Instagram vs TikTok vs Xiao Hong Shu (Rednote) — Social Media for Malaysian Businesses, Which Platform Is Right for Your Business?

If you're running a business in Malaysia, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I be on TikTok now? Is Instagram still relevant? What’s Xiaohongshu, and does it matter?”

With more platforms emerging and trends shifting constantly, it’s hard to know where to focus. In this post, we’ll compare Instagram vs TikTok vs Xiaohongshu in Malaysia, breaking down what each platform offers and helping you decide which one fits your brand best.

Social Media for Malaysian Businesses — It’s Not One-Size-Fits-All

Let’s get one thing clear: not every platform works for every business.

• If your audience is mostly Gen Z, TikTok may be your best bet.

• If you're a premium lifestyle brand, Xiaohongshu might give you better reach.

• If you need to balance aesthetics and community, Instagram still leads.

Knowing where your customers are — and what content they engage with — is key to choosing the best Social Media for a Malaysian Businesses.

Platform Breakdown — Instagram vs TikTok vs Xiao Hong Shu (Malaysia Edition)

Which one is right for your brand?

Here’s how they compare across core features:

Feature	Instagram	TikTok	Xiao Hong Shu (Rednote)
Primary Audience	Millennials, Gen Z, urban professionals	Gen Z, youth culture, trend-driven users	Chinese-speaking Gen Z & Millennials, lifestyle-focused
Content Format	Reels, carousels, Stories, static posts	Short videos (15s–1min+), trends, duets	Image + caption + vlog-style video
Viral Potential	Medium	Very High	Niche but influential
Shopping/Link Features	Strong for brands, link in bio, Stories, Shops	Weak for conversion, limited links	Great for discovery, limited backend tools
Language Appeal	English & Malay	English & Malay	Mandarin (key for Chinese-speaking Malaysians)

When Instagram Works Best

• You're a lifestyle brand with strong visuals

• You already have an audience or community base

• You want to use carousels, Reels, and Stories together

• You’re ready to invest in paid ads (Meta Ads system)

Instagram remains a reliable channel for building brand presence, engaging with followers, and creating aesthetic-first content that still converts.

When TikTok is Worth Prioritising

• You want fast reach and visibility

• Your brand is fun, energetic, or trend-aware

• You can produce video content regularly

• You're targeting younger audiences (18–30)

TikTok favours raw, relatable, or humorous content — and rewards experimentation. If your business has personality or storytelling potential, it's a growth machine.

When Xiao Hong Shu (Rednote) is the Best Platform for Malaysian Business

If your brand targets Chinese-speaking consumers — especially Gen Z or urban women — Xiao Hong Shu (Rednote) could be the most underrated platform in your toolkit.

Best for:

• Beauty, skincare, F&B, fashion, and travel

• Boutique, premium, or “aesthetic” businesses

• Businesses open to Mandarin-language content and local influencer collaborations

It’s not about viral dances here — it’s about authentic storytelling, lifestyle shots, and thoughtful write-ups.

Still Not Sure Which Platform to Focus On?

Here’s a simple framework:

Goal	Best Platform
Build a visual brand + engage current customers	Instagram
Go viral fast with short-form video	TikTok
Reach Chinese-speaking audiences with lifestyle content	Xiao Hong Shu (Rednote)

Many brands will eventually be on 2–3 platforms, but start with one where your ideal audience already spends time — and where you can show up consistently.

Need Help Choosing the Right Social Channel?

At Techy Apes, we help brands cut through the noise and focus on the social media strategy that fits their business best. Whether you’re launching on a new platform or trying to grow where you already are, we’ll help you make it work.

Contact Us to Build Your Social Strategy