Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global search engine landscape. Google recently launched its AI Mode search feature, designed to handle complex queries, support multimodal data processing, and deliver a more intelligent search experience. However, for Chinese users, such features may already feel familiar. In China, platforms like Baidu, Metaso (秘塔), Kimi, and Quark (夸克) have long demonstrated advanced applications of AI search, with some even surpassing global competitors in technical capabilities.

The deep integration of WeChat and DeepSeek, coupled with Kimi AI’s breakthrough in long-context reasoning, is reshaping the competitive landscape of the Chinese search market. Baidu, as the traditional search giant, faces multi-dimensional challenges to its core business model, particularly its organic traffic distribution system reliant on SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This analysis will delve into the impact from four perspectives: content ecosystem, user behavior, technological capabilities, and business model.

In 2020, WeChat traffic led the way: 1.09 billion users opened WeChat and 330 million users made video calls; 780 million users opened Moments and 120 million users posted in Moments; 360 million users read articles in public accounts and 400 million users use Mini Programs.

According to Lin, Baidu’s Smart Mini Program Business Director, said that the cooperation between Baidu’s Smart Mini Program and Amazon’s Global Stores is a perfect complement and synergy of business environments and functions. The launch of the Smart Mini Programs will provide Baidu users with a more diverse and international shopping experience. On the other hand, it also can be a powerful element to enhance Baidu’s mobile e-commerce ability.

The mobile version of Taobao is about to undergo a new version. In the new version, it is said that a feature called Minidetails (微詳情) will be added, so that the information position you like on the Taobao homepage will gradually replace the previous mobile Taobao, or you may say this is the function of Taobao page. It is said that the update of the homepage in the mobile version of Taobao will focus on the following aspects.

WeChat always catches up the pace in the market and always been doing great. What we have been mentioning about WeChat Channels in the past few weeks are quite dull and not surprising, however, WeChat Channels in the WeChat Official Accounts brought different traffic portals with new content. There is still have no clear position for their video account at the WeChat Moment. Lots of professionals think that WeChat Channels will bring us more traffic on knowledge-wise or simply transform the written content in WeChat Official Accounts to videos.