AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT Search and PerplexityAI are making waves internationally, offering smarter, more conversational results. But for users in China, these platforms are out of reach. Enter Baidu AI Search Exploration (百度搜索AI探索版, Bǎidù Sōusuǒ AI Tànsuǒ Bǎn)—a new, local alternative that fills the gap.
Launched on November 11, 2024, Baidu’s latest product uses deep learning and semantic analysis to give more accurate, context-aware answers. Unlike the traditional Baidu search, which remains available, the AI Search Exploration offers a distinct, more intelligent search experience. With its deep understanding of Chinese language and culture, and backed by Baidu’s vast infrastructure, it promises to change how users search online in China.
AI Exploration Overview
Baidu’s AI Search Exploration is currently available only to logged-in users and isn’t yet optimized for mobile devices, so it’s best suited for desktop use at the moment. This product covers multiple areas, including “problem solving”, “learning and creation”, “thematic research”, “knowledge Q&A”, “topic exploration”, and “decision-making assistance”, all aimed at delivering structured, comprehensive information through AI.
On the homepage, you’ll find a variety of examples for informational queries like “Appreciation of Dream of Red Mansions” (“《红楼梦》赏析”), “How to cultivate children’s high emotional intelligence” (“如何培养孩子高情商”), or “Best routes for a free travel tour” (“先旅游自由行路线”), which illustrate the AI’s focus on providing information-based search results.
Unique Features of the Baidu AI Search Results Page
Using Baidu Search AI Exploration is a clear departure from the traditional Baidu search experience. While the old search results page lists multiple links to relevant web pages, leaving users to click through to find the information they need, the AI Search Exploration directly provides structured answers using AI technology, along with relevant reference sources. The most noticeable difference is that there are no traditional web links in the search results. Instead, AI-generated concise answers are displayed, along with sources for those answers. This method simplifies the information-gathering process, making search results clearer and more intuitive.
For example, when searching for an informational query like “Baidu Search AI Exploration version launch time?”, the results show no links to other pages—only a direct answer, reference sources, and an outline of related, in-depth content derived from the question. These additional topics act as new questions, and clicking on them generates more detailed answers, along with their sources. This design not only helps users quickly find comprehensive answers, but also encourages deeper exploration of related topics.
Information sources and content coverage
The content sources Information Sources and Content Coverage
Baidu Search AI Exploration draws from a variety of rich content sources, including news sites, Baidu Baike, Baidu Wenku, Baijiahao, and more. These sources provide the data that powers the AI, allowing it to quickly access and present relevant information.
By tapping into these diverse pages, the AI can deliver more comprehensive and accurate answers.
How to Become a Source of Baidu AI Search
While it’s unlikely that Baidu will include sources outside of Baike (百度百科), Baijiahao (百家号), and Wenku (百度文库) in its AI Search, there are strategies to increase your chances:
- Create Trustworthy, High-Ranking Pages: Build high-ranking informational pages on your website that are referenced by Baike, Baijiahao, and Wenku. Additionally, ensure these pages receive links from reputable digital PR sites, as non-search traffic can improve your pages’ trustworthiness in the eyes of Baidu’s AI.
- Position Your Brand Strategically: Have your brand featured in relevant positions on Baike, Baijiahao, and Wenku. These services are key sources for Baidu’s AI-generated answers, and appearing here increases the likelihood that your content will be included.
References and Derivative Content
Unlike traditional searches, AI Search Exploration enhances its answers with embedded reference links, rather than displaying them directly in the search results. When users click on the “reference source” link, they’re taken straight to the original content page. This feature not only allows users to verify the AI-generated information, but also drives new traffic to websites and content creators. In the future, site managers and content creators might notice their pages appearing in the traffic sources of Google Analytics (GA4), marked as “think.baidu.com/referral.” This indicates that their content has been used as a reference by the AI Exploration Edition.
Tracking Traffic from Baidu AI Search in Analytics
To track traffic from Baidu’s new AI Search in platforms like GA4:
- In GA4 or other analytics platforms, you can set up custom tracking for this referral traffic by creating filters that identify and report on sources from “think.baidu.com/referral.”
- Look for referral traffic with the source think.baidu.com. When your content is used as a reference in AI answers, it will be tagged with this referral.
Conclusion on Baidu’s AI Search Exploration
Baidu Search AI Exploration is a groundbreaking tool that redefines the traditional search experience. By leveraging AI technology, it offers more efficient and intelligent ways to retrieve information. With its clear, concise answers and deep content exploration, the AI Exploration Edition streamlines how users acquire knowledge. While it currently supports only desktop devices and still has room for improvement in search accuracy, its powerful features hint at the future of search engines. As AI technology continues to evolve, Baidu Search AI Exploration Edition is poised to become a key tool for information gathering and problem-solving in the years ahead.
About the author: Mingze Dong, Chinese SEO Specialist, Jademond Digital - Mingze Dong is a skilled SEO specialist with a strong foundation in data analysis and digital marketing. After completing his degree in Traffic Management from Dalian Maritime University, Mingze began his career optimizing SEO campaigns for leading Chinese platforms such as Baidu. Joining Jademond Digital in 2023, he focuses on refining SEO strategies for Chinese clients, leveraging his expertise in both technical SEO and content optimization. Mingze’s blog posts offer actionable insights into SEO for the Chinese market, blending his analytical skills with an understanding of local digital trends.