TikTok users’ attempted migration to Chinese app RedNote isn’t going too well

American TikTok users are collectively upping their noses at the US government’s decision on TikTok by Another Chinese social media app is joining RedNote (aka Xiaohongshu), it’s being sent to the top of the US App Store on Monday. Unfortunately, many of those who have already transitioned have faced the issue of having their accounts suspended and banned for various reasons.

Initially, RedNote seemed like a promising alternative to ByteDance’s TikTok in terms of the app’s functionality, focusing on short-form video feeds and content creators. However, the app is not a one-to-one replacement for TikTok, as it is designed to act as a Chinese Yelp or Google alternative that offers local recommendations and nearby connections in addition to video feeds.

Meanwhile, some users who have joined RedNote — including popular TikTokers, entrepreneurs and former Bravo stars Bethenny Frankel — found themselves penalized or kicked out entirely after their initial post on the Chinese app. According to various reports from TikTok users, these bans were due to several reasons.

Some were penalized because their videos featured the TikTok watermark, which may have been a problem with RedNote, they said.

others talked about Or shared screenshots of their account suspension notices, in which they were banned Xiaohongshu is violating the Community Guidelines. Some of these incidents involve verification issues, user reports indicate. When newcomers try to verify their account using their US-based phone number (an option available in the app), They did not accept their code so They tried again Multiple times led to this activity account Suspension Probably on suspicious bot activity.

However, some suspensions have no clear explanation.

For example, a TikTok user claimed Their account has been suspended After their first post, which was a picture of a cinnamon roll. another one joke They must have been forbidden for “loving the snare of much thirst”. While TechCrunch has not independently confirmed or verified the reason behind each reported ban, there are enough complaints from TikTok users that this is a real problem that people are facing.

Part of the problem is that users are joining the app but are unable to read the community guidelines, which are written in Mandarin. (Although RedNote has a way to change the language to English in the app, as an English speaker it’s hard to know how to find that option, as it requires navigating the app’s settings.)

Several TikTok makers have said they are trying Apply for their banBut it is unclear what those efforts will yield

Meanwhile, every other app that competes with TikTok Creating a play for its usersAlthough probably the Creator Meta and will return to apps powered by GoogleGiven the need to monetize their pursuit of scale.