YouTube is blocked in China, so many creators ignore this market entirely. That means missing out on millions of potential views and revenue. Your videos could make you multiple times more by reaching Chinese platforms.
In 2025, China has 1.08 billion social media user identities, which accounts for 76.5 percent of the total population. The number of internet users has grown by 20 million in just the past year. The audience is massive, and they are actively consuming content.
A Billion-Viewer Market That Is Hungry for Global Content
China’s internet ecosystem functions in a near-closed loop, which means global content does not naturally reach Chinese audiences. But demand is there. Creators who have successfully expanded to Chinese platforms are seeing rapid growth.
The Q’s Video Expansion: Bringing DIY Experiments to China
When The Q, a popular DIY and experiments channel with 13.3 million YouTube subscribers, teamed up with AIR Media-Tech to expand to Bilibili and Xigua Video in early 2021, things took off fast. In just five months, their growing success on Bilibili led to an exclusive contract offer. Views jumped from 1.35 million in September 2021 to 2.41 million by January 2022, and the creator started earning extra bonuses. This move proved that hands-on, engaging content has massive potential in China.
Leina and Lina’s Success: Breaking into China’s Streaming Market
For Leina and Lina, a Kids & Teens channel with just over 100K subscribers, expansion came in February 2024 with AIR Media-Tech’s support, bringing their content to iQiyi and Youku. They quickly gained traction, pulling in 600-700 “heats” per video – an impressive result for their niche. By March, their reach extended further to platforms like Skyworth, Huawei, and Xiaomi, significantly boosting their audience.
Both cases show how, with AIR Media-Tech’s expertise in video distribution, YouTube creators can break into the Chinese market, expand their reach, and unlock new monetization opportunities.
Want to start distributing your videos in China? Let’s make it happen. Get in touch with AIR Media-Tech today and tap into an audience of over 1 billion viewers.
Monetization That Goes Beyond YouTube’s Limits
Chinese platforms are not just about ad revenue. They provide multiple revenue streams that can far exceed YouTube’s ad payouts. From direct fan tipping to built-in e-commerce, brand sponsorships, and premium content subscriptions, the opportunities are vast. Some YouTubers report making between thirty and fifty percent of their total revenue from China alone after expanding to these platforms.
Your Content Works Here With the Right Strategy
Do not assume your videos will not perform in China just because they were made for YouTube. The key is localization. That means adapting metadata, dubbing or subtitling, and understanding platform-specific algorithms.
Getting onto these platforms is not as simple as clicking upload. China has strict regulations, and foreign creators face challenges when setting up accounts, handling translations, and ensuring compliance.
AIR Video Distribution service can help you get on Chinese platforms. We handle translations, localization, dubbing, compliance, distribution and monetization across Tencent, Youku, iQIYI, and dozens of other platforms. Our experts make sure your content is optimized for maximum reach and revenue.
The Powerhouses: China’s Biggest Video Platforms
Now, let’s break down the top twenty Chinese video platforms and how you can use them to scale your success beyond YouTube.
Tencent Video – The Giant of China’s Streaming Scene
Users: 900M+
Key Features: Ad-supported content, subscription-based premium content, strong monetization opportunities, and exclusive contracts with top creators.
Best For: Long-form videos, documentaries, entertainment, and educational content.
Tencent Video is deeply integrated into the Tencent ecosystem, linking with WeChat and QQ for additional audience reach. It also offers interactive features such as VR content and AI-powered recommendations. As one of the top, Tencent video platform remains a major alternative to YouTube in China.
Youku – China’s YouTube Alternative
Users: 251M+
Key Features: User-generated content, professional content, Alibaba-backed ecosystem, integration with e-commerce.
Best For: Vlogs, tutorials, travel content, tech reviews, and product placements.
Youku’s close association with Alibaba allows creators to link their content directly to Taobao and Tmall stores, making it a valuable platform for influencers engaged in product promotions. It is a primary choice for YouTube video distribution in China.
iQIYI – The “Netflix of China” with Room for Creators
Users: 465M+
Key Features: Premium and free content sections, AI-driven recommendations, and original productions.
Best For: Film, TV series, entertainment, and documentary content.
iQIYI has a robust AI-driven content discovery engine, making it an attractive platform for serialized content and long-term engagement.
Bilibili – The Go-To Platform for Young Audiences
Users: 336M+
Key Features: Community-driven content, anime and gaming culture, bullet-comment system.
Best For: Gaming, anime, tutorials, tech, and creative storytelling.
Bilibili has a highly engaged Gen Z audience, and its monetization model includes tipping, membership programs, and brand sponsorships. As a major video distribution platform, it allows deep interaction through bullet comments.
Douyin – China’s Original TikTok, Built for Monetization
Users: 750M+
Key Features: In-app shopping, interactive engagement, powerful AI-driven content discovery.
Best For: Short-form videos, viral trends, product marketing, and influencer-driven content. Douyin features integrated storefronts and influencer collaborations, allowing creators to generate revenue from e-commerce sales directly through their content. It dominates video sharing in China.
Short-Form & Livestreaming Platforms
Kuaishou – Authentic, Community-Driven Short Videos
Users: 504M+
Key Features: Creator-friendly algorithm, monetization through tips and e-commerce, localized content.
Best For: Everyday life vlogs, DIY tutorials, behind-the-scenes content.
Kuaishou has a strong rural user base, providing a unique market for content creators targeting broader, grassroots audiences.
Xiaohongshu (RED) – The Social Media & E-Commerce Hybrid
Users: 163M+
Key Features: Influencer-driven recommendations, integrated shopping, and visual discovery.
Best For: Beauty, fashion, travel, fitness, and product reviews.
RED is heavily used for influencer marketing, and its e-commerce features allow brands and creators to directly sell products within the app.
Huya – China’s Twitch for Gamers
Users: 8.36M+
Key Features: Interactive gaming livestreams, esports tournaments, tipping systems.
Best For: Gaming livestreams, esports commentary, and tutorials.
Huya offers revenue streams through virtual gifts and ad placements, making it lucrative for high-engagement gaming content.
DouYu – Another Streaming Giant for Gamers
Users: 5.17M+
Key Features: Game-focused live streaming, esports partnerships, real-time tipping.
Best For: Live gaming, walkthroughs, and esports content.
DouYu provides direct partnerships with gaming publishers, offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities.
YiZhiBo – A Livestreaming Platform for Influencers
Users: 10M+
Key Features: Live broadcasting, Weibo integration, monetization via gifts and sponsorships.
Best For: Influencer live streams, interactive Q&A sessions.
YiZhiBo is embedded in Weibo, making it an ideal choice for influencers who already have a Weibo audience. YiZhiBo live streaming is one of the most interactive ways to engage with viewers in China.
Other Major Chinese Video Platforms
AcFun – The Alternative to Bilibili for ACG Fans
Users: 50M+
Key Features: Anime, comics, and gaming-focused content, interactive community, and real-time comments.
Best For: Animation, gaming, and tech content.
AcFun is one of the earliest video platforms in China, known for its niche focus on ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) culture. It offers strong interaction features like real-time bullet comments, similar to Bilibili.
Sina Weibo – China’s Twitter with Video Integration
Users: 500M+
Key Features: Microblogging, short video sharing, influencer marketing.
Sina Weibo allows for video distribution via embedded content, making it an excellent platform for creators looking to share snippets and direct traffic to larger platforms.
Tudou – One of China’s First Video Platforms
Users: 100M+
Key Features: User-generated content, long-form videos, original programming.
Best For: Vlogs, movies, and creative storytelling.
Tudou was one of the first video-sharing sites in China and, despite Youku acquiring it, remains a relevant platform for alternative video content.
PPTV – A Leader in Sports and Entertainment Streaming
Users: 80M+
Key Features: Live sports, TV series, and premium content.
Best For: Sports commentary, entertainment, and live broadcasts.
PPTV is well known for its sports streaming deals, making it an ideal platform for sports creators and analysts.
Baidu Tieba – Forum-Based Video Sharing Platform
Users: 300M+
Key Features: Community discussions, user-generated videos, niche forums.
Best For: Educational content, how-to videos, and niche topic discussions.
Baidu Tieba operates as a social forum with embedded video capabilities, making it a strong platform for informational and tutorial-based content.
LeTV – Premium Streaming & Original Content Hub
Users: 50M+
Key Features: High-quality licensed and original content, OTT services.
Best For: High-production video series, professional content creators.
LeTV is known for its premium streaming content, making it a great distribution channel for documentary-style content and professional video series.
Miaopai – A Short-Video Giant Backed by Weibo
Users: 100M+
Key Features: Short-video creation, real-time effects, influencer collaborations.
Best For: Viral content, social media-friendly videos, influencer-driven campaigns.
Owned by the same company as Sina Weibo, Miaopai is often used for short-form videos that gain traction through social shares.
Meipai – China’s Beauty & Fashion Video Platform
Users: 80M+
Key Features: Beauty and fashion-focused content, influencer marketing, social sharing.
Best For: Makeup tutorials, fashion vlogs, lifestyle content.
Meipai specializes in beauty and lifestyle content, making it a top choice for creators in these niches.
Xigua Video – A Smart-Content Platform Powered by AI
Users: 200M+
Key Features: AI-driven content recommendations, a mix of short and long videos.
Best For: News, documentaries, tech content.
Xigua Video is an emerging platform backed by ByteDance (owner of Douyin), offering an intelligent content distribution system.
Wasu TV – A Growing OTT Platform with a Broad Reach
Users: 60M+
Key Features: Over-the-top (OTT) content, licensed movies, and series.
Best For: Drama series, documentaries, and news content.
Wasu TV is an OTT platform growing in popularity, providing an opportunity for long-form content distribution.
Breaking Into China
Distributing content in China isn’t simple. Expanding to China isn’t about quick wins – it’s about long-term growth, audience expansion, and new revenue streams. Platforms require licensing, translation, localization, dubbing and compliance with content regulations. But those who do it right are seeing results that go beyond what’s possible on YouTube alone.
AIR Media-Tech handles everything from translating and dubbing to distributing and monetizing your content across all major platforms. Our expertise ensures your content will thrive in China.
Want to start distributing your videos in China? Contact AIR Media-Tech and reach millions of new viewers today!
