ByteDance's Doubao: How It Became China's Top AI Chatbot

ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, has quietly dominated China’s AI chatbot market with Doubao. The app’s focus on user engagement and social sharing has propelled it to the top, surpassing competitors.

Doubao's User-Friendly Design

Doubao was designed to be relatable and easy to use. Unlike many AI chatbots, Doubao uses a cartoon avatar and a friendly name which means "steamed bun with bean paste". This approach makes the app more appealing.

The app also boasts a colorful interface with features that hold user attention. Influencers use Doubao to create interactive audio content, using regional dialects for comedic effect. This has made Doubao a viral sensation in China.

ByteDance's App-Building Expertise

ByteDance excels at creating viral mobile apps. Known as the “app factory” in China, the company launches many new apps, quickly testing and iterating features. This expertise has been crucial to Doubao's success.

When AI startup DeepSeek gained global attention, it surprised ByteDance. Despite having launched Doubao already, the focus shifted away. Doubao combines features from many popular platforms into a single app.

Doubao's Multifaceted Features

Doubao provides a wide array of features, similar to ChatGPT and others. It supports text, audio, and video chats. The platform can also generate images, spreadsheets, and short videos.

Crucially, Doubao integrates with Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. This integration drives user traffic between the two platforms, boosting Doubao's reach and engagement.

Doubao's Rise to the Top

By August, Doubao became the most popular AI app in China, with over 157 million monthly active users. DeepSeek fell to second place with 143 million. Venture capital firm a16z ranked Doubao fourth globally, behind ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Some users switched from DeepSeek to Doubao for features like image generation and autonomous agents. Server issues on DeepSeek also drove users to Doubao.

Social Media Integration is Key

Doubao-generated images are now common on Chinese social media, marked by a distinct watermark. ByteDance continues to add new features, often mirroring updates from competitors.

ByteDance is expanding Doubao's reach by integrating it into smart glasses, cars, and other devices. This extends Doubao beyond smartphones and computers.

Convenience Drives Virality

Doubao may not have the most advanced technology, but ByteDance encourages users to share their interactions on social media. This strategy increases sharing and engagement in China.

Doubao has become the go-to AI app in China because of ByteDance's ambitious strategy. Despite limited recognition in the West, Doubao is the preferred app for many Chinese users.

The Edge Over Competitors

ByteDance’s experience in building consumer platforms gives it an edge over AI startups like DeepSeek. While DeepSeek is known for its AI performance, it lacks user-friendly features. Doubao excels in multi-modal functionality and ease of use.