Is Xiaohongshu Banned in Your Country?
Before troubleshooting your account ban, check if Xiaohongshu is accessible in your region. If your country has restricted the platform, you won’t be able to find it on app stores or use it with local networks.
As of now, Xiaohongshu is banned in:
Texas and Maryland, USA
India
Taiwan (for government employees and devices)
Types of Xiaohongshu Account Restrictions
Xiaohongshu enforces different levels of penalties based on the severity of rule violations:
Warnings
Minor violations, such as using restricted keywords, result in a warning. You may need to edit or remove your post to comply with guidelines.
Limited Reach (Shadowban)
If your post is flagged as overly promotional or inappropriate, it may be hidden from search results and recommendations.
Post Removal
Content involving intellectual property violations, illegal activities, or extreme rule-breaking is taken down immediately.
Account Muting
If your account engages in spam, unauthorized promotions, or directs users to external platforms, you may be muted—restricting your ability to post, comment, or send messages for 24 hours to over 30 days.
Permanent Ban
Severe violations, such as buying fake followers, spreading misinformation, or engaging in fraudulent activities, can result in a permanent account ban.
Common Reasons for Xiaohongshu Account Bans
Violation of Platform Rules
Xiaohongshu strictly enforces its community guidelines. Users directing traffic to external platforms, posting harmful content, or spreading false information risk account suspension.
Use of Banned Keywords
The platform prohibits certain words to prevent exaggerated advertising. These include:
Superlative claims: "Best," "Number 1," "Exclusive."
Authoritative statements: "Health Department Recommended."
Clickbait phrases: "Click to Redeem," "You Won a Prize."
Spending triggers: "Limited Edition," "Flash Sale."
Unverified claims: "Quick Weight Loss," "Improve Your Luck."
Using these keywords in captions, visuals, or descriptions can lead to post removal or account penalties.
Posting Political Content
Since Xiaohongshu operates under Chinese regulations, content conflicting with government principles, sensitive political topics, or criticism of Chinese authorities can result in an immediate ban.
Inappropriate or Illegal Content
The platform strictly prohibits:
Pornographic or overly revealing visuals
Violent or disturbing images
Promotion of gambling, drugs, or other illegal activities
Superstitious or religious content conflicting with government policies
Misuse of copyrighted material
Spreading misinformation or fake news
Buying Fake Followers
Xiaohongshu actively detects accounts that artificially inflate their follower count through third-party services. If your engagement doesn’t align with your growth, your account may be flagged and banned.
Being Reported by Other Users
Xiaohongshu allows users to report inappropriate content. If multiple reports are verified, the platform may penalize or ban your account.
How to Recover a Banned Xiaohongshu Account
If your account is banned, follow these steps:
Check the Ban Notification
Xiaohongshu sends a message detailing the reason for your ban and its duration. Understanding the cause will help you determine the best course of action.
Submit an Appeal
If you believe your ban was a mistake, submit an appeal through the Help Center in the app:
Click the sidebar icon in the top left corner.
Select Help Center
Choose Account Appeal
Provide supporting evidence, such as screenshots or explanations.
Submit your request and wait for a response.
Maintaining a professional and respectful tone in your appeal increases your chances of reinstatement.
Avoid Future Violations
Once reinstated, ensure compliance with platform guidelines by:
Avoiding restricted keywords
Keeping promotional content within approved limits
Staying clear of sensitive political or illegal topics
Using Xiaohongshu’s official advertising tools, like ShuTiao and JuGuang, instead of third-party follower-buying services
Need Expert Help Managing Your Xiaohongshu Presence?
Navigating Xiaohongshu’s rules can be challenging, especially for foreign brands unfamiliar with Chinese social media regulations. At Lotus Social Agency, we specialize in helping international brands build a compliant and successful presence on Xiaohongshu.
Contact us today to optimize your Xiaohongshu marketing strategy and grow your brand safely!
Related: RedNote compliance guidance for international brands.
Explore social media account setup and verification support.
Contact Lotus for help with ownership, documents or recovery.
