RedNote (Xiaohongshu) has become very popular with people all over the world. Many users say they like it because the content feels more real, the algorithm shows useful posts, and the app feels less noisy than many Western social media platforms. Foreign users and non-Chinese users often use RedNote to watch videos, learn about Chinese culture, find recipes, follow dramas, and discover new ideas.
However, RedNote is not perfect. Like every platform, it has limits and weak points. Some RedNote problems only affect foreign users and non-Chinese users, especially when it comes to language, access, and understanding how the platform really works. In this article, we will clearly explain the most common RedNote problems and show simple solutions, so foreign users can use RedNote in a safer and smarter way.
Problem #1: Language Barrier Hides the Real Platform Experience
Why this happens
Most content on RedNote is written and discussed in Mandarin Chinese. Many foreign users and non-Chinese users do not speak or read Chinese fluently. Because of this, they rely on automatic translation or only understand captions and videos at a surface level. Comments, tone, sarcasm, and cultural meaning are often lost or changed during translation.
As a result, foreign users only see part of what is really happening on the platform.
Read also: What Is RedNote and What Global Companies Should Know About It
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
This language barrier can create confusion and misunderstanding. Some foreign users believe RedNote is always friendly, positive, and less toxic than Western social media. However, users who can read Chinese explain that harsh language, racism, and strong opinions do exist in many comment sections.
Because foreign users cannot read these comments, they may misunderstand the true mood of the platform. This can lead to false trust, wrong cultural assumptions, or confusion when reactions suddenly feel negative or unexpected.
Practical solution
Foreign users should treat RedNote as a learning and observation platform, not a full reflection of Chinese society. When possible, users can:
- Use multiple translation tools to compare meanings
- Follow bilingual creators who explain cultural context
- Read comment summaries shared by Chinese or bilingual users
- Avoid judging content based only on translated captions
By staying cautious and curious, foreign users can enjoy RedNote while avoiding misunderstandings caused by language limits.
Problem #2: Hidden Ads Disguised as Normal Content
Why this happens
On RedNote, many advertisements are not shown as clear ads. Instead, they are mixed inside normal posts. Creators often promote products by showing daily life, routines, or tutorials. They may not clearly say that the post is sponsored or paid.
Because of this style, ads look like honest personal recommendations.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users say RedNote has “very few ads” or “no ads at all.” This is not fully true. Ads are present, but they are harder to recognize, especially for non-Chinese users who do not understand marketing language in Chinese.
This can cause trust problems. Foreign users may buy products or follow advice without knowing it is paid promotion. Over time, this can lead to disappointment, wasted money, or loss of trust in creators.
Practical solution
Foreign users should assume that some lifestyle content may be promotional, even if it looks natural. To reduce risk, users can:
- Be careful with product recommendations that look too perfect
- Check creator profiles for repeated brand mentions
- Look for honest reviews from multiple creators
- Avoid impulse buying based on a single post
By staying aware, foreign users can enjoy content while making safer decisions.
Tip for New Creators:
If you are new to RedNote and want a stronger start, you might consider tools that help increase initial visibility. For example, you can buy RedNote followers from Socioblend which can help your profile look more active and attract real engagement from users who might otherwise skip a small or new account.
Problem #3: ID and Passport Verification Blocks Participation
Why this happens
RedNote is mainly designed for users in China. To prevent spam, fraud, and fake accounts, the platform asks many users to verify their identity. This verification often requires a Chinese ID or a foreign passport.
For many foreign users, this step feels uncomfortable or unsafe.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users do not want to upload their passport or government ID to a social media app. Some users delete the app when they see this request. Others continue using RedNote but cannot comment, post, or fully interact.
This creates a large group of silent users. They watch content every day, but they cannot ask questions, join discussions, or share opinions. This makes the experience feel limited and one-sided.
Practical solution
Foreign users should understand their limits before committing deeply to the platform. A safer approach is to:
- Use RedNote mainly for watching and learning
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal information
- Save useful content outside the app
- Join external communities or forums to discuss RedNote content
This way, foreign users can still benefit from RedNote without taking risks they are not comfortable with.
Problem #4: Foreign Users Cannot Comment or Post Freely
Why this happens
On RedNote, full interaction is often linked to identity verification. If a user does not complete ID or passport verification, the platform may limit actions like commenting, posting, or replying to others.
Many foreign users either cannot verify or choose not to verify.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
When foreign users cannot comment or post, they become invisible. They may have questions, opinions, or useful feedback, but they cannot share it. They can only like or save posts.
This creates frustration. Users feel like outsiders watching a conversation they cannot join. It also means creators do not know that many foreign users exist or care about their content.
Practical solution
Foreign users should plan to participate safely outside the platform. Helpful steps include:
- Saving posts and discussing them in external communities
- Following bilingual creators who explain content clearly
- Using RedNote mainly for discovery, not discussion
- Avoiding emotional dependence on platform interaction
This approach helps users stay engaged without feeling blocked or excluded.
Problem #5: Cultural Context Is Lost in Translation
Why this happens
On RedNote, many posts rely on shared cultural knowledge. This includes jokes, social rules, family values, beauty standards, and behavior that Chinese users already understand. Automatic translation tools only translate words. They do not explain cultural meaning, emotion, or intent.
Because of this, foreign users often read the text but miss the real message.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
When cultural context is missing, foreign users can misunderstand posts or comments. A message that is normal or neutral in Chinese culture may feel rude, cold, or confusing in English. In other cases, a comment may seem positive in translation but actually carries criticism or sarcasm.
This can lead to wrong judgments, cultural offense, or false assumptions about Chinese users and their opinions. Over time, this creates distance instead of understanding.
Practical solution
Foreign users should slow down and avoid quick conclusions. Helpful actions include:
- Following bilingual users who explain meaning and tone
- Reading multiple comments instead of one translated line
- Learning basic cultural norms through observation
- Treating unclear content with curiosity, not judgment
By focusing on learning instead of reacting, foreign users can better understand RedNote content and avoid cultural confusion.
Problem #6: Racism and Harsh Social Norms Are Unevenly Visible
Why this happens
On RedNote, many comments and discussions are written in Mandarin and use local social norms. Some opinions that feel normal to local users may sound very harsh to outsiders. Automatic translation often softens or hides strong language. In many cases, foreign users never see the original comments at all.
Because of this, different users see very different versions of the same platform.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users believe RedNote has less racism or hate compared to Western platforms. This belief is often based on what they can understand, not on the full reality. Users who read Chinese explain that racism, ableism, and strong social judgment do exist in many comment sections.
This gap can cause shock and confusion when foreign users finally understand the real tone. It can also lead to false trust and incorrect ideas about Chinese online culture.
Practical solution
Foreign users should remember that what they see is not the full picture. To protect themselves, they can:
- Avoid deep emotional attachment to comment sections
- Focus on content value, not community approval
- Learn slowly about cultural differences over time
- Step away from content that feels uncomfortable or harmful
By keeping emotional distance and realistic expectations, users can enjoy RedNote without being hurt by unseen hostility.
Problem #7: Cross-Border Shopping Is Complicated and Risky
Why this happens
Many sellers on RedNote focus on customers inside China. Shipping systems, payment methods, and customer support are built for local use. When foreign users try to buy products, they often face problems like unclear prices, long delivery times, customs issues, or no return options.
Most sellers also do not explain international shipping clearly.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Foreign users often discover beautiful crafts, skincare products, clothing, or handmade items and want to buy them. However, the buying process feels confusing and unsafe. Some users worry about scams, damaged products, or losing money with no support.
This stops many users from buying, even when interest is very high.
Practical solution
Foreign users should be careful and slow when buying products. Safer steps include:
- Avoiding direct purchases from unknown sellers
- Looking for products available on global platforms
- Using third-party buying or forwarding services if needed
- Treating RedNote as a discovery tool, not a checkout platform
This reduces risk while still allowing users to explore products and trends safely.
Problem #8: Search and Discovery Is Unfriendly for New Users
Why this happens
RedNote is built mainly for Chinese users who already know what to search for. Most popular keywords, hashtags, and trends are in Mandarin. When foreign users search in English, results depend heavily on luck and the algorithm.
There is very little guidance for beginners.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users do not know what words to type. They want recipes, design ideas, crafts, or cultural content, but they do not know the right Chinese terms. This makes discovery slow and confusing.
Some users only see random content and miss high-quality creators completely. Others give up early because they cannot find what they want.
Practical solution
Foreign users should rely more on exploration than search. Helpful actions include:
- Following accounts suggested by bilingual creators
- Saving posts to train the algorithm
- Exploring hashtags shown inside posts
- Using external guides or lists of useful search terms
With patience and consistent behavior, discovery improves over time.
Problem #9: Algorithm Control Is Unclear for Foreign Users
Why this happens
RedNote uses an algorithm that reacts strongly to user behavior. Likes, saves, watch time, and follows all change what content appears. However, the platform does not clearly explain how this system works, especially for non-Chinese users.
Because of language and design differences, foreign users often do not understand how their actions affect their feed.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users enjoy their feed at first, but later feel confused when content suddenly changes. They may start seeing posts they do not like or understand. Since they do not know how to fix this, they feel frustrated or powerless.
This makes the experience unstable. A good feed can become bad without clear reason.
Practical solution
Foreign users should interact very intentionally. Simple habits help a lot:
- Like and save only content you truly want to see more of
- Avoid watching videos you dislike until the end
- Follow creators carefully and unfollow when needed
- Give the algorithm time to adjust instead of changing behavior daily
By acting with purpose, foreign users can slowly shape a better and more stable feed.
Problem #10: No Clear Onboarding for Non-Chinese Users
Why this happens
RedNote is made mainly for Chinese users. The app assumes users already understand the language, the culture, and how the platform works. There are no clear guides, tutorials, or explanations made specifically for foreign users or non-Chinese users.
Because of this, many users must learn everything by trial and error.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Without clear onboarding, foreign users feel lost at the beginning. They do not know how to search properly, how to follow the right creators, or how to avoid unwanted content. Some users misunderstand features or rules and think they are doing something wrong.
This confusion causes frustration and makes some users stop using the app early.
Practical solution
Foreign users should create their own simple learning path. Helpful steps include:
- Watching how experienced users interact with content
- Following a small number of high-quality creators first
- Learning one feature at a time instead of everything at once
- Using external guides or articles made for beginners
By moving slowly and intentionally, foreign users can understand RedNote without feeling overwhelmed.
Problem #11: Foreign Creators Do Not Know How to Position Themselves
Why this happens
RedNote is built around Chinese language, trends, and social rules. There are no clear guidelines that explain how foreign creators should post, what language to use, or what style works best. Most successful examples are Chinese creators, not foreigners.
Because of this, foreign creators do not know what is acceptable or effective.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Foreign creators may want to share photography, art, education, or services. However, they are unsure how to present themselves. Some post in English and get ignored. Others try Chinese but worry about making mistakes or causing offense.
This uncertainty stops many foreign users from creating content at all. Those who try often feel invisible or discouraged.
Practical solution
Foreign creators should start simple and observe carefully. Helpful steps include:
- Studying popular posts in their topic before posting
- Using simple language and clear visuals
- Following bilingual creators to learn style and tone
- Posting slowly and adjusting based on response
By learning from the platform instead of fighting it, foreign creators can find a place without pressure or confusion.
Problem #12: Trust Issues Around Sellers and Advice
Why this happens
On RedNote, many users share advice about skincare, health, beauty, food, crafts, and daily life. Many sellers also promote products through personal stories. However, there is no clear system to show who is an expert and who is only promoting something for money.
For foreign users, it is hard to tell the difference.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Foreign users may trust advice too quickly because the content looks honest and personal. They may buy products or follow tips without knowing if the source is reliable. This can lead to wasted money, bad results, or unsafe choices, especially with skincare or health-related advice.
Over time, this reduces confidence and makes users unsure about what to believe.
Practical solution
Foreign users should verify before trusting. Simple safety steps include:
- Checking advice from more than one creator
- Avoiding health or medical advice from unknown sources
- Being extra careful with skincare and supplements
- Treating all product advice as opinion, not fact
By staying cautious and double-checking information, users can protect themselves while still learning from the platform.
Problem #13: Good Content Is Hard to Save, Organize, or Reuse
Why this happens
On RedNote, content is designed for fast viewing and scrolling. Many posts are useful, such as recipes, craft steps, tutorials, or life tips. However, the platform does not offer strong tools to organize this content in a clear and structured way.
Saved posts quickly become messy and hard to find again.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Foreign users often use RedNote to learn and collect ideas. When saved content is not organized well, users waste time searching for posts they already liked. Important details get lost, and learning becomes frustrating.
This makes RedNote less useful as a long-term reference tool.
Practical solution
Foreign users should build their own system outside the app. Helpful actions include:
- Taking screenshots of important steps
- Saving links and notes in a separate app or document
- Organizing content by topic manually
- Revisiting and cleaning saved posts regularly
By managing content outside RedNote, users can keep useful information easy to find and reuse.
Problem #14: Western Political Content Is Slowly Creeping In
Why this happens
RedNote is becoming popular with users from many countries. As more foreign users join, they bring their own topics and opinions. This includes Western political discussions, social debates, and culture-war content that already dominates other platforms.
Over time, the algorithm may start showing this content to more people.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Many foreign users come to RedNote to escape political noise from platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or X. When political posts start appearing, the experience feels familiar in a bad way. It reduces the calm and creative feeling that made RedNote attractive in the first place.
This can lead to frustration and fatigue, especially for users who wanted a break from constant political arguments.
Practical solution
Foreign users should protect their feed carefully. Simple steps include:
- Avoid interacting with political posts, even out of curiosity
- Skip videos that focus on arguments or controversy
- Actively follow creators focused on culture, learning, or hobbies
- Regularly refresh and clean their following list
By avoiding engagement with political content, users can keep their RedNote experience focused and peaceful.
Problem #15: High Dependency on a Platform You Do Not Control
Why this happens
Many foreign users spend a lot of time on RedNote because the content feels useful and enjoyable. Over time, users may rely on the platform for learning, inspiration, or daily routines. However, RedNote controls access, features, and rules.
Foreign users have little influence over these decisions.
Why it’s a problem for foreign users
Rules can change suddenly. Features can be limited. Accounts can lose access without clear explanation. Because foreign users often cannot fully verify or appeal decisions, they are more vulnerable to losing access.
This creates risk. If RedNote becomes unavailable or restricted, users may lose saved content, habits, or communities they depended on.
Practical solution
Foreign users should avoid full dependence on one platform. Safer habits include:
- Saving important content outside the app
- Following creators on multiple platforms
- Using RedNote as a supplement, not a replacement
- Keeping learning and communities spread across platforms
By staying flexible and independent, foreign users can enjoy RedNote without risking sudden loss or frustration.
Conclusion: Is RedNote Still Worth Using Despite These Problems?
RedNote offers many things that foreign users and non-Chinese users cannot easily find on other apps. It has useful content, strong discovery, creative ideas, and deep cultural material. This is why many people continue to use it every day.
At the same time, RedNote has clear problems. Language barriers, access limits, hidden ads, cultural confusion, and platform control all affect foreign users more than local users. These problems do not mean RedNote is bad. They mean users need to be careful and realistic.
If you use RedNote as a learning, discovery, and inspiration platform, it can be very valuable. If you depend on it too much, trust it blindly, or expect it to work like Western apps, frustration will grow. The safest approach is to enjoy RedNote for what it is, understand its limits, and keep control in your own hands.
Used wisely, RedNote can be helpful. Used without awareness, it can be confusing.
