If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or Pinterest lately, you’ve probably seen screenshots of a sleek, aesthetic app that looks like a high-end digital magazine. That’s Rednote. Or Xiaohongshu. Or "Little Red Book." Honestly, the naming is the first hurdle for anyone trying to figure out if can you monetize on Rednote because the platform is currently in a massive state of transition.
It’s huge. It’s profitable. But it’s also weirdly gatekept by geography and language.
Here’s the deal: Xiaohongshu is the original Chinese powerhouse, and "Rednote" is the international version they’ve been pushing in markets like Southeast Asia, Japan, and now more frequently in the US and Europe. People are obsessed with it because it’s not just a "look at me" app. It’s a "help me buy this" app. In the world of social commerce, that’s the holy grail. But if you’re sitting there with a phone and a dream of making money, the path isn't as straightforward as just turning on an ad-share button.
The Core Reality of Making Money on Rednote
Let's get the big question out of the way immediately. Yes. You can. But the "how" depends entirely on which version of the app you’re using and where your audience lives.
Unlike YouTube, where Google basically sends you a check once you hit certain metrics, Rednote functions more like a community-driven marketplace. It’s built on "seeds" (content) that lead to "grass" (desire) and eventually "harvesting" (the sale). If you want to know can you monetize on Rednote, you have to stop thinking like a creator and start thinking like a curator.
The platform uses a system called "Professional Accounts." You need this. Without it, you’re just a hobbyist. Once you’ve verified your identity—which, full disclosure, can be a headache for non-Chinese residents depending on the current monthly update to their TOS—you unlock the ability to work with brands directly through their internal matchmaking system.
Brand Collaborations and the Puyu Program
The most common way people make money is through the "Pugongying" (Dandelion) platform. This is the official bridge. Brands look for creators who have high "engagement-to-follower" ratios. On Rednote, having 5,000 highly active followers is worth way more than 50,000 passive ones.
Why? Because the algorithm prioritizes "notes" that people actually save.
A "save" on Rednote is the ultimate currency. It tells the AI that your content is useful. When you’re doing brand deals, the company isn't just paying for the view; they’re paying to be in the "Collections" of thousands of users who are planning a purchase.
The E-commerce Integration (The Real Goldmine)
If you aren't into being an "influencer," you can just sell stuff. Rednote is essentially a social-first shopping mall.
You can open a digital storefront. For international users, this has historically been difficult due to logistics and payment gateways like Alipay or WeChat Pay, but the "Rednote" branded version of the app is slowly integrating more localized payment options.
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- You post a photo of a handmade ceramic mug.
- You tag the product.
- The user buys it without ever leaving the app.
The commission rates vary, and Rednote takes a cut, but the conversion rate is often double what you’d see on a standard Instagram shop because the user intent is already "buy-ready."
The "KOC" Phenomenon
You’ve heard of influencers, but Rednote is the land of the KOC—Key Opinion Consumer. This is a massive distinction. A KOC is just a regular person who gives brutally honest reviews. Brands are literally desperate for these people. They don't want the polished, perfect studio lighting. They want a photo taken on a messy desk that shows how a lipstick actually looks after three hours of wear.
This is where the answer to can you monetize on Rednote gets exciting for the average person. You don't need a professional camera. You need an opinion. Many creators start by getting "gifted" products, which isn't cash, but it leads to the "Reward" system where users can tip you in virtual currency that converts to real money.
Content That Actually Converts
You can't just post a selfie and expect a check. The "Rednote Style" is a very specific vibe. It’s often called "OOTD" (Outfit of the Day) or "Vlog style," but with a heavy emphasis on information.
Think of it as "Useful Aesthetics."
If you’re posting about a cafe, don't just show the coffee. Show the menu. Mention that the outlet under the corner table doesn't work. Tell people the best time to arrive to avoid the crowd. This "utility" is what triggers the monetization potential.
The Barrier to Entry: Geography and Logistics
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. If you are in the United States or the UK, your experience with Rednote will be different than someone in Singapore or Shanghai.
- The Language Gap: While Rednote is pushing an English interface, the high-paying brand deals are still largely coming from companies targeting the Chinese-speaking diaspora or people interested in C-beauty and Asian fashion.
- Account Verification: To get the big bucks, you usually need to verify with a passport. Some users are hesitant to do this with a Chinese-owned platform. That’s a personal choice, but it’s a bottleneck for many.
- Payment: Withdrawing your earnings often requires a link to a valid bank account that can handle the platform’s specific payment processors. In 2026, this has become easier with more global fintech integrations, but it’s still not "one-click" easy.
Live Streaming: The High-Stakes Game
If you really want to scale, you look at live streaming. This isn't like Twitch where you play games. It’s more like QVC on steroids.
The most successful live streamers on the platform spend four to six hours talking through products in extreme detail. It’s exhausting. It’s also incredibly lucrative. Even smaller creators can earn a significant percentage of sales generated during a stream.
But here is the catch: your content has to be "live-worthy." You need a hook. You need to be able to answer questions in real-time about the texture of a fabric or the ingredients in a serum. The platform's audience is notoriously savvy. They will sniff out a fake or a scripted ad in seconds.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think they can just cross-post their TikToks to Rednote.
Don't do that.
The aspect ratios are similar, but the culture is completely different. TikTok is entertainment; Rednote is research. If your video is just a quick dance, it will flop. If your video is a "How I styled this $10 shirt five ways," it will fly.
Can You Monetize on Rednote Without Being a "Face" Creator?
Absolutely. There is a huge market for "faceless" curation.
- Digital Templates: People sell Notion templates, wallpaper designs, and organizational hacks.
- Service-Based Leads: If you’re a photographer or a designer, you use the app as a portfolio. The monetization happens off-app when clients DM you for your rates.
- Affiliate Links: While the platform prefers internal shops, savvy creators use their bio links to drive traffic to external sites, though you have to be careful not to get "shadowbanned" for pulling users away from the app.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you're serious about this, stop scrolling and start structuring.
First, switch your account to a "Professional" or "Business" status immediately. You can find this in the settings under "Account Management." It’s free, and it gives you the analytics you need to see who is actually looking at your stuff.
Second, pick a niche that is "saveable." Home decor, skincare, study tips, or travel itineraries. These are the four pillars of Rednote. If you are trying to monetize a niche like "political commentary," you’re going to have a hard time because that’s not what the users are there for.
Third, focus on your cover image. The "Rednote Cover" is an art form. It usually involves a high-quality photo with bold, clean text overlays that summarize the value of the post. Use apps like Canva or the internal Rednote editor to make it look professional.
Finally, engage with the "MCN" (Multi-Channel Network) world if you start seeing growth. These are agencies that represent Rednote creators. They can handle the brand negotiations for you, which is helpful if you don't speak the language of the brands' headquarters.
The Verdict
So, can you monetize on Rednote? Yes, but it requires more "work" and less "post and pray" than other platforms. It’s a marathon of building trust. The users aren't followers; they’re students and shoppers. Treat them like that, and the money follows.
Next Steps for Potential Creators:
- Download the latest version of Rednote and spend a week browsing the "Explore" page to understand the visual language.
- Audit your current content to see which pieces provide actual, tangible utility that someone would want to save for later.
- Check your verification eligibility in the app settings to see which monetization features are unlocked in your specific region.
- Experiment with "T-style" titles—one part emotional hook, one part factual benefit—to see how your click-through rate shifts.