that it couldn’t replicate the kind of community engagement that TikTok offered. TikTok’s over 50 million users per day truly speaks to how involved the social media app is in the daily habits of millions.

The Bigger Picture: Diversifying Social Media

So, where does this leave us? As TikTok continues to thrive, RedNote seems to have faded into the background, with its initial promise no longer quite as compelling. But the good news is that this dynamic landscape is far from static. While RedNote may not have succeeded in dethroning TikTok, it did show us that there’s a real desire for platforms that offer different experiences. Whether it’s a focus on privacy, new ways of interacting, or better content discovery, users are open to new options.

And let’s not forget the rise of other social platforms that are getting in on the short-form video game. Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Snapchat Spotlight have all made strides in capturing users’ attention. YouTube Shorts surpassed 1.5B monthly logged-in users in 2024, proving that short-form video content is more than just a TikTok phenomenon.

For now, TikTok is back, and its influence continues to grow. But as we’ve seen, the world of social media is ever-changing, and we may soon find ourselves adjusting to a new platform that offers something completely different. Who knows? In a few months, we could be talking about the rise of a completely new app — or maybe RedNote will have another shot at the spotlight. After all, in this fast-paced digital world, anything can happen.

Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Pinterest!

Sophie Garris is currently a freshman at Florida State University and is on track to be an Elementary Education major! She is very involved with her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, as well as a club called Best Buddies, which focuses on fostering friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). In her free time, Sophie enjoys watching movies, reading books, working out, and surrounding herself with friends and family! As a staff writer, Sophie will be writing about many of these topics, as well as current events going on at Florida State University. She is so excited to be a part of Her Campus at FSU!