Red Note (Xiaohongshu) App Guide for Beginners

2025-01-13

Hi, I am Chinese and I have been using Red Note (Xiaohongshu) for a long time. Maybe you are looking for the guide of Red NOte (Xiaohongshu). I think I can help you.

Xiaohongshu, also known as Little Red Book or "RED Note", is a popular Chinese social media and e-commerce platform, similar to Instagram and Pinterest, with a focus on lifestyle, product reviews, and shopping. If you're new to the app and don't speak Chinese, don't worry! This guide will walk you through all the essential features and how to get started.

1. Download and Install the App

You can download Red Note (Xiaohongshu) from the App Store (for iOS users) or Google Play Store (for Android users). Simply search for "小红书" or "Red Note" and hit install.

• Download via App Store

• Download via Play Store

If you want to use the web version on your computer, you can visit xiaohongshu.com.

2. Set Up Your Account

After opening the app, you'll be prompted to create an account. You can sign up using:

• Phone number (you may need a Chinese phone number for full functionality, but international users can use their own).
• Social media accounts like WeChat, QQ, or Weibo.

Choose the method that works best for you and follow the prompts to complete your registration.

3. Change Language Settings

By default, the app is in Chinese, but here are some tips to navigate the interface even if you don’t speak the language:

• Google Translate App: You can use Google Translate's camera feature to scan and translate text on the screen in real-time. This can help you understand the app’s layout and buttons.
• Install Browser Extension: If you're accessing Red Note (Xiaohongshu) through a web browser, you can use browser extensions (like Google Translate) to translate the entire page.

If you don't know how to switch the language from Chinese to the language you use, follow me: You need to switch in the settings, the path is:

Me -> There's a settings button on the far right in the center of the screen -> General Settings -> Languages.

4. Explore the Home Feed

Once you're logged in, you’ll land on the Home feed, which is similar to Instagram's "Explore" page. Here, you can see a variety of content:

• Posts (called "笔记" or "Notes"): Users share their experiences, product reviews, lifestyle tips, and more.
• Top Posts: Popular posts that have received a lot of likes and comments.

Interaction:

• Like: Tap the heart icon under a post to like it.
• Comment: Tap the speech bubble icon to leave a comment (it’s common to see posts with a lot of engagement).
• Share: Tap the share icon to send posts to friends or save them.

5. Searching for Content

You can search for specific content using the Search Bar (位于屏幕顶部). Here’s how to do it:

1. Tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen to search.
2. You can search by keywords, such as product names, hashtags, or topics (e.g., “beauty,” “travel,” “fitness”).
3. You can also browse specific categories listed in the search tab (for example, beauty, fashion, health, or food).

6. Posting Your Own Content

To post your own notes:

1. Tap the plus sign (usually at the bottom center of the screen).
2. Choose to either upload a photo/video or write a post.
3. Add your content, and if needed, apply filters or editing tools.
4. Write a caption (even if you don’t speak Chinese, use a translation app to add text in English, or keep it simple).
5. You can also tag products or add hashtags to your post (e.g., #fashion, #foodie).

Once you're ready, tap Publish (发布) to share your note with the community!

7. Shopping and Recommendations

Red Note (Xiaohongshu) is also known for its e-commerce features, where users share product recommendations and reviews. To shop:

1. Look for posts that feature product links or recommendations.
2. Tap the product link (usually embedded in posts) to view more details and make a purchase.
3. You can also check the “Shop” tab for more curated items.

Many users write detailed reviews or unboxings of products, which is great for discovering trending items in categories like beauty, skincare, fashion, and tech.

8. Following Users

To keep up with your favorite influencers or users:

1. Tap on their profile picture or username at the top of any post.
2. On their profile, tap Follow (关注) to see their future posts on your home feed.

You can also message them (via the message icon) if you’d like to communicate.

9. Profile Customization

Once you’ve created your account, you can customize your profile:

1. Tap on your profile picture (in the bottom right corner).
2. Here you can edit your username, bio, and profile picture.

Your profile will display all the notes you've posted, your followers, and the posts you've liked.

10. Notifications

To stay updated on new interactions with your posts or followers:

1. Tap on the bell icon at the top right corner to view your notifications.
2. You’ll be notified when someone likes, comments on, or shares your posts.

11. Setting Privacy Preferences

If you want to control who can see your posts or who can message you:

1. Go to Settings by tapping on the profile picture in the bottom right corner.
2. From there, you can change privacy settings like who can comment on your posts or send you messages.

12. Tips for Using Red Note (Xiaohongshu)

• A beautifully made cover: Using a beautiful cover will make it easier for your notes to be recommended. The picture sizes commonly used in Red Note (Xiaohongshu) are 1:1, 3:4 and 4:3, among which the one with the best viewing experience and the easiest algorithm recommendation is 3:4.
• Use hashtags: Hashtags help categorize posts and make them easier to find. It’s a great way to discover content related to your interests.
• Engage with others: Red Note (Xiaohongshu) is a highly interactive platform, and users love to engage with comments and reviews. Like, comment, and share posts to get more involved in the community.
• Stay creative: The platform encourages creativity, so don’t hesitate to post your unique experiences, reviews, or tips.

13. Sensitive Topics to Avoid on the Chinese Internet

On Chinese Internet, Sensitive Topics to Avoid:

• Geopolitical Issue Sovereignty of Taiwan and Hongkong is what I meant here. I'm not here to tell you what to think. But just let you know that not only the government, the some people also in general will be pissed if you claim those places are not part of China.

• Ethnic Issues: Discussions about sensitive topics involving ethnic minorities (e.g., the autonomy policies in Tibet, Xinjiang, or Inner Mongolia) require extra caution.

• National Policies: Comments on domestic policies (e.g., population policies, economic reforms, education systems) or foreign policies can provoke controversy, especially if they carry a negative tone.

• LGBTQ: This is slightly less sensitive. There are people who identify with this or feel sympathy; however, there are also cases of verbal abuse on the Chinese internet toward this group. If you start a conversation about it, it can go either way.

• Political Leaders: Criticisms of current or past leaders, particularly public ridicule or satire, are highly sensitive and may lead to censorship or disputes.

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Red Note (Xiaohongshu) is a very loving platform. People are friendly and welcome to communicate with each other. If you have any questions, you can ask me or follow my RedNote account. I will continue to update more Red Note (Xiaohongshu) Tips.

#杂文