The upcoming US ban against ByteDance's TikTok has the app falling from its popularity among global users, and not only in America, as more people flock to RedNote, but Duolingo is also enjoying a massive surge now. Many users in the United States are now trying to learn the Chinese language of Mandarin via Duolingo, and it is associated with the rise of RedNote's fame in the country.
Despite the massive popularity of RedNote in the United States and the different corners of the globe, a majority of its users are still mainly speaking Chinese, and this language barrier has Duolingo racking up its numbers.
Duolingo Surges Amidst Upcoming TikTok Ban Thanks to RedNote
According to the latest post by Duolingo on X, the company has seen a massive surge of around 216 percent this 2025 compared to its numbers in the same time last year, and this is directly attributed to the looming US ban against TikTok. This was fueled by the massive exodus from TikTok to RedNote, another Chinese social media that gained stellar fame as an alternative platform for entertainment.
The so-called "TikTok refugees" have flocked to RedNote to get the same experience they once enjoyed on ByteDance's app which was once the global craze, but is now seeing many leaving the platform in the country.
Previously, Duolingo has poked fun at many users after noticing that a lot of people are actively learning Mandarin using their language learning platform, happening amidst the tightening grip of the US against Chinese companies like TikTok.
Read Also: Lawmakers Who Supported TikTok Ban Flooded with Angry Comments from Fed-Up Users: 'You're Fired'
Learn Mandarin and Follow The Trends of RedNote via Duolingo
Duolingo's social media presence is known for its quirky and creative engagements with the public, and they recently capitalized on TikTok's demise by creating a new TikTok video which puts Duolingo side-by-side with RedNote as the "new fav app" of many users. Now, users who are trying to catch up on the many happenings on RedNote are trying to learn Mandarin first on Duolingo, while also using translation apps to help them with their browsing.
The TikTok US Ban Is Only Days Away From Taking Effect
The hard pill to swallow is slowly coming down on ByteDance and TikTok's throat as the impending ban in the United States will take effect this Sunday, January 19, with their clock running out to prevent this. That being said, TikTok reportedly accepted its fate last week, and representatives claimed that the platform is shutting down its operations in the US come the 19th and adhere to the ban.
While it may seem like it is too late, there is still a last resort option for ByteDance and TikTok that is under consideration should they be backed into the corner and left with no other choice but to save face. It was revealed that ByteDance officials have considered selling TikTok's US operations to Elon Musk which would then be managed under the social media platform he owns, X.
The law has given ByteDance and TikTok a chance to save their platform and continue their US operations by divesting within six months as part of the Foreign Adversary Act's provisions. However, the company fought against it and failed miserably, with their ban contributing to the rise of a rival alternative platform known as Xiaohongshu, with Duolingo also benefitting from it.
