Is bilibili The Same as YouTube for Creators?

Understanding how the Chinese video platform works and brings creators to a global scene.

Núria Crespi
adobaro
5 min readMar 23, 2024

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bilibili stands out as a vibrant video-sharing platform, capturing the attention of China’s younger demographic. But what exactly is bilibili, and how can advertisers tap into its vast Gen Z user base effectively?

Let’s delve into how bilibili works, uncovering its essence and current trends within the video landscape. Moreover, we discover how adobaro, an AI-based platform, can make content creators enter and expand their content to a global scene.

What is bilibili?
It’s one of China’s hottest emerging video platforms having almost tripled its audience in the last couple of years. Initially centered around gaming, animation, and comics, bilibili has expanded its content offerings to include various genres such as lifestyle and beauty.

It’s focused on user generated content, along with innovative features like bullet comments, making it one of the most used video apps by China’s Gen Z generation.

Thanks to its similar users, features, and functionality some say that bilibili is the YouTube of China. The platform is in a unique position on the Chinese market, as it’s backed by both Alibaba (7.2%) and Tencent (13.3%), as well as Japanese Sony (4.89%).

The Data Behind bilibili’s Success
The platform has experienced an incredible growth these past few years. Here’s an overview of the data:

  • 172.4 million Monthly Active Users — a 70% yearly growth rate.
  • 156.4 million mobile Monthly Active Users — a 77% yearly growth rate.
  • 50.8 million daily users — a 69% yearly growth rate.
  • 13.4 million monthly playing users — a 134% yearly growth rate.
  • $327 million net revenue — a 69% yearly growth rate.
  • Users spend an average of 87 minutes daily on the app.

This growth is also reflected in its engagement and retention metrics. The platform’s community thrives on engagement, boasting an impressive 80%+ 12-month retention rate. Users spend an average of 87 minutes daily on the platform, surpassing traditional television viewership. Notably, bilibili’s New Year Gala livestream garnered over 44 million views in a single day, eclipsing national TV networks — a testament to its entrenched user engagement.

How Different is bilibili from YouTube?
At bilibili, joining the community is a bit like passing a fun test. Users encounter a set of 100 questions, mostly about “commenting etiquette.” Score 60 points or above, you become an official user of the platform being able to start posting “bullet comments”. The platform ensures that everyone treats each other with kindness and respect and the community regulations are being followed. Meanwhile, YouTube works differently, they had a set of rules as their community guidelines. Those help keep things friendly and safe by outlining what’s not correct — like hate speeches and bullying.

Both platforms control the content to make sure the time spend online is satisfactory for everyone, but bilibili’s test adds an extra layer of assurance, ensuring a super-safe and welcoming space for all its members.

“bullet comments” on a bilibili’s video

bilibili takes a unique approach to advertising notably different from YouTube. Unlike YouTube’s ads, the Chinese platform doesn’t incorporate in-video advertisments. Instead, it primarily relies on in-feed ads, which are seamlessly integrated into users’ feeds based on the platforms’s algorithm. These ads are strategically presented to users, targeting different interest groups to enhance relevance and engagement. By eschewing in-video ads, bilibili ensures a more uninterrumped vieweing experience, distinguishing itself from YouTube’s model. This approach aligns on the platforms commitment to providing a user-friendly platform while still offering effective advertising solutions for brands looking to engage with its audience.

Moreover, this strategy enhances the appeal for brands seeking to collaborate with creators active on the platform. With access to billions of users, it offers brands a significant opportunity to market their products effectively and reach a wide audience. If you’re interested on learning more about influencer marketing and China, feel free to read this article.

Let’s Talk About Money. How Does it Monetize?
bilibili’s revenue generation mechanisms have evolved significantly, transcending it’s origins as a mobile gaming-centric platform. While gaming once dominated revenue streams, advertising, e-commerce, and value-added services (VAS) have emerged as key revenue drivers. Notably, bilibili’s strategic investments in livestreaming and premium memberships underscore its diversification strategy.

bilibili’s Benefits in a Nutshell
As a recap, here are some of the most remarkable benefits of the platform.

  • Under the nickname of “Chinese YouTube”, it offers a superior ad experience compared to its competitors.
  • Primary focus on user-generated content, it boasts remarkably high levels of engagement and user retention.
  • Vibrant and tightly-knit communities make it easier for advertisers to connect with their target audiences effectively.
  • bilibili presents lucrative opportunities for advertisers in various sectors such as gaming, e-commerce and life-style.

Entering Chinese platforms can be hard task for content creators outside of China. adobaro’s platform streamlines and simplifies this process, making it accesible and seamless for those looking to expand their reach. As a leading Creator Content Cross-Border Platform, adobaro facilitates channel management, verification, and revenue settlement for content creators. With exclusive partnerships with China’s Top 12 platforms and leveraging advanced AI technology though their AI service. This one-source multi-platform operation ensures a smooth content creation journey, empowering creators to navigate the complexities of entering the Chinese market easily.

Learn more: https://home.adobaro.com
Inquiries: global@adoba.net

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