Baidu Search

Baidu search is the flagship search service from Chinese Technology company BAIdu and is wIDEly described as the largest Chinese-language search engine in the world. For users who read Chinese, it functions as a General-purpose Information gateway, blending traditional Web Search with results drawn from Baidu's own ecosystem of services. It is a mainstream consumer product rather than a niche AI startup tool, so its feature set is broad and changes frequently.

What it does

At its core, Baidu Search accepts text queries and returns a ranked list of web pages, alongside a dense panel of specialized results. Depending on the query, this can include news articles, images, videos, encyclopedia summaries, maps, shopping listings, forum posts and short-answer cards. In recent years Baidu has layered Generative AI features onto the search experience, producing summarized answers for some queries, though the availability and depth of these features may vary by region, account status and device.

Key capabilities

• Web and news search: broad indexing of Chinese-language websites, media outlets and blogs.
• vertical results: dedicated tabs and cards for images, video, maps, music, academic papers and encyclopedic entries.
• Knowledge panels: structured summaries for people, places, organizations and other entities.
• AI-assisted answers: some queries return generated overviews or conversational responses, subject to rollout.
• Ecosystem integration: connections to Baidu's map, encyclopedia, forum and cloud services.
• multimodal input: image and voice search options are offered in supported CLIents and APPs.

Who it is for

Baidu Search suits Chinese-speaking users who need quick access to local news, domestic websites, maps and culturally specific infORMation that international search engines may index less thoroughly. researchers, students, journalists and general consumers in Chinese-language markets are its main audience. Users who do not read Chinese, or who primarily need English-language technical sources, will likely find other engines better suited to their needs.

How to get started

1. Open the Baidu homepage in a web browser.
2. Type a query in Chinese or another supported language into the search box.
3. Use the tabs above the results to switch between web, images, video, news and maps.
4. Refine results with filters, quotation marks for exACT phrases, or site-specific operators.
5. Sign in with a Baidu account where required to unlock Personalized or AI-enhanced features.

Pricing and access caveat

BASIc search is free to use and does not normally require an account. Some adjacent services, such as cloud storage, premium content or advanced AI features, may involve separate paid plans or login requirements. Because features, interfaces and regional availability can change without notice, users should treat the above as a general guide rather than a guaranteed specification.