Duolingo sees 216% surge in U.S. users learning Chinese as TikTok refugees adopt RedNote

Duolingo reports a 216% spike in U.S. users learning Mandarin amid TikTok ban and the rise of Chinese app RedNote.

Amid a looming TikTok ban, Duolingo reports a 216% surge in U.S. users learning Mandarin as TikTokers join RedNote.

The U.S. government’s planned ban on TikTok, set to go into effect on January 19, 2025, has driven millions of TikTok users to seek alternatives, with RedNote (also known as Xiaohongshu) emerging as a popular choice.

oh so NOW you’re learning mandarin

— Duolingo (@duolingo) January 14, 2025

RedNote’s adoption has sparked a cultural exchange between the U.S. and China, as users shift from one Chinese-owned platform to another, signaling the demand for the social networking experiences offered by China-based apps. As the app’s default language is Mandarin, many U.S. users have turned to Duolingo to quickly learn Chinese to navigate the new platform.

According to Duolingo, the number of U.S. users enrolling in Mandarin courses surged by 216% compared to the same period last year, with a notable increase in mid-January as RedNote’s popularity spiked. In response to the trend, Duolingo’s marketing team has been active on social media, posting humorous content and promoting Mandarin courses, which have resonated with users keen to adapt to the new social app landscape.

Learning Mandarin out of spite? You're not alone.

We’ve seen a ~216% growth in new Chinese (Mandarin) learners in the US compared to this time last year. https://t.co/9hzwBxfTgD pic.twitter.com/qWM9f5oFYA

— Duolingo (@duolingo) January 15, 2025

The language-learning platform has also seen a 36% boost in U.S. downloads across the App Store and Google Play, according to app intelligence provider Appfigures. This spike in demand reflects the increasing interest in Chinese language skills among American users, further cementing Duolingo’s role in bridging the gap between cultures as the social media landscape shifts.

As the TikTok ban draws near and RedNote continues to gain traction, Duolingo is riding the wave of a growing trend to learn Mandarin, positioning itself as a key player in the cross-cultural exchange that’s unfolding between the U.S. and China.