Top Chinese Social Media Sites and Apps in China (Update 2024)
Throughout history, humans have continually sought ways to connect and network with one another. In today's digital era, social media platforms have become our go-to spaces, where we spend significant portions of our day staying informed about the lives of those we know and global events.
China and its citizens are deeply integrated into this trend. The landscape of social media in China is rapidly evolving, with new platforms emerging at an astonishing pace. This dynamic environment is reminiscent of a constantly shifting hierarchy within a monkey tribe, where new leaders emerge every few months or even weeks.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to SEO Shifu's comprehensive list of Chinese social media platforms that are essential for staying connected in the digital age.
Additionally, we plan to update this article regularly. If you're an internet marketer, consider bookmarking or sharing this page. This way, you can easily return to discover our latest insights and additions.
The Most Popular
1. WeChat
Launched in 2011 by Tencent, the powerhouse behind QQ, WeChat began as an instant messaging application. It's accessible across all major desktop and mobile platforms, including PC, Mac, iOS, and Android.
Since its inception, WeChat has evolved into a versatile platform that encompasses much more than messaging. It now integrates social media, payment services, official accounts, and mini-programs, transforming it into a comprehensive ecosystem.
Dubbed China's "super app," WeChat offers a wide range of functionalities, allowing users to perform virtually any task within its interface.
Official website: https://weixin.qq.com/
Key features and functions
Official accounts
Mini-programs
Moments
Wallet
Advertising
2. Weibo
In essence, Weibo combines the best of Twitter and Facebook.
Launched in 2009 by Sina Corp, a leading Chinese internet company, Weibo is a dynamic platform for online news and microblogging. It allows registered users to share both text and multimedia content, fostering a vibrant community of information exchange and social interaction.
Initially, posts on Weibo were limited to 140 characters, mirroring the early constraints of Twitter. However, in a significant update in 2016, this restriction was lifted, enabling more in-depth communication and storytelling.
Explore more at the official website: https://weibo.com
Key features and functions
Verified accounts
Advertising
Comment and private message
Multimedia content
Long posts
Shopping
3. Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)
Xiaohongshu, also known as "Little Red Book," is a vibrant online community dedicated to reviews and lifestyle sharing. Renowned for its robust user-generated content (UGC), Xiaohongshu has become a favorite platform among female online shoppers.
The platform's UGC primarily highlights luxury, beauty, and fashion products, establishing Xiaohongshu as a go-to source for the latest trends in these areas. Additionally, content related to travel, fitness, and interior design is gaining popularity, reflecting the diverse interests of its user base.
Xiaohongshu also boasts a notable presence of Chinese celebrities and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), who maintain official accounts on the platform. This further enriches the content and appeal of Xiaohongshu to its audience.
Discover more at the official website: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/
Key features and functions
Strong UGC
Mainly luxury, beauty and fashion products
Popular among female users
4. SMZDM (What's Worth Buying)
SMZDM, short for "What's Worth Buying" or "什么值得买" in Chinese, stands as the premier shopping guide and review website in China. It offers a comprehensive suite of features including in-depth product reviews, Haitao (overseas shopping) guides, and a collection of coupons and discounts to ensure savvy shopping experiences.
Explore further at their website: https://www.smzdm.com/
Key features and functions
Strong UGC, especially on shopping on foreign online stores
Coupons, deals, discounts, gifts...
Browser extensions for price comparison and change tracking
Video
5. Youku
Youku, widely recognized as the "YouTube of China," is the leading video hosting website in the country. In 2012, Youku solidified its position at the top by merging with its main competitor, Tudou, creating the largest platform for video hosting and sharing in China.
Visit the website at: www.youku.com
6. Tencent Video
Tencent Video, developed by the Chinese internet behemoth Tencent, is a premier video hosting and sharing platform. Its popularity as a video marketing channel has surged alongside the rapid growth of WeChat.
For those with a WeChat Subscription or Service Account, I highly recommend adopting Tencent Video as your principal video marketing conduit. This integration is particularly beneficial when embedding videos into articles on your WeChat account, ensuring a seamless user experience.
Explore more at their website: v.qq.com
Short video
7. Kuaishou (Kwai)
Kuaishou stands as a prominent video-sharing and social networking platform in China, boasting a global user base of over 700 million. Every day, millions of original videos are published on the platform, showcasing the creativity and diversity of its vast community.
Website: www.kwai.com
8. Tik Tok (Douyin)
TikTok, known in China as Douyin, emerged as a revolutionary short video and social media application in 2016. As of today, Douyin dominates as the premier short video platform, not just in China, but across Asia as well.
By June 2022, the app boasted 800 million daily active users and reached a milestone of 500 million monthly active users. It also earned the title of the world's most downloaded app in the first quarter of 2022, with an impressive 45.8 million downloads, highlighting its rapid ascent in global popularity.
Website: www.douyin.com
Blogging
9. Lofter
Lofter, a microblogging and social networking site operated by NetEase, provides a platform for users to share both text and multimedia content. It fosters a vibrant community where users can follow the blogs of others that capture their interest, creating a personalized feed of content.
Website: www.lofter.com
10. Sina Blog
Sina Blog stands as one of China's pioneering web blogging services, boasting the largest user base in the country. This free blogging platform is seamlessly integrated with Sina Weibo, enhancing its connectivity and reach within the digital community.
Website: blog.sina.com
News
11. Toutiao
Toutiao, also known as Jinritoutiao (今日头条), is the foremost news aggregation and content platform in China. It is renowned for its sophisticated machine learning algorithms, which customize the news feed and content to match the behavior and interests of each user, ensuring a highly personalized experience.
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