Duolingo sees 216% spike in u.s. users learning chinese amid tiktok ban

In an unprecedented shift, U.S. TikTok users are embracing the Chinese social media platform RedNote, spurred by the impending ban on TikTok. With the U.S. law scheduled to prohibit TikTok from app stores and users’ devices as of January 19, many former TikTok enthusiasts are looking for an alternative. Over 700 million TikTok users have migrated to RedNote, also known as Xiaohongshu, not only in search of social media entertainment but also to replicate the unique social networking experience that TikTok offers. This migration signals the ongoing demand for platforms showcasing cultural exchanges, even as U.S. companies attempt to compete in this space.

The transition from TikTok to RedNote reflects more than just a change of social media preference; it raises questions regarding privacy and the apprehensions American users have about their personal data being mishandled. The push towards RedNote indicates that many users are not concerned about the data practices of Chinese companies, an irony given that data privacy was a significant reason for TikTok’s impending ban.

However, as RedNote caters primarily to a Chinese audience, its default language setting is Mandarin Chinese. This language barrier has created a spike in U.S. users turning to Duolingo, the popular language-learning application. Reports from Duolingo indicate a staggering 216% increase in new users learning Mandarin in the U.S. compared to the same period last year, with the most significant surge occurring in mid-January as more users started signing up for RedNote.

The language-learning surge is also reflected in user feedback; Duolingo’s surveys reveal a notable rise in responses where new users attribute their interest to TikTok. To capitalize on this trend, Duolingo has taken to social media to engage with its audience. A recent post on X humorously acknowledged this uptick in interest, while accompanying videos promoting Mandarin courses have attracted significant attention, garnering hundreds of thousands of likes.

App intelligence firm Appfigures reports that this spike in Mandarin learning is generating additional traction for Duolingo’s app, resulting in a 36% increase in U.S. downloads across the Apple App Store and Google Play as of January 3. The data suggests that users may have been experimenting with various Chinese social platforms before diving into RedNote specifically, further amplifying the adoption of language learning applications.

The numbers tell an interesting story—Duolingo has risen through the ranks, now positioned as the 22nd overall app and 20th in the Top Apps category in the U.S. This momentum hints at a broader trend in digital education and cultural exchange amidst changing social media landscapes.

This cultural connection between American users and the Chinese language could lead to significant shifts in societal interactions, as these new learners potentially benefit from improved communication with Chinese peers. These exchanges might even extend into educational contexts, with requests from users for assistance with English homework becoming commonplace. As TikTok refugees navigate their new digital landscape, many are also trading cultural insights, fostering a unique form of linguistic and social fusion.

As the ban on TikTok looms, it’s evident that the U.S. users’ shift to RedNote, while accompanied by challenges and cultural adjustments, has also catalyzed an unexpected renaissance in Chinese language learning in the U.S. The unfolding dynamics between these two different yet interconnected social media environments will continue to evolve as users adapt to their new favorite apps, and could very well mark a step towards deeper international understanding through the learning of languages such as Mandarin. The itch for cultural connection and interaction remains strong, even as the platforms we use to engage with each other change dramatically.