13 Jan, 2025

Last updated: May 10, 2026

Hi, I'm Chinese, and I've been using Xiaohongshu for years — long before many English-speaking users started calling it RedNote.

If you recently downloaded RedNote because of TikTok, curiosity, or because everyone online suddenly started talking about it, welcome. The app can feel confusing at first, especially if you don't read Chinese. But once you understand how people actually use it, RedNote becomes much easier to navigate — and honestly, pretty fun.

This beginner guide will walk you through what RedNote is, how to sign up, how to change the language, how to search, how to post, and what American users should know before jumping in.

What Is RedNote / Xiaohongshu?

RedNote is the English nickname for Xiaohongshu — 小红书 in Chinese, which literally means "Little Red Book."

It is one of China's most popular lifestyle social media platforms. The easiest way to describe it is:

• a little bit like Instagram,
• a little bit like Pinterest,
• a little bit like TikTok,
• and a little bit like a search engine for real-life recommendations.

People use Xiaohongshu to share travel tips, outfits, makeup reviews, food spots, study notes, fitness routines, home decor, product reviews, and daily life stories.

In China, many people do not just use Xiaohongshu for entertainment. They also use it to search for advice before buying something, visiting a city, choosing a restaurant, planning a trip, or learning about a trend.

So if TikTok is more about watching what the algorithm gives you, RedNote is often more about searching, saving, and discovering useful posts.

Why Did Americans Start Using RedNote?

RedNote became much more visible to American users during the TikTok ban discussions in 2025. Many users jokingly called themselves "TikTok refugees" and started creating Xiaohongshu accounts.

That sudden wave brought a lot of English-speaking users into a mostly Chinese-language app. For a short time, you could see Chinese and American users greeting each other, comparing cultures, asking questions, and posting memes.

The hype may calm down over time, but RedNote is still worth understanding. It gives you a window into Chinese internet culture, lifestyle trends, beauty, fashion, travel, food, and how young Chinese users share everyday life online.

How to Download RedNote

You can download RedNote / Xiaohongshu from the App Store or Google Play.

• Download via App Store
• Download via Google Play

You can search for:

• RedNote
• Xiaohongshu
• 小红书

If you want to use it on your computer, you can also visit the web version:

https://xiaohongshu.com

The mobile app usually gives you the best experience, especially for posting, commenting, and browsing recommendations.

How to Sign Up for a RedNote Account

After opening the app, you will be asked to create an account or log in.

Common sign-up methods include:

• phone number,
• WeChat,
• QQ,
• Weibo,
• Apple ID,
• or other login options depending on your region and app version.

For most American users, using a phone number or Apple ID is usually the easiest option.

A few things to know:

• International phone numbers may work, but verification codes can sometimes be slow.
• If you do not receive a code, wait a bit before trying again.
• Avoid switching devices, phone numbers, or VPN locations too often when creating a new account.
• Some features may vary depending on your country, app version, or account status.

If something does not work immediately, don't panic. Xiaohongshu's account system was originally designed mainly for Chinese users, so the international experience can sometimes feel a little inconsistent.

How to Change the Language on RedNote

RedNote has been improving for international users, but the app is still mostly built around Chinese content.

To change the app language, try this path:

Me / Profile → Settings → General Settings → Language

Depending on your app version, the labels may look slightly different.

If your app is still in Chinese, here are the Chinese words that may help:

• 我 = Me / Profile
• 设置 = Settings
• 通用设置 = General Settings
• 语言 = Language
• 英文 = English

If you cannot find the language option, update the app first. Some features may only appear in newer versions or in certain regions.

How to Translate Posts and Comments

Even if you switch the app interface to English, many posts will still be written in Chinese.

Here are a few practical ways to translate content:

1. Use built-in translation if available
   Some posts or comments may show a translation option depending on your app version.

2. Use your phone's system translation
   On iPhone, you can often select text or take a screenshot and translate it.

3. Use Google Translate or Apple Translate
   Screenshot translation works well for menus, comments, and captions.

4. Search with simple English keywords first
   RedNote now has more English content than before, especially around topics like TikTok, fashion, makeup, travel, and cultural exchange.

Still, if you want the best results, try learning a few Chinese keywords. Xiaohongshu search works much better with Chinese phrases.

How the Home Feed Works

Once you log in, you will land on the home feed.

The feed usually has different sections, such as:

• recommended posts,
• followed accounts,
• nearby or local content,
• video content,
• shopping-related content.

Posts on Xiaohongshu are called notes — or 笔记 in Chinese.

A note can be:

• photos with text,
• short videos,
• product reviews,
• travel guides,
• food recommendations,
• personal stories,
• tutorials,
• or lifestyle tips.

You can interact with posts by:

• liking,
• commenting,
• saving,
• sharing,
• following the creator.

Saving is especially important on Xiaohongshu. Many users save posts as references for later — for example, travel plans, outfit ideas, restaurants, recipes, or skincare routines.

How to Search on RedNote Like a Local

Search is one of the most important parts of Xiaohongshu.

Many Chinese users treat it almost like a lifestyle search engine. Instead of only scrolling the feed, they search for specific things like:

• best cafes in Shanghai,
• what to buy in Japan,
• beginner makeup products,
• outfit ideas,
• study apps,
• apartment decoration,
• travel routes,
• restaurant reviews.

For American users, here is the trick:

English keywords can work, but Chinese keywords usually work better.

For example:

• New York travel may show some results.
• 纽约旅游 means New York travel in Chinese and may show more local-style posts.
• 洛杉矶餐厅 means Los Angeles restaurants.
• 美国留学 means studying in the US.
• 穿搭 means outfit / styling.
• 护肤 means skincare.
• 美妆 means beauty / makeup.
• 探店 means visiting and reviewing a shop, cafe, or restaurant.

You do not need to speak fluent Chinese. Even copying translated keywords into search can improve your results a lot.

How to Post Your First Note

To post on RedNote:

1. Tap the plus button.
2. Choose photos or videos.
3. Edit your media if needed.
4. Write a caption.
5. Add hashtags or topics.
6. Choose visibility settings.
7. Tap publish.

A few tips:

• Use a clear cover image.
• Keep the first line interesting.
• Add useful context instead of only posting a random photo.
• Use hashtags, but do not spam them.
• If you write in English, that is okay. Many users are curious and may still interact.
• If you want to reach Chinese users, consider adding a short Chinese translation.

For example:

First day trying RedNote as an American user 🇺🇸
第一次用小红书，请多多关照！

That second line means: "First time using Xiaohongshu, please take care of me."

It sounds friendly and natural.

What Makes a Good RedNote Post?

Xiaohongshu users usually like posts that feel useful, honest, or visually clear.

Good posts often include:

• a strong cover image,
• specific tips,
• personal experience,
• comparison photos,
• prices,
• locations,
• pros and cons,
• step-by-step explanations.

For image size, vertical covers usually perform well. Common ratios include:

• 1:1,
• 3:4,
• 4:3.

In my experience, 3:4 often gives a very good viewing experience on the feed.

Avoid making your post look too much like an ad. Xiaohongshu users are very good at sensing fake recommendations.

Xiaohongshu has shopping features, but international users should understand the limitations.

You may see product links, brand stores, live shopping, or posts recommending items. However, many shopping features are designed mainly for users in mainland China.

Before buying anything, check:

• whether the seller ships internationally,
• whether your payment method works,
• whether the product page is official,
• whether returns are possible,
• whether customer support is available in your language.

For American users, I recommend treating RedNote mainly as a discovery and research tool first.

It is great for finding product reviews, trends, and recommendations. But buying directly through the app may not always be convenient if you are outside China.

Following Users and Building Your Feed

If you find someone interesting, tap their profile and follow them.

The more you interact with content, the better your feed becomes. You can shape your recommendations by:

• liking posts you enjoy,
• saving useful notes,
• following creators,
• searching topics you care about,
• skipping content you do not like.

If your feed feels random at first, give it some time. Search for your interests manually and interact with posts you actually like.

Privacy and Safety Settings

Like any social app, you should check your privacy settings.

Go to:

Profile → Settings → Privacy

Useful things to review include:

• who can comment on your posts,
• who can message you,
• whether others can find you through contacts,
• visibility of your liked or saved content,
• blocked accounts,
• notification settings.

If you are new, I recommend keeping your personal information minimal at first. Do not post your phone number, address, school, workplace, passport, or private documents.

Also be careful with strangers asking you to move to another app or send money. Most users are friendly, but basic internet safety still applies.

Cultural Etiquette on RedNote

RedNote can feel very warm and welcoming, especially when users are curious about each other's cultures. But it is still a Chinese social platform, and the cultural context is different from American social media.

A few suggestions:

• Be polite when asking about China or Chinese people.
• Avoid assuming everyone on the app represents the government or official opinions.
• Do not treat Chinese users like search engines or political debate opponents.
• If you discuss sensitive topics, be respectful and careful with wording.
• Avoid aggressive comments about national identity, ethnicity, politics, or tragedies.

This does not mean you cannot have real conversations. It just means tone matters a lot.

If you are friendly, curious, and respectful, people are usually much more willing to talk.

Common Chinese Words on RedNote

Here are some useful words you may see often:

You do not need to memorize everything. But recognizing these words will make the app much less confusing.

Tips for New RedNote Users

Here are my best beginner tips:

• Use RedNote search, not just the home feed.
• Try Chinese keywords for better results.
• Save useful posts instead of relying on likes.
• Do not overuse hashtags.
• Make your cover image clear and attractive.
• Be patient with translation issues.
• Follow real users, not only big influencers.
• Be respectful when joining cultural conversations.
• Treat shopping links carefully if you are outside China.

Is RedNote Worth Using?

Yes — if you are curious.

RedNote is not exactly a TikTok replacement, and it is not just a Chinese Instagram. It has its own culture, rhythm, and style.

For American users, the most interesting part may not be going viral. It may be seeing how people in another part of the world talk about daily life, beauty, food, travel, school, work, relationships, and trends.

If you approach it with curiosity instead of expectations, RedNote can be a surprisingly fun app to explore.

Final Thoughts

Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, can feel confusing when you first open it. The language barrier is real, and some features are still easier for Chinese users than international users.

But once you learn the basics — how to translate, search, post, save, and interact — the app becomes much more approachable.

I'll keep updating this guide as RedNote changes. If you have questions, you can ask me or follow my rednote account.

Welcome to RedNote — or as Chinese users would say:

#杂文