ๅญ่่ทณๅจไธ็บฟไบๆ็ดขไธๅก๏ผไธๅๆปก่ถณไบๅๅ ๅฎนๅๅๅนณๅฐ โ Jiemian
What happened: Media giant Bytedance has updated the search function in its content aggregator Jinri Toutiao, enabling users to access content outside the app with the built-in search bar, media outlet Jiemian reported. The new feature is an extension of the companyโs โinformation creates valueโ slogan, Bytedance said. Jinri Toutiao marks search results from external websites with a โexternalโ sign next to the name of the website. In-app searches have been available in Jinri Toutiao since Jan. 16.
Why itโs important: The new search feature puts parent company Bytedance in direct competition with Baidu, which dominated the Chinese search engine landscape since Googleโs exit in 2010. With Baidu facing consumer criticism and a deteriorating brand image for promoting low-quality content, Jinri Toutiao could prove to be a strong challenger. Though it is still in the testing phase, the new search function could leverage user data Bytedance has at hand and help the company further monetize Jinri Toutiaoโs traffic by redirecting users to sponsored results in the app.
