Robin Li: Winning the Future in the Mobile Internet

Transcript

Oh it's a good to be here after three years last time I spoke at Stanford was seeing 2009 I'm really happy to see some of you again you guys as young as three years ago but I'm older I've got a lot more gray hair than before especially in the Internet age three years is a long time a lot has happened and today I'm supposed to talk about mobile let ... Read More

Summary

In this video, Robin Li, the CEO of Baidu, discusses the challenges and opportunities of mobile internet in China. He talks about the shift from desktop to mobile and the impact it has on different business models, such as advertising, online games, and e-commerce. He also shares Baidu's approach to mobile, including their focus on search, development of apps, and integration with existing platforms like Android. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of finding the right business model for mobile internet and the potential for innovation in China's mobile market.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has the mobile internet landscape changed since 2009?

The mobile internet has experienced significant changes over the past few years. The number of mobile phone users has grown rapidly, but mobile internet adoption has been slower than anticipated. Initially, internet companies in China focused on becoming service providers for telecom carriers, but this model relied heavily on the relationship with the carrier, which posed risks. However, with the introduction of 3G licenses and the popularity of smartphones like the iPhone and Android devices, the mobile internet market has become more competitive and diverse.

Q: How does mobile advertising differ from desktop advertising?

Mobile advertising faces unique challenges compared to desktop advertising. While larger screens on TVs and desktops allow for more ad space and better monetization, mobile screens are smaller and limit the number of ads that can be displayed without disrupting the user experience. This limits the revenue potential of mobile advertising, both in China and globally. Additionally, online games and e-commerce, which are major revenue streams on desktop, have struggled to achieve success on mobile devices due to factors like screen size and user acceptance. As a result, finding the right business model for mobile advertising remains a challenge.

Q: How is Baidu adapting to the mobile space?

Baidu recognizes the importance of mobile internet and is actively developing mobile applications and services. They have developed a mobile web search engine, a mobile browser, and a mobile input method engine (IME) for non-English languages like Chinese. They also work with phone manufacturers to pre-load apps, although this practice can sometimes be intrusive for users. Furthermore, Baidu is focused on integrating content and apps in their search engine to improve user experience and become the gateway for mobile internet users. They are also working on an infrastructure to support mobile app developers, offering them storage, computing power, and data intelligence for free.

Q: How does Baidu plan to monetize the mobile internet?

Baidu's current monetization strategy for mobile internet primarily relies on advertising, specifically search advertising. They believe that they can achieve significant revenue growth in this area, but acknowledge the challenge of lower CPMs (cost per thousand impressions) on mobile compared to desktop. Baidu is also focused on developing an ecosystem for mobile app developers, offering them free tools and resources to encourage innovation and collaboration. They believe that through this ecosystem, developers will be able to find diverse ways to monetize their apps and services, such as through pre-charging or subscription-based models. However, the specific business model for mobile internet monetization is still uncertain.

Q: How does Baidu differentiate itself from competitors like Alibaba and Google in the mobile market?

Baidu differentiates itself from competitors by focusing on providing the best user experience through search quality and innovative products. They believe that if they can satisfy users' needs better than their competitors, they will be able to maintain their market position. Baidu's approach to mobile involves integrating content and apps, as well as working with handset manufacturers to optimize their operating system. They are also focused on developing an infrastructure to support mobile app developers, helping them reach targeted consumers and providing a vibrant ecosystem for smaller developers to thrive.

Q: How does Baidu view social value creation and its impact in China?

Baidu recognizes the importance of social products as a means to engage users and enhance their experience. They have developed various social products, such as discussion forums and encyclopedias, which have gained significant traffic and surpassed web search in terms of usage. Baidu's social products are designed to help users find information and stay on their platform. They are currently exploring the right business model for social products and believe that interest-based social products have more value than traditional social networks. Baidu sees social products as an opportunity for growth and innovation.

Q: How does Baidu approach research and development for mobile compared to desktop?

Baidu currently allocates about 25% of its resources to mobile research and development, although this allocation may change based on market conditions. From a revenue perspective, mobile currently contributes a relatively small percentage to Baidu's total revenue, but it is growing rapidly. The exact timeline for mobile to become a more material revenue source is uncertain, as Baidu is focusing on improving the mobile CPM and developing an infrastructure for mobile app developers. However, they anticipate this process to take at least three years.

Q: Is Baidu concerned about competition from Qiho 360 and the future of their desktop search business?

Baidu believes that search quality is the key to winning the search engine market. While there may be competitors and distribution channels that pose challenges, Baidu's strong lead in search quality and their focus on user experience give them confidence in maintaining their market position. They continue to invest in research and development, particularly in Chinese language search, to further improve search quality and stay ahead of competitors. Baidu views competition as a normal part of the market and believes that the best user experience will ultimately drive users to their search engine.

Q: What is the social impact that Baidu wants to make in China?

Baidu aims to provide social products that enhance the user experience and help users find information more effectively. Their social products, such as discussion forums and encyclopedias, have already had a significant impact in connecting users and providing valuable content. In the future, Baidu hopes to find a sustainable business model for social products, enabling them to not only satisfy users' needs but also generate revenue. They believe that interest-based social products have the potential to create social value and be more valuable than traditional social networks.

Q: How does Baidu see the future of mobile internet in China and what opportunities does it present?

Baidu sees a bright future for mobile internet in China, driven by the large user base and intense competition. With over 600-700 million mobile users in China, there is a tremendous opportunity for innovation and problem-solving in the mobile market. Baidu believes that understanding and solving users' problems before anyone else is the key to innovation, and the mobile market in China presents the opportunity to do so. They encourage entrepreneurs to explore the Chinese market and anticipate that many innovations will come from China in the mobile internet space.