About Baidu

Baidu, China’s leading search engine, was founded in 2000 by Robin Li and Eric Xu. Inspired by Li’s earlier work on search algorithms, Baidu quickly grew to dominate the Chinese search engine market. By 2005, Baidu was listed on the NASDAQ, further solidifying its presence. It has since evolved into a tech giant, expanding into AI, autonomous driving, and other advanced technologies.

Baidu operates similarly to Western search engines, with a focus on providing localized content for its users. The engine utilizes its proprietary algorithms to crawl, index, and rank websites based on relevance to user queries. In addition to traditional web search, Baidu offers services such as image search, video search, and maps. Its algorithms are optimized for the Chinese language and web environment, with censorship policies aligned with Chinese regulations.

Baidu remains the dominant search engine in China, holding more than 60% of the market share in the country. It continues to innovate in areas such as AI, deep learning, and smart assistants. The company's international footprint, however, is limited due to restrictions and competition from other global tech giants. Baidu's growth now spans beyond search into AI-driven initiatives, making it a leader in China’s tech industry.

Baidu Timeline

• 2000: Baidu was founded by Robin Li and Eric Xu in Beijing, China. It quickly positioned itself as a search engine tailored specifically for the Chinese language and internet users.
• 2005: Baidu went public on the NASDAQ, raising $109 million. It became the first Chinese company to be included in the NASDAQ-100 Index, marking its rise in the global tech market.
• 2010: Baidu achieved dominance in the Chinese market, surpassing Google China after Google redirected its search service to Hong Kong following disputes with the Chinese government over censorship.
• 2013: Baidu expanded its services beyond search, including mapping, AI, and cloud computing, positioning itself as a tech conglomerate similar to Google’s business model.
• 2020: Baidu continued to lead the search engine market in China, with a focus on artificial intelligence and autonomous driving, while maintaining a significant user base across search and online advertising.
• Legacy: Baidu is the dominant search engine in China and a major player in AI research, reflecting China’s strict internet regulations and the unique needs of its market.

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