On January 15, the hashtag #tiktokrefugee hit an incredible staggering 3.9 billion views and over 330,000 posts on RedNote. Just three days earlier, U.S.-based TikTok users—calling themselves “TikTok refugees”—began migrating en masse to this predominantly Mandarin-speaking social platform.
Why are TikTok Refugees on the Move?
TikTok’s uncertain future in the U.S. has left creators on edge. As legal battles looming, some fear their primary platform could vanish as early as January 19. For many, TikTok isn’t just an app;it’s a livelihood. They are seeking for plan B and found RedNote.
Will RedNote A New Haven for TikTok Refugees?
RedNote, or Xiâohóngshū (小红书 ) (if you see 🍠 Hóngshû, also is it), is a Chinese social app with over 300 million users, primarily within China.
Known for its short videos, image-text posts, and a community that’s 70% female, RedNote has now become a surprising sanctuary for TikTok refugees. Despite the language barrier, it’s seen as a friendly, niche platform.
Chinese users humorously call these newcomers yángyù (洋芋, “potato”), a playful nod to the app’s nickname 红薯 (hóngshǔ, “sweet potato”). And yes, this digital migration has birthed some creative hashtags like #TikTokRefugees to unite the new crowd.
The influx of TikTok refugees has led Chinese netizens to humorously nickname RedNote as “发抖难财” （means profiting from TikTok’s troubles). They’ve also poked fun at RedNote’s classic slogan, “300 million people’s life experiences, all on RedNote,” suggesting it might now need an update to “7 billion people’s life experiences, all on RedNote.”
Cat Tax – Have You Paid Yours Yet?
“Americans, Show Me Your Cat! “
Yes, you read that correctly.
One quirky trend among TikTok refugees landing on RedNote is paying the 猫税 (māo shuì, “cat tax”). No one knows why and how it starts, but to hello into this new community, many newcomers post cute cat pictures as their symbolic “social tax”. Language barriers aside, nothing bridges cultural divides quite like a fluffy feline.
No cat? No problem! Borrow one from a friend (just kidding… sort of). If cats aren’t an option, photos of dogs, parrots, horses, or even cat memes will do the trick. 🐾
Of course, RedNote isn’t the only refuge for these TikTok creators. Platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Triller, and Clapper are also vying for their attention. But RedNote? That’s where the cool humans—and their cats—seem to be headed.
From Cat Taxes to Real Talk
The migration to RedNote is doing more than just shifting user bases; it’s fostering a unique cultural exchange. The Chinese internet was considered “behind the wall” (翻墙, fanqiang, or “scaling the wall”), where accessing YouTube, X, and Facebook usually required VPNs. Now, the tables have turned—TikTok users are “breaking into the Chinese world” by joining RedNote.
What starts as “cat taxes” quickly evolves into all kinds of interactions, like helping with homework—whether it’s English tests in China or math assignments in the U.S. (though one said that a TikTok refugee helping a Chinese high schooler with a cloze grammar test only got 8 out of 15 answers right… hahaha).
Hashtags have become bridges for people with shared interests. Whether it’s crochet, wildlife, countryside photography, or fishing (yes, even comparing their proud catches), users are showing off their hobbies and talents.
After sharing, the two sides of the globe starts to “对账”, or “对齐颗粒度” (Chinese internet slang for syncing up on ideas or progress), leading to discussions about practical stuff like housing prices, healthcare costs, taxes, and student loans. Instead of viewing each other through media stories, users are getting to know “the real China” and “the real U.S.” through everyday experiences.
What’s Next for TikTok Refugees?
Nobody knows for sure. TikTok’s suspension in the U.S. is still up in the air, and whether RedNote will stick as the new hangout spot or just be a temporary trend remains to be seen.
But honestly, it’s kind of amazing. Who would’ve thought you’d see tons of Chinese and American people in one digital space, chatting about everything from homeworks, rent prices to healthcare costs—not from a political podium, but just as regular people sharing their lives?
This isn’t some grand showdown of superpowers; it’s more like “cat diplomacy” in action. For now, it’s a small reminder of how much we all have in common when we strip away the big-picture stuff and just talk.
How long will it last? Who knows. But for now, it’s nice to imagine a world where everyone’s just hoping for a little more understanding and a lot more peace.