Baidu#Services

File:Baidu headquarters at Shangdi (20220509112439).jpg

In 1994, Robin Li (Pinyin: Li Yanhong, {{Zh|c=李彦宏}}) joined IDD Information Services, a New Jersey division of Dow Jones and Company, where he helped develop software for the online edition of The Wall Street Journal.{{cite news |url= http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/bizfocus/archives/2006/09/17/2003328060 |title=Robin Li's vision powers Baidu's Internet search dominance |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110203043023/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/bizfocus/archives/2006/09/17/2003328060 |archive-date=3 February 2011 |work=Taipei Times |date=17 September 2006}} He also worked on developing better algorithms for search engines and remained at IDD Information Services from May 1994 to June 1997.

In 1996, while at IDD, Li developed the RankDex site-scoring algorithm for search engines results page ranking[http://www.rankdex.com/about.html "About: RankDex"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120002301/http://www.rankdex.com/about.html |date=20 January 2012 }}, rankdex.comGreenberg, Andy, [https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1005/technology-baidu-robin-li-man-whos-beating-google.html "The Man Who's Beating Google"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919062623/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/1005/technology-baidu-robin-li-man-whos-beating-google.html |date=19 September 2018 }}, Forbes magazine, 5 October 2009Yanhong Li, "Toward a Qualitative Search Engine," IEEE Internet Computing, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 24–29, July/Aug. 1998, {{doi|10.1109/4236.707687}} and received a US patent for the technology.USPTO, [https://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT5920859&id=x04ZAAAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=yanhong+li&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q=yanhong%20li&f=false "Hypertext Document Retrieval System and Method"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205225726/http://www.google.com/patents?hl=en&lr=&vid=USPAT5920859&id=x04ZAAAAEBAJ&oi=fnd&dq=yanhong+li&printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q=yanhong%20li&f=false |date=5 December 2011 }}, US Patent number: 5920859, Inventor: Yanhong Li, Filing date: 5 February 1997, Issue date: 6 July 1999 Launched in 1996, RankDex was the first search engine that used hyperlinks to measure the quality of websites it was indexing.{{cite web |date=18 September 2018 |title=Baidu Vs Google: The Twins Of Search Compared |url=https://fourweekmba.com/baidu-vs-google/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616132734/https://fourweekmba.com/baidu-vs-baidu/ |archive-date=16 June 2019 |access-date=16 June 2019 |website=FourWeekMBA}} Li referred to his search mechanism as "link analysis," which involved ranking the popularity of a web site based on how many other sites had linked to it.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2006 |title=The Rise of Baidu (That's Chinese for Google) |work=The New York Times |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/business/yourmoney/17baidu.html |url-status=live |access-date=16 June 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190627071550/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/business/yourmoney/17baidu.html |archive-date=27 June 2019}} It predated the similar PageRank algorithm used by Google two years later in 1998;{{cite web |last=Altucher |first=James |date=18 March 2011 |title=10 Unusual Things About Google (also: the worst VC decision I ever made) |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesaltucher/2011/03/18/10-unusual-things-about-google-also-the-worst-vc-decision-i-ever-made/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616133656/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesaltucher/2011/03/18/10-unusual-things-about-google-also-the-worst-vc-decision-i-ever-made/ |archive-date=16 June 2019 |access-date=16 June 2019 |website=Forbes}} Google founder Larry Page referenced Li's work as a citation in some of his U.S. patents for PageRank.{{cite web |title=Method for node ranking in a linked database |url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6285999 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151015185034/http://www.google.com/patents/US6285999 |archive-date=15 October 2015 |access-date=19 October 2015 |publisher=Google Patents}} Li later used his RankDex technology for the Baidu search engine.

Baidu was incorporated on 18 January 2000 by Robin Li and Eric Xu.{{cite web |last=Kenton |first=Will |date=6 June 2018 |title=Baidu |url=https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/baidu.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427020704/https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/baidu.asp |archive-date=27 April 2019 |access-date=27 April 2019 |website=Investopedia }} In 2001, Baidu allowed advertisers to bid for ad space then pay Baidu every time a customer clicked on an ad, predating Google's approach to advertising. In 2003, Baidu launched a news search engine and picture search engine, adopting a special identification technology capable of identifying and grouping the articles.{{cite web |title=Baidu Launched News Search Engine and Pictures Search Engine |url= http://business.highbeam.com/436093/article-1G1-105619810/baidu-launched-news-search-engine-and-pictures-search |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131110222024/http://business.highbeam.com/436093/article-1G1-105619810/baidu-launched-news-search-engine-and-pictures-search |archive-date=10 November 2013}}

Baidu went public on Wall Street through a variable interest entity (VIE) based in the Cayman Islands on 5 August 2005.{{cite web |title=The Untold Story of the Baidu IPO |url=https://seekingalpha.com/article/157809-the-untold-story-of-the-baidu-ipo |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161024214752/http://seekingalpha.com/article/157809-the-untold-story-of-the-baidu-ipo |archive-date=24 October 2016 |access-date=8 September 2019 |website=Seeking Alpha|date=23 August 2009 }}

In 2007, Chinese government and Chinese industry sources stated that Baidu received a license from Beijing, which allows the search engine to become a full-fledged news website. Thus Baidu is able to provide its own reports, besides showing certain results as a search engine. Baidu was the first Chinese search engine to receive such a license.{{cite web |date=23 January 2007 |title=Google's Lookalike is Expanding in China |url=http://www.gadget4boys.com/index.php?page=articles&catid=3&id=20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929004244/http://www.gadget4boys.com/index.php?page=articles&catid=3&id=20 |archive-date=29 September 2007 |access-date=23 January 2007 |publisher=Gadget4boys.com}}

Baidu started its Japanese language search service, run by Baidu Japan, the company's first regular service outside of China in 2008.{{Cite news |title=China's Baidu begins services in Japanese |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/01/24/business/chinas-baidu-begins-services-in-japanese/ |date=January 24, 2008 |work=The Japan Times |access-date=November 25, 2024 |language=en}}

The Japanese search engine closed on 16 March 2015.{{cite web |date=17 April 2015 |title=After 8 years of failing, Baidu shuts Japan search engine |url=https://www.techinasia.com/baidu-shuts-japan-search-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623130939/https://www.techinasia.com/baidu-shuts-japan-search-engine/ |archive-date=23 June 2015 |access-date=17 April 2015 |publisher=Tech IN Asia}}

On 31 July 2012, Baidu announced that it would team up with Sina to provide mobile search results.{{Cite news |date=31 July 2012 |title=Sina and Baidu team up in China to focus on mobile |work=BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19061997 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190223021149/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19061997 |archive-date=23 February 2019}}

On 18 November 2012, Baidu announced that it would be partnering with Qualcomm to offer free cloud storage to Android users with Snapdragon processors.{{cite web |date=19 November 2012 |title=Baidu and Qualcomm partner to offer free cloud storage |url= http://www.geekshut.com/baidu-and-qualcomm-partner-to-offer-free-cloud-storage/6788 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130116102139/http://www.geekshut.com/baidu-and-qualcomm-partner-to-offer-free-cloud-storage/6788 |archive-date=16 January 2013 |access-date=22 April 2013 |website=Geeks Hut}}

On 2 August 2013, Baidu launched its Personal Assistant app, designed to help CEOs, managers and the white-collar workers manage their business relationships.[http://www.chinainternetwatch.com/2718/baidu-personal-assistant-app-android/ Baidu Launch Personal Assistant App for Android Phones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918024757/http://www.chinainternetwatch.com/2718/baidu-personal-assistant-app-android/ |date=18 September 2013 }},CHINA INTERNET WATCH, 6 August 2013

On 16 May 2014, Baidu appointed Dr. Andrew Ng as chief scientist. Dr. Ng will lead Baidu Research in Silicon Valley and Beijing.{{cite press release |title= Baidu Opens Silicon Valley Lab, Appoints Andrew Ng as Head of Baidu Research |url= http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-opens-silicon-valley-lab-appoints-andrew-ng-as-head-of-baidu-research-259539471.html |publisher=Baidu, Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170305191800/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-opens-silicon-valley-lab-appoints-andrew-ng-as-head-of-baidu-research-259539471.html |archive-date=5 March 2017 |access-date=3 June 2017 |via=PRNewswire}}

On 18 July 2014, the company launched a Brazilian version of the search engine, Baidu Busca.{{cite news |last=Bischoff |first=Paul |date=18 July 2014 |title=China web giant Baidu launches search engine in Brazil |url=http://www.techinasia.com/baidu-launches-search-engine-in-brazil/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808133756/http://www.techinasia.com/baidu-launches-search-engine-in-brazil/ |archive-date=8 August 2014 |access-date=4 August 2014 |website=Tech in Asia}}

On 9 October 2014, Baidu announced acquisition of Brazilian local e-commerce site Peixe Urbano.{{cite news |date=4 December 2014 |title=China's Baidu buys control of Brazil's Peixe Urbano in expansion push |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-peixe-urbano-m-a-baidu-idUSKCN0HY1EN20141009 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151013054135/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/09/us-peixe-urbano-m-a-baidu-idUSKCN0HY1EN20141009 |archive-date=13 October 2015 |access-date=30 June 2017 |publisher=Reuters}}

In April 2017, Baidu announced the launch of its Apollo project (Apolong), a self-driving vehicle platform, in a bid to help drive the development of autonomous cars including vehicle platform, hardware platform, open-source software platform and cloud data services.{{Cite news |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=18 April 2017 |title=Baidu is making its self-driving car platform freely available to the automotive industry |work=TechCrunch |url= https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/baidu-project-apollo/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170419175735/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/18/baidu-project-apollo/ |archive-date=19 April 2017}} Baidu plans to launch this project in July 2017, before gradually introducing fully autonomous driving capabilities on highways and open city roads by 2020.{{Cite news |last=Sangameswaran S |date=19 April 2017 |title=Baidu to launch self-driving car technology in July |publisher=Reuters |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baidu-autonomous-idUSKBN17L05K?il=0 |url-status=live |access-date=19 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170624131756/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-baidu-autonomous-idUSKBN17L05K?il=0 |archive-date=24 June 2017}} In September 2017, Baidu launched a $1.5billion autonomous driving fund to invest in as many as 100 autonomous driving projects over the ensuing three years.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-baidu-autonomous-idUSKCN1BW0QJ|title=China's Baidu launches $1.5 billion autonomous driving fund|website=Reuters|date=21 September 2017|access-date=7 January 2022|archive-date=7 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107201543/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-baidu-autonomous-idUSKCN1BW0QJ|url-status=live}} At the same time, Apollo open-source software version 1.5 was also launched.{{cite web |url=https://www.eetimes.com/chinas-apollo-plan-explained/ |title=China's Apollo Plan Explained |publisher=EETimes |date= 21 June 2018|accessdate=1 March 2022 |archive-date=6 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206210734/https://www.eetimes.com/chinas-apollo-plan-explained/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2017, Baidu partnered with Continental and Bosch, auto industry suppliers, on automated driving and connected cars.{{Cite news |first=Darrell |last=Etherington |date=1 June 2017 |title=Baidu teams up with Bosch and Continental on self-driving tech |work=TechCrunch |url= https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/01/baidu-teams-up-with-bosch-and-continental-on-self-driving-tech |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170601135343/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/01/baidu-teams-up-with-bosch-and-continental-on-self-driving-tech/ |archive-date=1 June 2017}}

In July 2017, Baidu GBU entered into a partnership with Snap Inc. to act as the company's official ad reseller for Snapchat in Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore.{{cite web |last=Flynn |first=Kerry |date=31 July 2019 |title=How China's Baidu works with Snap, Pinterest and Reddit on ad sales |url=https://digiday.com/marketing/chinas-baidu-works-snap-pinterest-reddit-ad-sales/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801121750/https://digiday.com/marketing/chinas-baidu-works-snap-pinterest-reddit-ad-sales/ |archive-date=1 August 2019 |access-date=22 August 2019 |website=Digiday}} The partnership was extended in 2019.{{cite web |date=16 July 2019 |title=Snap turns to search giant Baidu to court Chinese advertisers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/16/snap-baidu-partnership/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |website=TechCrunch}}

In September 2017, Baidu rolled out a new portable talking translator that can listen and speak in several different languages. Smaller than a typical smartphone, the 140-gram translation device can also be used as a portable Wi-Fi router and is able to operate on networks in 80 countries. It is still under development. Baidu will also be inserting artificial intelligence (AI) technology into smartphones, through its deep learning platform.{{Cite news |title=Baidu's talking translator gives tourists a hand |work=Nikkei Asian Review |url= https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/AC/Baidu-s-talking-translator-gives-tourists-a-hand |url-status=live |access-date=23 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170923145147/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/AC/Baidu-s-talking-translator-gives-tourists-a-hand |archive-date=23 September 2017}}{{Cite news |title=Baidu puts open-source deep learning into smartphones |url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/09/26/baidu_mobile_deep_learning/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 September 2017 |work=The Register |date=26 September 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170926095038/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/09/26/baidu_mobile_deep_learning/ |archive-date=26 September 2017}} At the same period, it has also led a joint investment of US$12billion with Alibaba Group, Tencent, JD.com and Didi Chuxing, acquiring 35% of China Unicom's stakes.{{Cite news |last=Russell |first=Jon |title=Alibaba, Tencent, Didi and other tech firms pour $12B into mobile operator China Unicom |work=TechCrunch |date=17 August 2017 |url= https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/17/alibaba-tencent-didi-china-unicom/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170828231826/https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/17/alibaba-tencent-didi-china-unicom/ |archive-date=28 August 2017}}{{Cite news |publisher= Reuters |title=Exclusive: Baidu, JD.com to join others investing $12 billion in state-owned China Unicom – sources |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-unicom-m-a-exclusive-idUSKBN1A6112 |last=Zhu |first=Julie |date=21 July 2017 |url-status=live |access-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170829003920/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-unicom-m-a-exclusive-idUSKBN1A6112 |archive-date=29 August 2017}}{{cite web |title=Unicom to Sell 35% of Shanghai Unit to 14 Investors |publisher=Caixin Global |url= https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-08-16/unicom-to-sell-35-of-shanghai-unit-to-14-investors-101131401.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816093638/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2017-08-16/unicom-to-sell-35-of-shanghai-unit-to-14-investors-101131401.html |archive-date=16 August 2018 |date=16 August 2018 }}

In October 2017, according to The Wall Street Journal, Baidu would launch self-driving buses in China in 2018.{{Cite news |last=Nicas |first=Jack |title=Baidu aims to launch self-driving bus in China next year |date=17 October 2017 |work=MarketWatch |url= https://www.marketwatch.com/story/baidu-aims-to-launch-self-driving-bus-in-china-next-year-2017-10-17 |url-status=live |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171025134119/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/baidu-aims-to-launch-self-driving-bus-in-china-next-year-2017-10-17 |archive-date=25 October 2017}}{{Cite news |last=Nicas |first=Jack |date=18 October 2017 |title=Baidu Plans Fully Self-Driving Bus in China Next Year |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/baidu-plans-fully-self-driving-bus-in-china-next-year-1508287531 |url-status=live |access-date=25 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171025111226/https://www.wsj.com/articles/baidu-plans-fully-self-driving-bus-in-china-next-year-1508287531 |archive-date=25 October 2017 }} In the same month, Baidu announced that its first annual Baidu World technology conference (Bring AI to Life) would be held and live-streamed on 16 November 2017, at China World Summit Wing and Kerry Hotel, bringing together Baidu executives, employees, partners, developers, and media to discuss the company's mission and strategy, technology breakthroughs, new product developments, and its open artificial-intelligence (AI) ecosystem.{{Cite press release |title=Baidu Announces the 2017 "Baidu World" Technology Conference |via=GlobeNewswire |publisher=Baidu, Inc. |url= https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/10/31/1160282/0/en/Baidu-Announces-the-2017-Baidu-World-Technology-Conference.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171031111753/https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/10/31/1160282/0/en/Baidu-Announces-the-2017-Baidu-World-Technology-Conference.html |date=20 October 2017 |archive-date=31 October 2017}}

China's government designated Baidu as one of its "AI champions" in 2018.{{Cite book |last=Zhang |first=Angela Huyue |title=High Wire: How China Regulates Big Tech and Governs Its Economy |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2024 |isbn=9780197682258}}{{Rp|page=281}}

In 2018, Baidu divested the "Global DU business" portion of its overseas business, which developed a series of utility apps including ES File Explorer, DU Caller, Mobojoy, Photo Wonder and DU Recorder, etc.{{cite web |date=22 May 2018 |title=Baidu spins out its global ad business to sharpen its focus on artificial intelligence |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/22/baidu-spins-out-its-global-ad-business-to-sharpen-its-focus-on-artificial-intelligence/ |access-date=22 August 2019 |website=TechCrunch}} This business now operates independently of Baidu under the name DO Global.{{cite web |title=Baidu english |url=https://www.baiduenglish.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805213157/http://baiduenglish.com/ |archive-date=5 August 2018 |access-date=22 August 2019 |website=baiduenglish.com}}

In March 2021, Baidu secured a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising $3.1 billion. This marked the largest homecoming for a U.S.-traded Chinese company in Hong Kong since JD.com's listing the previous June.

In August 2021 Baidu revealed a new Robocar concept said to be capable of Level 5 autonomous driving.{{cite news |url= https://paultan.org/2021/08/19/baidu-unveils-robocar-concept-capable-of-level-5-autonomous-driving-and-second-generation-ai-chip/ |work= Paul Tan's Automotive News |location= Shah Alam, Malaysia |first= Gerard |last= Lye |title= Baidu unveils robocar concept capable of Level 5 autonomous driving and second-generation AI chip |date= 19 August 2021 |access-date= 19 August 2021 |archive-date= 19 August 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210819105639/https://paultan.org/2021/08/19/baidu-unveils-robocar-concept-capable-of-level-5-autonomous-driving-and-second-generation-ai-chip/ |url-status= live }} It also comes with the latest second-generation AI chip that can analyse the internal and external surroundings to provide predictive suggestions to proactively serve the needs of passengers.

In June 2022, Jidu Auto, an intelligent electric vehicle company originally backed by Baidu and Geely unveiled its first concept ROBO-01 in the form of a pre-production vehicle. The ROBO-01 rides on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, a modular electric vehicle platform developed by Geely Holding.{{Cite news|title=JIDU unveils first concept production robocar|via=GlobeNewswire|publisher=prnewswire.com|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jidu-unveils-first-concept-production-robocar-301564141.html|date=8 June 2022|access-date=4 February 2023|archive-date=4 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204144317/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jidu-unveils-first-concept-production-robocar-301564141.html|url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Baidu unveiled its ChatGPT-equivalent language model Ernie Bot publicly.{{cite web |date=31 August 2023 |title=China's Baidu makes AI chatbot Ernie Bot publicly available |url=https://apnews.com/article/baidu-ai-chatbot-ernie-chatgpt-627bd09608816847907d41f44da235d9 |access-date=17 October 2013 |publisher=AP News |archive-date=31 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831115516/https://apnews.com/article/baidu-ai-chatbot-ernie-chatgpt-627bd09608816847907d41f44da235d9 |url-status=live }} In October 2023, Baidu released a newer version Ernie 4.0 chatbot.{{cite web |date=16 July 2013 |title=Baidu Claims Its AI Tech Matches ChatGPT. Alibaba Has Some Catching Up to Do. |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/baidu-stock-price-ai-ca1b4e26 |access-date=17 October 2023 |website=Barron's |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017134425/https://www.barrons.com/articles/baidu-stock-price-ai-ca1b4e26 |url-status=live }}

As of April 2024, Apollo Go, Baidu's autonomous ride-hailing service, had completed six million rides using driverless robotaxis across 11 cities. The service operates a fleet of over 400 driverless vehicles in Wuhan.{{Cite news |title=China's robotaxis are racing ahead of Tesla's |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2024/07/24/chinas-robotaxis-are-racing-ahead-of-teslas |access-date=2024-07-29 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}

On 12 January 2010, Baidu.com's DNS records in the United States were altered such that browsers to baidu.com were redirected to a website purporting to be the Iranian Cyber Army, thought to be behind the attack on Twitter during the 2009 Iranian election protests, making the proper site unusable for four hours.{{Cite news |date=12 January 2010 |title=Baidu hacked by 'Iranian cyber army' |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8453718.stm |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113052111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8453718.stm |archive-date=13 January 2010 }} Internet users were met with a page saying "This site has been attacked by Iranian Cyber Army".{{Cite news |date=12 January 2010 |title=China's top search engine Baidu hacked |work=People's Daily |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90860/6866089.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115043327/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90778/90860/6866089.html |archive-date=15 January 2010}} Chinese hackers later responded by attacking Iranian websites and leaving messages.{{Cite news |last=Branigan |first=Tania |date=12 January 2010 |title='Iranian' hackers paralyse Chinese search engine Baidu |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/jan/12/iranian-hackers-chinese-search-engine |url-status=live |access-date=14 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222160358/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2010/jan/12/iranian-hackers-chinese-search-engine |archive-date=22 December 2016}}

Baidu later launched legal action against Register.com for gross negligence after it was revealed that Register.com's technical support staff changed the email address for Baidu.com on the request of an unnamed individual, despite failing security verification procedures. Once the address had been changed, the individual was able to use the forgotten password feature to have Baidu's domain passwords sent directly to them, allowing them to accomplish the domain hijacking.{{cite web |last=Back |first=Aaron |title=Baidu Sues Register.com, Alleges Negligence in Hacking Attack |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703837004575013742840069602 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427235156/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703837004575013742840069602 |archive-date=27 April 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}}[http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162118/Baidu_Registrar_incredibly_changed_our_e_mail_for_hacker "Baidu: Registrar 'incredibly' changed our e-mail for hacker," Computer World, February 24, 2010.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127115312/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162118/Baidu_Registrar_incredibly_changed_our_e_mail_for_hacker |date=27 November 2011 }} Accessed 13 December 2010. The lawsuit was settled out of court under undisclosed terms after Register.com issued an apology.{{cite web |title=Baidu and Register.com Announce Settlement of Litigation Over Cyber-Attack |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/Baidu-and-Registercom-iw-1219920504.html |access-date=29 August 2020 |publisher=yahoo! finance}}

On 6 August 2012, the BBC reported that three employees of Baidu were arrested on suspicion that they accepted bribes. The bribes were allegedly paid for deleting posts from the forum service. Four people were fired in connection with these arrests.{{cite web |date=6 August 2012 |title=BBC News – Baidu workers arrested for 'deleting posts for money' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19149185 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003082726/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19149185 |archive-date=3 October 2018 |access-date=22 April 2013 |publisher=Bbc.co.uk}}

On 16 July 2013, Baidu announced its intention to purchase 91 Wireless from NetDragon. 91 Wireless is best known for its app store, but it has been reported that the app store faces privacy and other legal issues.{{cite web |last=Hsu |first=Alex |date=16 July 2013 |title=91 Wireless' App Store Has Piracy and Other Legal Issues |url=http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/55606959057/91-wireless-app-store-has-piracy-and-other-legal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105014542/http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/55606959057/91-wireless-app-store-has-piracy-and-other-legal |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=16 July 2013 |website=BrightWire News }} On 14 August 2013, Baidu announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Baidu (Hong Kong) Limited has signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire 91 Wireless Web-soft Limited from NetDragon Web-soft Inc.[http://ir.baidu.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=188488&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1847426&highlight= Baidu Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire NetDragon's Subsidiary 91 Wireless] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110193437/http://ir.baidu.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=188488&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1847426&highlight= |date=10 January 2016 }},Baidu Press Releases, 14 August 2013 for $1.85 billion in what was reported to be the biggest deal ever in China's IT sector.{{Cite news |last=Paul Carsten |date=14 August 2013 |title=Baidu says agrees to buy Netdragon's 91 Wireless for $1.85 billion |publisher=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baidu-91wireless-idUSBRE97D0AR20130814 |url-status=live |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924183814/http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/14/us-baidu-91wireless-idUSBRE97D0AR20130814 |archive-date=24 September 2015}}

On 16 March 2025, Baidu released two new artificial intelligence models: ERNIE 4.5, a foundation model, and ERNIE X1, a reasoning model. Baidu claimed that ERNIE X1 performs comparably to DeepSeek's R1 model at half the price.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-16 |title=China's Baidu launches two new AI models as industry competition heats up |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/16/chinas-baidu-launches-two-new-ai-models-as-industry-competition-heats-up.html |access-date=2025-03-24 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

The name Baidu ({{zh|labels=no|c=百度}}) literally means "a hundred times", or alternatively, "countless times". It is a quote from the last line of Xin Qiji's ({{zh|labels=no|c=辛弃疾}}) classical poem "Green Jade Table in The Lantern Festival" ({{zh|labels=no|c=青玉案·元夕}}) saying: "Having searched hundreds of times in the crowd, suddenly turning back, she is there in the dimmest candlelight." ({{zh|labels=no|s=众里寻他千百度, 蓦然回首, 那人却在灯火阑珊处。}}){{cite web |title=The Baidu Story |url=http://ir.baidu.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=188488&p=irol-homeprofile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061030154019/http://ir.baidu.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=188488&p=irol-homeprofile |archive-date=30 October 2006 |access-date=12 January 2010 |publisher=Baidu}}{{cite web|title=Company Overview {{!}} Baidu Inc|url=https://ir.baidu.com/company-overview/|access-date=6 March 2021|website=ir.baidu.com|language=en|archive-date=6 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306000341/https://ir.baidu.com/company-overview|url-status=live}}

• Qunar (Qunar Cayman Islands Limited), travel-booking service controlled by Baidu. As of 2013, Qunar had 31.4 million active users and raised $167 Million at its initial public offering that year.Fox Hu and Belinda Cao. Published 2 November 2013. [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-01/baidu-s-qunar-raises-167-million-as-chinese-ipo-stocks-surge.html Baidu's Qunar Rises After $167 Million IPO Exceeds Target] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109183544/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-01/baidu-s-qunar-raises-167-million-as-chinese-ipo-stocks-surge.html |date=9 January 2015 }}. Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 25 September 2014 It is listed at NASDAQ.[https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/QUNR:US Qunar Cayman Islands Ltd] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409094056/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/QUNR:US |date=9 April 2017 }} Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 25 September 2014
• In September 2023, the search engine launches its chatbot based on its generative AI model, GenAI Ernie.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2023 |title=Baidu lance son chatbot GenAI Ernie en Chine |url=https://www.zdnet.fr/actualites/baidu-lance-son-chatbot-genai-ernie-en-chine-39961080.htm |website=ZD NET |language=fr}}

Baidu's primary advertising product is called Baidu Tuiguang and is similar to Google Ads and AdSense. It is a pay per click advertising platform that allows advertisers to have their ads shown in Baidu search results pages and on other websites that are part of Baidu Union. However, Baidu's search results are also based on payments by advertisers. This has prompted criticism and skepticism among Chinese users, with People's Daily commenting in 2018 on issues regarding reliability of Baidu results. Often as many as the first two pages of search results tend to be paid advertisers.{{Cite news |date=2 May 2018 |title=Baidu should stop using paid listings |publisher=China Daily |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/02/WS5ae8f485a3105cdcf651b696.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502220539/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201805/02/WS5ae8f485a3105cdcf651b696.html |archive-date=2 May 2018}}

Baidu sells its advertising products via a network of resellers.{{cite web |last=Lawton |first=Tait |title=Baidu Pay Per Click: 7 Tips for a Successful Campaign |date=6 November 2012 |url=http://www.searchenginejournal.com/baidu-pay-per-click-7-tips-for-a-successful-campaign/51002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111005250/http://www.searchenginejournal.com/baidu-pay-per-click-7-tips-for-a-successful-campaign/51002/ |archive-date=11 November 2012 |access-date=12 November 2012 |publisher=SearchEngineJournal.com}} Baidu's web administrative tools are all in Chinese, making it difficult for non-Chinese speakers to use. In 2012, a third-party company developed a tool with an interface in English for advertising on Baidu.{{cite web |date=6 November 2012 |title=Glogou Launches New Tools To Help Businesses Build Their Online Presence (And Ad Campaigns) In China |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/06/glogou/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502211247/https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/06/glogou/ |archive-date=2 May 2018 |access-date=22 April 2013 |publisher=TechCrunch}}{{cite web |last=作者：清辰 |date=7 November 2012 |title=不懂中文没关系 Glogou帮助外企进军中国_互联网_科技时代_新浪网 |url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/csj/2012-11-07/14387777422.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111174619/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/csj/2012-11-07/14387777422.shtml |archive-date=11 November 2012 |access-date=22 April 2013 |publisher=Tech.sina.com.cn}} Advertisers on Baidu must have a registered business address either in China or in specified East Asian countries.{{cite web |date=27 April 2012 |title=Manage Baidu Ppc Registration |url=http://fr.slideshare.net/Open_Link/manage-baidu-ppc-registration?from=ss_embed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415110023/http://fr.slideshare.net/Open_Link/manage-baidu-ppc-registration?from=ss_embed |archive-date=15 April 2014 |access-date=15 July 2013}}

Baidu[http://www.statista.com/statistics/160829/annual-revenue-of-baidu-since-2007/ Statistics on Baidu's Annual Revenue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424123208/http://www.statista.com/statistics/160829/annual-revenue-of-baidu-since-2007/ |date=24 April 2013 }}, Baidu. March 2013. competes with Sogou, Google Search, 360 Search (www.so.com), Yahoo! China, Microsoft's Bing and MSN Messenger, Sina, NetEase's Youdao and PaiPai, Alibaba's Taobao, TOM Online, DuckDuckGo, and EachNet.

Baidu is the most used search engine in China, controlling 76.05 percent of China's market share. The number of Internet users in China had reached 705 million by the end of 2015, according to a report by the internetlivestats.com.{{cite web |title=China Internet Users |url=http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430192940/http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/china/ |archive-date=30 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016}}

In an August 2010 Wall Street Journal article,{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Owen |date=3 August 2010 |title=Baidu's CEO Pursues Long-Term Growth |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703999304575399162122796630?KEYWORDS=baidu |url-status=live |access-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225070438/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703999304575399162122796630?KEYWORDS=baidu |archive-date=25 December 2017}} Baidu played down its benefit from Google's having moved its China search service to Hong Kong, but Baidu's share of revenue in China's search-advertising market grew six percentage points in the second quarter to 70%, according to Beijing-based research firm Analysys International.

It is also evident that Baidu is attempting to enter the Internet social network market. {{As of|2011}}, it is discussing the possibility of working with Facebook, which would lead to a Chinese version of the international social network, managed by Baidu.[http://www.thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=255 传百度与Facebook签合作协议 – Baidu signed a cooperation agreement with Facebook] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323065324/http://www.thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=255 |date=23 March 2012 }}, [http://www.thinkingchinese.com/ ThinkingChinese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426031903/http://thinkingchinese.com/ |date=26 April 2011 }}, 14 April 2011 This plan, if executed, would face off Baidu with competition from the three popular Chinese social networks Qzone, Renren{{cite web |title=人人网，中国领先的实名制SNS社交网络。加入人人网，找到老同学，结识新朋友。 |url=http://www.renren.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107073459/http://renren.com/ |archive-date=7 November 2019 |access-date=6 December 2019}} and Kaixin001{{cite web|url=http://www.kaixin001.com/|title=开心网|website=www.kaixin001.com|access-date=7 January 2022|archive-date=16 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316215435/http://www.kaixin001.com/|url-status=dead}} as well as induce rivalry with instant-messaging giant, Tencent QQ.[http://www.thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=270 Baidu and QQ aren't willing to remain outside the Chinese Social Network market] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323065342/http://www.thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=270 |date=23 March 2012 }}, [http://www.thinkingchinese.com/ ThinkingChinese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426031903/http://thinkingchinese.com/ |date=26 April 2011 }}, April 2011

On 22 February 2012, Hudong submitted a complaint to the State Administration for Industry and Commerce asking for a review of the behavior of Baidu, accusing it of being monopolistic.Yang, Yang (杨阳 Yáng Yáng). Translated by Guo Wei. "[http://www.eeo.com.cn/ens/Industry/2011/03/04/195125.shtml China's "Wikipedia" Submits Complaint about Baidu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116102145/http://www.eeo.com.cn/ens/Industry/2011/03/04/195125.shtml |date=16 January 2013 }}." () The Economic Observer. 4 March 2011. Issue 508, Corporation, Page 28. Retrieved on 26 October 2012. Original article: "[http://finance.ifeng.com/news/corporate/20110225/3503345.shtml 百度：我是大哥 我不叫度娘] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116102155/http://finance.ifeng.com/news/corporate/20110225/3503345.shtml |date=January 16, 2013 }}." Febinframe.php Archive]

By August 2014, Baidu's search market share in China dropped to 56.3%, where Qihoo 360, its closest competitor who has rebranded its search engine as so.com, has increased its market share to 29.0%, according to report from CNZZ.com.{{cite web |last=Research |first=China Stock |date=1 September 2014 |title=China Search Engine Market Share – August 2014 |work=Seeking Alpha |url=http://seekingalpha.com/article/2463495-china-search-engine-market-share-august-2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203120410/http://seekingalpha.com/article/2463495-china-search-engine-market-share-august-2014 |archive-date=3 December 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}}

In February 2015, Baidu was alleged to have used anticompetitive tactics in Brazil against the Brazilian online security firm PSafe and Qihoo 360 (the largest investor of PSafe).{{cite web |last=Ruvolo |first=Julie |title=Brazil Becomes A New Front In The Battle Between Baidu And Qihoo |date=March 2015 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/01/brazil-becomes-a-new-front-in-the-battle-between-baidu-and-qihoo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924082747/https://techcrunch.com/2015/03/01/brazil-becomes-a-new-front-in-the-battle-between-baidu-and-qihoo/ |archive-date=24 September 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}}{{cite web |date=14 April 2015 |title=Baidu's Alleged Anticompetitive Tactics in Brazil |url=http://www.thebrazillawblog.com/baidus-alleged-anticompetitive-tactics-in-brazil/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091456/http://www.thebrazillawblog.com/baidus-alleged-anticompetitive-tactics-in-brazil/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}}

In an ongoing competition in AI natural language processing called General Language Understanding Evaluation, otherwise known as GLUE, Baidu took a lead over Microsoft and Google in December 2019.{{Cite web |title=Baidu has a new trick for teaching AI the meaning of language |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/26/131372/ai-baidu-ernie-google-bert-natural-language-glue/ |access-date=23 September 2023 |website=MIT Technology Review |language=en |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922122900/https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/12/26/131372/ai-baidu-ernie-google-bert-natural-language-glue/ |url-status=live }}

Baidu has started to invest in deep learning research and is integrating new deep learning technology into some of its apps and products, including Phoenix Nest. Phoenix Nest is Baidu's ad-bidding platform.{{cite web |last=Hsu |first=Alex |date=15 July 2013 |title=Baidu Using Deep-Learning Technology to Boost Phoenix Nest Revenue |url=http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/55521356692/baidu-using-deep-learning-technology-to-boost-phoenix |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105020459/http://bw-original-reporting.tumblr.com/post/55521356692/baidu-using-deep-learning-technology-to-boost-phoenix |archive-date=5 November 2013 |access-date=15 July 2013 |website=BrightWire News }}

In April 2012 Baidu JDC long live applied for a patent for its "DNA copyright recognition" technology. This technology automatically scans files that are uploaded by Internet users, and recognizes and filters out content that may violate copyright law. This allows Baidu to offer an infringement-free platform.{{cite web |title=Marvel Contest of Champions Hack Tool |url=http://hack4mobile.com/marvel-contest-champions-cheats-tool/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218054738/http://hack4mobile.com/marvel-contest-champions-cheats-tool/ |archive-date=18 February 2015 |website=hack4mobile.com}}{{cite web |title=Baidu Applies for DNA Copyright Recognition Technology Patent |url=http://www.brightwire.com/news/203281-baidu-applies-for-dna-copyright-recognition-technology-patent |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619200937/http://www.brightwire.com/news/203281-baidu-applies-for-dna-copyright-recognition-technology-patent |archive-date=19 June 2012 |access-date=30 April 2012 |publisher=BrightWire }}

In April 2022, Baidu announced they gained permits from China to provide the first driverless taxis. The company aim to provide driverless ride-hailing services to the public and have 10 autonomous cars set to begin offering rides to passengers within a 23-square-mile area in suburban begin beginning 28 April 2022.{{cite journal|date=28 April 2022|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2022-04-28/china-grants-first-driverless-taxi-permits-to-baidu-pony-ai|title=China Grants First Driverless Taxi Permits to Baidu, Pony.ai|journal=U.S. News|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428141105/https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2022-04-28/china-grants-first-driverless-taxi-permits-to-baidu-pony-ai|url-status=live}}

In July 2022, Baidu unveiled the Apollo RT6, a driverless vehicle that is planned to join Baidu's driverless fleet in 2023.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62237612 |title=Baidu unveils new self-driving taxi in China |date=21 July 2022 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=21 July 2022 |archive-date=21 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721021025/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-62237612 |url-status=live }}

According to the China Digital Times, Baidu has a long history of being the most active and restrictive online censor in the search arena. Documents leaked in April 2009 from an employee in Baidu's internal monitoring and censorship department show a long list of blocked websites and censored topics on Baidu search.[http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked/ Baidu's Internal Monitoring and Censorship Document Leaked (1)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214110403/http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked/ |date=14 February 2012 }}, Xiao Qiang, China Digital Times, 30 April 2009
[http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked-2/ Baidu's Internal Monitoring and Censorship Document Leaked (2)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223052820/http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked-2/ |date=23 February 2012 }}
[http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked-3/ Baidu's Internal Monitoring and Censorship Document Leaked (3)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222060619/http://chinadigitaltimes.net/2009/04/baidus-internal-monitoring-and-censorship-document-leaked-3/ |date=22 February 2012 }}

In May 2011, activists sued Baidu in the United States for violating the U.S. Constitution by the censorship it conducts in accord with the demand of the Chinese government.Jonathan Stempel, "[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/19/china-baidu-sued-internet-censorship_n_864006.html China, Baidu Sued In U.S. For Internet Censorship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522215127/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/19/china-baidu-sued-internet-censorship_n_864006.html |date=May 22, 2011 }}", Reuters, 19 May 2011. A U.S. judge has ruled{{cite web |title=Zhang et al v. Baidu.Com Inc. et al |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/214981183/Zhang-et-al-v-Baidu-Com-Inc-et-al |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606132750/https://www.scribd.com/doc/214981183/Zhang-et-al-v-Baidu-Com-Inc-et-al |archive-date=6 June 2016 |access-date=29 August 2016}} that the Chinese search engine Baidu has the right to block works from its query results under freedom of speech rights, dismissing a lawsuit that sought to punish the company.{{cite web |title=Can China's Baidu search engine censor results in America? Sure, says a US court |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-14/can-chinas-baidu-search-engine-censor-results-america-sure-says-us-court |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=The World from PRX |date=30 July 2016 |language=en |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726194340/https://www.pri.org/stories/2014-04-14/can-chinas-baidu-search-engine-censor-results-america-sure-says-us-court |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=28 March 2014 |title=US judge rules Baidu's censorship is protected as free speech |url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2175632/us-judge-rules-baidu--39-s-censorship-is-protected-as-free-speech.html |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Network World |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125232103/https://www.networkworld.com/article/2175632/us-judge-rules-baidu--39-s-censorship-is-protected-as-free-speech.html |url-status=live }}

In 2017, Baidu began coordinating with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security as well as 372 Internet police departments to detect information related to "anti-government rumors" and then flooding "Baidu-linked web sites, news sites and devices with alerts dispelling misinformation."{{cite web |title=China's Provinces at Forefront of Online Censorship Enforcement |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_chinas-provinces-forefront-online-censorship-enforcement/6188573.html |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Voice of America |date=May 2020 |language=en |archive-date=9 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009042859/https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/chinas-provinces-forefront-online-censorship-enforcement |url-status=live }} This was done using natural language processing, big data and artificial intelligence.

As part of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese regulators instructed Baidu, along with other Internet companies, to "conduct special supervision" on news and information related to the disease.{{cite web |title=Critics Say China Has Suppressed And Censored Information In Coronavirus Outbreak |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/08/803766743/critics-say-china-has-suppressed-and-censored-information-in-coronavirus-outbrea |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=NPR.org |language=en |archive-date=9 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409085730/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/08/803766743/critics-say-china-has-suppressed-and-censored-information-in-coronavirus-outbrea |url-status=live }}

In November 2022, Sustainalytics downgraded Baidu to "non-compliant" with the United Nations Global Compact principles due to complicity with censorship.{{Cite news |date=7 November 2022 |title=Tencent, Baidu, Weibo downgraded by Morningstar ESG unit over censorship |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/china-esg-downgrade-idUSL4N32320Q |access-date=17 November 2022 |archive-date=17 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117182656/https://www.reuters.com/article/china-esg-downgrade-idUSL4N32320Q |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Criticisms of Baidu}}

{{Main|Death of Wei Zexi}}

In 2016, Baidu's P4P search results reportedly contributed to the death of a student who tried an experimental cancer therapy he found online. The 21-year-old college student was named Wèi Zéxī (魏则西), who studied in Xidian University. Wei was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. He found the Second Hospital of the Beijing Armed Police Corps (武警北京市总队第二医院) through the search engine Baidu, on which the hospital had been promoting itself.{{cite web |last=Huang |first=Zheping |title=Baidu, China's version of Google, is "evil," a growing number of users say |url=https://qz.com/674030/baidu-chinas-version-of-google-is-evil-a-growing-number-of-users-say/ |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Quartz |date=2 May 2016 |language=en |archive-date=10 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010092146/https://qz.com/674030/baidu-chinas-version-of-google-is-evil-a-growing-number-of-users-say/ |url-status=live }} The treatment proved unsuccessful and Wèi died in April 2016.

After Wei's family spent around 200,000 yuan (around US$31,150) for treatment in the hospital, Wei Zexi died on 12 April 2016. The incident triggered massive online discussions after Wei's death.{{cite web |year=2016 |title=Commentary: Death of college student raises questions on Baidu's ethics |url=http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0502/c90000-9052118.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503124350/http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0502/c90000-9052118.html |archive-date=3 May 2016 |access-date=2 May 2016 |website=People's Daily}} On 2 May 2016, Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the top watchdog for China's Internet space, dispatched a team of investigators to Baidu.{{cite news |year=2016 |title=China Focus: Investigation into Baidu after student death |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/02/c_135328902.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504001554/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-05/02/c_135328902.htm |archive-date=4 May 2016 |access-date=2 May 2016 |agency=Xinhua News Agency}} The case is still ongoing. One report claimed medical advertising makes up for 30% of Baidu's ad revenue, much of which comes from for-profit hospitals that belong to the "Putian Network", a collection of hospitals across the country founded by medical entrepreneurs associated with the Putian region of Fujian province.{{cite web |year=2016 |title=Baidu, China's version of Google, is 'evil,' a growing number of users say |url=http://qz.com/674030/baidu-chinas-version-of-google-is-evil-a-growing-number-of-users-say/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503115528/http://qz.com/674030/baidu-chinas-version-of-google-is-evil-a-growing-number-of-users-say/ |archive-date=3 May 2016 |access-date=3 May 2016 |website=Quartz}} The investigation led Chinese regulators to impose several restrictions on Baidu, including adding disclaimers to promotional content and establishing channels for complaints about Baidu services.{{Cite news |title=China Orders Baidu to Revamp Advertising Results in Online Searches |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-orders-baidu-to-revamp-advertising-results-in-online-searches-1462798762 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623092806/https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-orders-baidu-to-revamp-advertising-results-in-online-searches-1462798762 |archive-date=23 June 2017 |access-date=5 March 2017 |website=The Wall Street Journal|date=10 May 2016 }} In addition, Baidu's search function now largely directs users to contents published on platforms under Baidu's control, leading Chinese media scholar Fang Kecheng to proclaim that "Search engine Baidu is dead".{{cite web |last=Huang |first=Echo |title=An obituary for Baidu argues China's vast internet has no search engine |url=https://qz.com/1530831/an-obituary-for-baidu-argues-chinas-vast-internet-has-no-search-engine/ |access-date=7 October 2020 |website=Quartz |date=24 January 2019 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005112155/https://qz.com/1530831/an-obituary-for-baidu-argues-chinas-vast-internet-has-no-search-engine/ |url-status=live }}

Baidu sold the hemophilia online community, one of the communities of Tieba, to unqualified hospitals. In January 2016, Baidu announced that it will stop selling all of its illness-related Tieba.{{Cite news |last=Meng |first=Jing |date=12 January 2016 |title=Baidu to halt commercialization of Tieba health forums |work=chinadaily.com.cn |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-01/12/content_23052646.htm |url-status=live |access-date=28 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114103504/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-01/12/content_23052646.htm |archive-date=14 January 2016}} On 12 January, Baidu officially announced to the public that all Baidu Tieba for all types of diseases will completely stop commercial cooperation and will only be open to authoritative public welfare organizations. In response to Baidu's decision, Lin Jinlong, president of the Hunan Medical and Health Industry Association, said that private hospitals have entered a period of industry transformation and upgrading, and are neither dependent on posting bar ads nor counting on competitive rankings anymore, so Baidu's decision will not have a negative impact on the industry.{{cite web |last1=刘巍 |last2=傅明 |title=百度迷途：藏在财报里的卖贴吧真相 |trans-title=Baidu Lost Its Way: The Fact of Selling Tieba Hidden in Financial Statements |url=http://www.time-weekly.com/wap-article/32395 |access-date=29 November 2021 |website=www.time-weekly.com |archive-date=29 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129164950/http://www.time-weekly.com/wap-article/32395 |url-status=dead }}

On 20 April 2019, it was reported that several applications for Android devices developed by the subsidiary company, DO Global (formerly DU Group), were surreptitiously running revenue enhancing background programs on user devices since at least 2016. These programs, part of six known applications developed by the company, and downloaded hundreds of millions times, were clicking on internet ads – even when the devices were idle, and unbeknownst to end users, to increase revenue generated by "clicks".[https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-play-store-ad-fraud-du-group-baidu Google Play Store Ad Fraud DU Group[sic] at Baidu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420211632/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-play-store-ad-fraud-du-group-baidu |date=20 April 2019 }}; Kothe, Ben; 20 April 2019; Article @ BuzzFeed News; text= Following a BuzzFeed News investigation, Google removed six apps from the Play store that belonged to a major Chinese developer.; by-line date: 17 April 2019; by-line reporters: Silverman, Craig– & –Singer-Vine, Jeremy; Retrieved 20 April 2019 Just one of the apps, all of which were available on Google Play Store, had been downloaded 50 million times alone and carried a user rating of 4.5 stars by tens of thousands.

Google banned DO Global and more than 100 of its apps from the Google Play Store on 26 April 2019.{{cite web |last=Dellinger |first=AJ |date=26 April 2019 |title=Google bans developer with half a billion app downloads from Play Store |url=https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/26/google-bans-app-developer-do-global-play-store-ad-fraud/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427015740/https://www.engadget.com/2019/04/26/google-bans-app-developer-do-global-play-store-ad-fraud/ |archive-date=27 April 2019 |access-date=27 April 2019 |website=Engadget}}{{cite web |date=29 April 2019 |title=Google Play Store Bans Baidu Subsidiary For Ad Fraud, Abuse of Permissions |url=https://app.beebom.com/google-play-store-bans-baidu-subsidiary-ad-fraud-abuse-permissions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430072914/https://app.beebom.com/google-play-store-bans-baidu-subsidiary-ad-fraud-abuse-permissions/ |archive-date=30 April 2019 |access-date=30 April 2019 |website=Beebom |language=en-US}} DO Global was also banned from Google's AdMob Network. Apps from another developer, ES Global, including the ES File Explorer, that were owned by DO Global were banned from the Play Store and the account was suspended.{{cite web |last=Brett |date=30 April 2019 |title=ES File Explorer Removed From Google Play Store |url=https://troypoint.com/es-file-explorer-removed-from-google-play-store/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503233625/https://troypoint.com/es-file-explorer-removed-from-google-play-store/ |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Do It Yourself Tech Projects for Home & Small Business |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=6 Jun 2024 |title=ES File Explorer Removed From Google Play Store |url=https://www.iptvuk.org/2024/06/es-file-explorer-removed-from-google.html |language=en-US}}{{cite web |date=29 April 2019 |title=QuickPic is back on Google Play Store while ES File Explorer disappears |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/quickpic-back-google-play-es-file-explorer-disappears/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503233616/https://www.xda-developers.com/quickpic-back-google-play-es-file-explorer-disappears/ |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=xda-developers |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=WIRED |date=29 April 2019 |title=Monday briefing: England and Wales police demand phones from rape victims |magazine=Wired UK |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-awake-290419 |url-status=live |access-date=3 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503233616/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/wired-awake-290419 |archive-date=3 May 2019 |issn=1357-0978}}{{cite web |last=McKay |first=Tom |title=Google Is Giving the Boot to a Major Play Store Developer With More Than 600 Million Installs |url=https://gizmodo.com/google-is-giving-the-boot-to-a-major-play-store-develop-1834364322 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503233616/https://gizmodo.com/google-is-giving-the-boot-to-a-major-play-store-develop-1834364322 |archive-date=3 May 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=Gizmodo |date=28 April 2019 |language=en-US}}{{cite web |title=Exclusive: Google Is Banning A Play Store Developer With More Than Half A Billion App Installs |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-ban-play-store-do-global-baidu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428155916/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-ban-play-store-do-global-baidu |archive-date=28 April 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=BuzzFeed News |date=26 April 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Popular Android Apps From A Major Chinese Developer Were Caught Committing Ad Fraud |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-play-store-ad-fraud-du-group-baidu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420211632/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/google-play-store-ad-fraud-du-group-baidu |archive-date=20 April 2019 |access-date=3 May 2019 |website=BuzzFeed News |date=17 April 2019 |language=en}}

In August 2020, following the 2020 China–India skirmishes, Baidu was one of several Chinese websites that were banned or blocked in India for national security reasons.{{Cite news |last=Billman |first=Savannah |date=5 August 2020 |title=India widens China app ban to Baidu and Weibo |work=TechNode |url=https://technode.com/2020/08/05/india-widens-china-app-ban-to-baidu-and-weibo/ |access-date=5 August 2020 |archive-date=5 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805131123/https://technode.com/2020/08/05/india-widens-china-app-ban-to-baidu-and-weibo/ |url-status=live }}

In May 2024, Baidu's former vice president and head of communications {{ill|Qu Jing|zh|璩靜}} ({{zh|c=璩静}}) sparked major backlashes across the Chinese social media for endorsing toxic workplace culture, where, according to a Douyin video, she has asked a coworker to be on a 50-day business trip during the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |last=Gan |first=Nectar |date=2024-05-09 |title=Chinese tech exec's fiery endorsement of toxic workplace culture sparks backlash — and costs her job {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/09/tech/china-qu-jing-baidu-pr-backlash-hnk-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=CNN |language=en}} The report has aroused further discussions amongst Chinese netizens regarding Baidu's corporate governance and internal culture. Qu openly apologized after the incident and has allegedly lost her job. Baidu’s stock price fell 2.17% in Hong Kong following the incident.{{Cite news |last=Sheffield |first=Hazel |date=2024-05-09 |title=Chinese PR boss says sorry after glorifying work-till-you-drop culture |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/may/09/chinese-pr-boss-says-sorry-after-glorifying-work-till-you-drop-culture |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |date=2024-05-09 |title=PR executive at Chinese tech firm Baidu apologizes for comments seen as glorifying overwork |url=https://apnews.com/article/china-baidu-overwork-996-qujing-2be8518c4842630e9f7441248b8fec53 |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=AP News |language=en |first1=Zen |last1=Soo}}

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{{reflist}}

• Lee, Melanie (19 January 2010). [https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTOE60H01S20100120 "NEWSMAKER-Baidu founder rules China's Web with pragmatism"]. Reuters.
• Udeze, Chuka (26 March 2012). [https://web.archive.org/web/20160309203745/http://techtalkafrica.com/apple-plans-to-integrate-baidu-search-on-ios-devices.html "Baidu Search to be Integrated by Apple on iOS Devices"].
• Kohout, Martin (30 October 2014). [http://freebit.cz/spyware-baidu-se-stava-nocni-murou-telefonu-xperia/ "Spyware Baidu to Sony Xperia smartphones"]. FreeBit.cz.

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