The Rise of Soft-Selling Livestreams on RedNote

August 15, 2025

Introduction

In China’s fast-paced livestream commerce world, the days of loud, hard-sell broadcasts may be numbered. A new wave of soft-selling livestreams is emerging on RedNote, led by Gen Z and Post-00s creators who are reshaping how products are showcased. Instead of shouting “buy now” slogans, these influencers focus on authenticity, transparency, and real conversations with their audience — and it’s paying off.

What Is Soft-Selling in Livestreaming?

Soft-selling livestreaming replaces high-pressure tactics with honest product discussions, personal insights, and two-way engagement. Influencers highlight both pros and cons, share personal experiences, and often discourage impulse buying — which paradoxically increases audience trust and drives sales.

A standout example is Lydiaaa, a former Peking University scholar, whose livestreams combine product demonstrations with scientific testing and candid reviews. In one 13-hour session, she told viewers not to rush into purchases, repeating the caution dozens of times. The result? Over ¥22 million ($3 million) in sales.

Why It Works on RedNote

RedNote’s algorithm favors content that drives genuine engagement and builds trust. Unlike platforms where aggressive discounting is the main driver, RedNote surfaces high-quality, storytelling-driven content to new audiences through its recommendation engine.

Key factors behind the trend’s success:

  • Trust as Currency: Transparency earns long-term loyalty.

  • Content Over Followers: High-quality storytelling reaches beyond existing followers.

  • Cultural Relevance: Gen Z streamers understand the language, humor, and aesthetic that resonate with their peers.

Impact on Brands

For brands targeting younger Chinese consumers, soft-selling livestreams on RedNote offer both a sales channel and a brand-building opportunity:

  • Lower Entry Barriers: Many soft-selling hosts charge less than mega-streamers.

  • New Audience Reach: Up to 70% of buyers may be first-time viewers.

  • Brand Affinity: The format builds an emotional connection that lasts beyond a single purchase.

How Brands Can Leverage Soft-Selling Livestreams

  1. Partner with the Right Hosts – Look for influencers with engaged communities, even if follower counts are modest.

  2. Allow Creative Freedom – Avoid over-scripted talking points; authenticity is key.

  3. Integrate Storytelling – Tie your product into relatable, everyday scenarios.

  4. Think Long-Term – Consistency matters more than a one-off sales push.

The Takeaway

Soft-selling livestreaming on RedNote isn’t just a passing fad — it’s a sign of where China’s e-commerce is headed. In an era when consumer trust is harder to earn, the brands that embrace authenticity and human-centered storytelling will have the edge.

Want to explore how soft-selling livestreams on RedNote can work for your brand? Our team specializes in creating authentic, high-impact campaigns that resonate with Chinese consumers and drive long-term results. Contact us today to discuss your goals and discover how we can help your brand build trust, engage audiences, and boost sales in China.

You may also like

China’s Social Media Algorithm Updates: How Brands Can Stay Ahead

August 11, 2025

In China’s fast-evolving digital landscape, keeping up with platform algorithm changes is critical for brands to maintain visibility, engagement, and conversions.

This year, Douyin, Xiaohongshu (RED/RedNote), and WeChat Channels have rolled out significant updates to their content recommendation mechanisms — each influencing how posts are discovered, ranked, and amplified.

Whether you’re in lifestyle, tech, F&B, or B2B, understanding these shifts can help you optimize content for maximum reach and ROI.

Douyin: Prioritizing Long-Term Value Over Quick Wins

Historically, Douyin rewarded short, catchy videos with high completion rates. In 2025, the platform’s focus has shifted toward mid- to long-form videos that serve deep, long-tail, and diverse user needs.

Key Changes in Douyin’s Algorithm:

  • Behavior Probability Scoring: The algorithm predicts the likelihood of user actions (likes, comments, shares, follows, saves) based on past behavior.

  • Content Value Weighting: Videos with depth, evergreen relevance, and broader topical connections are ranked higher.

  • Lower Weight on Completion Rate: Unlike before, a slightly lower finish rate won’t penalize longer videos if they deliver value.

Brand Takeaways:

  • Create evergreen, reference-worthy videos such as tutorials, guides, or expert explainers.

  • Use intro slides or text cues to highlight content value early and prompt saves.

  • Expand beyond narrow niches to satisfy latent user interests.

Xiaohongshu: Matching Precision + High Interaction = Growth

Xiaohongshu’s recommendation engine still relies heavily on content-label matching, but recent updates place greater weight on content quality, originality, and interaction metrics.

Key Changes in Xiaohongshu’s Algorithm:

  • Higher Standards for Originality: Notes with over 600 words, originality declarations, and minimal duplication receive extra traffic boosts.

  • Faster Tag Matching: Enhanced indexing speeds mean content is matched to audiences more quickly — making accuracy in topics and tags essential.

  • CES Scoring Priorities Updated: Comments, shares, and follows now carry more weight than likes and saves.

Brand Takeaways:

  • Align title, topic, and content precisely to improve tag relevance.

  • Use specific, niche keywords instead of broad terms to dominate smaller search pools.

  • Drive meaningful comments through questions, discussion hooks, and community engagement.

WeChat Channels: Social Connections Drive Visibility

WeChat Channels’ traffic sources are more socially driven compared to Douyin or Xiaohongshu. In 2025, the platform has increased the weight of “likes” (♡) — especially those coming from friends.

Key Changes in WeChat Channels’ Algorithm:

  • Private Domain to Public Domain Flow: Content that gains initial traction in private networks (Groups, Official Account followers, Moments) can quickly spread to public recommendations.

  • Friends’ Like Tab Boost: The “Friends ♡” tab on the homepage prominently showcases videos liked by multiple friends, increasing organic reach.

  • Integrated Recommendation Paths: Social engagement triggers inclusion in both friend-based and interest-based feeds.

Brand Takeaways:

  • Leverage private domain audiences for a strong cold start — but share selectively to relevant groups for precision targeting.

  • Incorporate socially shareable elements such as emotional storytelling, practical value, or identity-driven messages.

  • Add summary slides, checklists, or infographics to boost screenshots, shares, and likes.

How to Apply These Updates to Your 2025 Campaigns

To win in China’s competitive digital space this year:

  1. Douyin → Focus on depth, evergreen value, and multi-topic expansion.

  2. Xiaohongshu → Double down on originality, precision tagging, and comment-driven interaction.

  3. WeChat Channels → Build social momentum via private domain activation and shareable assets.

Need help optimizing for these algorithms?

Our team specializes in China social media strategy, content localization, and cross-platform growth campaigns.

📩 Contact us to turn these algorithm shifts into your competitive advantage.

You may also like

From SEO to GEO: Why Brands Are Optimizing for AI

August 1, 2025

As artificial intelligence tools become part of daily digital life, one clear trend is emerging in China’s digital marketing landscape: the shift from SEO (search engine optimization) to GEO (generative engine optimization).

This pivot comes as AI chatbots increasingly influence how users discover brands, products, and services. Instead of searching on Baidu or Google, users now ask AI tools directly—and AI recommendations are shaping consumer decisions in real time.

What is GEO?

GEO, or generative engine optimization, refers to the practice of crafting digital content that is more likely to be selected and quoted by AI chatbots in their responses. Rather than simply optimizing for keywords and backlinks, GEO content is structured for AI understanding, credibility, and context.

This means:

  • Including data-backed insights

  • Referencing real-world use cases

  • Clearly explaining product categories or market positioning

  • Publishing on trusted third-party platforms, not just official brand channels

Why This Matters for Brand Visibility

When AI assistants make product or service recommendations, they are perceived as neutral and authoritative. If a chatbot suggests a brand, it’s often taken as a soft endorsement—especially if the user screenshots the result and shares it on social media platforms like Xiaohongshu.

With AI-powered discovery gaining traction, brands not showing up in these responses risk losing organic visibility to more AI-optimized competitors.

AI Changes the Content Game

In the traditional model, content was created for people and optimized for search engine crawlers. Today, it’s increasingly about content for AI first—ensuring that generative models can interpret and trust the material.

Unlike search engines that often highlight official brand sites, AI bots pull from a wider mix of sources, including:

  • Blogs

  • Wikis or knowledge bases

  • Mapping and directory services

  • Social content or review-based platforms

What Makes Content AI-Friendly?

Marketers are beginning to adapt to this shift. GEO-friendly content usually follows a few best practices:

  • Informative and structured: Avoid fluffy marketing language; instead, offer factual descriptions and practical value.

  • Published externally: Content hosted on third-party platforms is more likely to be cited.

  • Localized for Chinese AI platforms: Content in Simplified Chinese, hosted in China, or on locally recognized domains has greater traction.

  • Rich in context: Clarify the industry, use case, and value proposition in detail.

Why Brands Are Making the Switch

Traffic from traditional search engines is steadily declining. Platforms like Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and WeChat Channels have captured consumer attention, and now AI chat tools are taking it a step further, acting as personalized content curators.

Some companies are even rethinking their entire marketing stack after seeing competitors showcased in AI responses. This has prompted a new wave of investment into content strategies focused on AI discoverability rather than keyword density alone.

SEO Isn’t Dead—But It’s Not Enough

To be clear, search engines still play a role. For example, half of one major Chinese search engine’s quarterly revenue still comes from online marketing. But user behavior is shifting fast, and marketing teams are seeing up to five times more demand for GEO services than SEO in certain sectors.

Forward-thinking brands are already working on:

  • Updating blog formats to include structured takeaways

  • Creating educational resources that feel “AI quotable”

  • Publishing to content hubs beyond their own sites

Final Thoughts

As AI becomes a trusted advisor in consumer decision-making, brands must move beyond old SEO rules and think AI-first.

GEO isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a new way of ensuring your brand gets discovered, cited, and trusted in the age of generative AI.

Need Help with GEO in China?
Our team can help you transform your content strategy for the AI era—across blogs, product pages, and third-party platforms. Contact us to get started.

You may also like

Baidu vs Google: 8 Key SEO Differences You Must Know

July 18, 2025

When it comes to search engine optimization, most global marketers are well-versed in Google’s algorithm and best practices. But if you’re targeting the Chinese market, Baidu—the country’s leading search engine—requires a different approach altogether.

In this article, we break down 8 critical differences between Baidu and Google SEO to help you build a localized strategy that actually works.

1. Algorithm Structure: Keywords Still Matter on Baidu

While Google has moved away from meta keyword tags and flat structures, Baidu still uses them as ranking signals. Flat website architecture, accurate meta tags, and keyword density remain important for Baidu rankings. Brands entering China should revisit some “old-school” SEO tactics to align with local requirements.

2. ICP License: A Must for Serious Rankings

An ICP (Internet Content Provider) license is a major trust and compliance signal for Baidu. It’s issued by the Chinese government and is required for hosting a website in Mainland China. Without it, your visibility will be limited—even if your content is well-optimized. Most foreign brands work through a local partner to obtain this license or opt for a .cn domain hosted via a Chinese CDN.

3. Ad Platform Limitations: More Friction Than Google

Launching Baidu ads comes with more barriers than Google Ads. You’ll need to provide additional documentation, undergo account verification, and adapt to fewer ad format options. Campaign approval also tends to take longer. If you plan to invest in SEM, budget extra time for setup and approvals.

4. Different Payment Models: Upfront vs. Post-Billing

Unlike Google, which allows post-campaign billing and flexible budgets, Baidu operates on a prepaid model. Brands must pay an initial deposit and verification fee to activate their ad account. There’s also a minimum threshold for ad spend. If you’re entering the market for the first time, plan for this upfront investment.

5. Chinese Content is King

Baidu strongly favors Simplified Chinese content. Sites written in other languages—even Traditional Chinese—will rank lower. In addition to language, local hosting or Chinese CDN support improves page speed and indexing. Simply put: the more localized your content and infrastructure, the better your results.

6. Social SEO: Zhihu, Douban & Tieba Matter

Unlike Google, Baidu’s ecosystem incorporates results from Chinese forums and social platforms. Activity and keyword-rich discussions on Zhihu, Douban, and Baidu Tieba directly influence rankings. This means a hybrid content strategy—blending on-site SEO and off-site social content—is critical for success.

7. Mobile Optimization: Non-Negotiable

With over 65% of users accessing Baidu via mobile, speed and responsiveness are essential. Baidu prefers fast-loading AMP-like mobile pages and rewards sites that are optimized for China’s top mobile devices and browsers. Don’t expect your desktop-optimized Western site to perform well in this environment.

8. Local Backlinks Carry More Weight

Backlinks still play a big role in Baidu SEO—but with a twist. Baidu gives higher weight to inbound links from Chinese domains and strongly favors exact-match anchor text. Building a local backlink network via media outreach, directory submissions, and Chinese forums can significantly boost your search visibility.

Final Thoughts

A high-performing SEO strategy in China isn’t a simple translation of your Google playbook. It requires localization, compliance, and a firm grasp of Baidu’s ranking factors. By understanding and adapting to these key differences, your brand can gain meaningful visibility and connect with Chinese consumers in a truly relevant way.

Need Help Navigating Baidu SEO? Our team specializes in building effective search and content strategies for the China market. Get in touch to explore how we can support your next campaign.

You may also like

6 Emerging Consumer Segments Reshaping China’s Digital Market

July 10, 2025

As China’s digital economy continues to evolve, so do the expectations, behaviors, and preferences of its consumers. From tech-savvy seniors to Gen Z trendsetters, a nuanced understanding of the country’s most prominent consumer groups is crucial for any brand looking to succeed in this market.

In this blog, we spotlight six key Chinese consumer profiles worth watching in 2025 and share practical tips for how brands can connect with them through localized, data-driven strategies.

  1. Elderly Consumers: China’s Silver Tech Boom

With over 280 million internet users aged 60 and above, China’s senior segment now makes up more than 10% of the nation’s online population. These older users are increasingly comfortable with digital tools and are rapidly expanding their online spending. JD.com has reported a staggering 238% increase in purchases made by seniors since 2019.

What They Spend On:
  • Travel and leisure
  • Health supplements and wellness services
  • Comfortable lifestyle products
How to Engage Them:
  • Simplify UX design for mobile apps and websites
  • Focus on credibility, safety, and product quality
  • Leverage family-centric storytelling and value-driven campaigns

  1. Gen Z: Experience Over Possession

China’s Gen Z shoppers, born between 1995 and 2010, are digital natives who value emotional connections, creativity, and instant gratification. According to recent studies, 47% of Gen Zers in China say they shop on impulse, often influenced by social trends and peer recommendations.

What They Spend On:
  • Fashion and beauty
  • Niche hobbies and pop culture merchandise
  • Experiential consumption: concerts, travel, co-branded items
How to Engage Them:
  • Use Xiaohongshu, Douyin, and Bilibili for trend-based content
  • Build buzz through KOL campaigns and interest-based communities
  • Prioritize UGC, livestreams, and viral challenges

  1. Family Travel Planners: Smart Spending, Digital Tools

From parents organizing summer vacations to adult children planning trips for elderly relatives, family travel planners are strategic, digital-first consumers. They rely heavily on online travel agencies (OTAs) like Trip.com (Ctrip), Qunar, and Fliggy.

What They Spend On:
  • Group travel packages and multi-generational experiences
  • Convenience-oriented services like airport transfers and visa processing
  • Family-focused hotels and entertainment
How to Engage Them:
  • Use WeChat Mini Programs for itinerary customization
  • Work with travel influencers to share itineraries
  • Create bundled experiences and early-bird booking discounts

  1. Brand-Conscious Millennials: Value-Driven Consumers

No longer chasing luxury logos, Chinese millennials (aged 28–40) prioritize value, quality, and alignment with their personal identity. With many living in dual-income households, this group commands high purchasing power.

What They Spend On:
  • Wellness and fitness
  • Premium but functional fashion
  • Modern home goods and technology
How to Engage Them:
  • Showcase sustainability, authenticity, and innovation
  • Use storytelling and brand purpose to foster loyalty
  • Offer product reviews and rich content to support informed decisions

  1. High-Income Baby Boomers: Wellness and World Travel

This segment, often retired professionals and entrepreneurs, has significant disposable income and time to spend. Whether it’s international trips or wellness investments, they’re looking to enjoy life’s second act to the fullest.

What They Spend On:
  • Global luxury travel
  • Health checks and spa treatments
  • Educational and cultural experiences
How to Engage Them:
  • Highlight exclusivity and comfort
  • Use direct-response campaigns with trusted media partners
  • Provide concierge-level service and personalized offerings

  1. Affluent Female Shoppers: Driving the “She Economy”

Women in Tier 1 and 2 cities now dominate household spending decisions. Educated, career-oriented, and financially independent, they prioritize self-investment and high-end lifestyle choices.

What They Spend On:
  • Designer fashion and beauty products
  • Luxury travel and fine dining
  • Pet care, wellness, and fitness subscriptions
How to Engage Them:
  • Curate premium content and product lines
  • Offer VIP programs and early access exclusives
  • Celebrate empowerment and self-expression in campaigns

Final Thoughts

Understanding China’s evolving consumer landscape isn’t just about identifying who’s spending – it’s about understanding why they spend, what motivates them, and where they engage. These six audience segments are leading the shift in China’s digital ecosystem. Tailoring your content, messaging, and media strategy to resonate with them can unlock long-term growth and brand loyalty.

Need help localizing your brand for China? Our team specializes in cross-platform strategy, social commerce activation, and KOL-driven campaigns. Get in touch to learn more.

You may also like

From AI to O2O: 7 Key Media Trends in China

June 27, 2025

As the digital media ecosystem in China continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, understanding emerging trends is crucial for brands looking to thrive in this competitive market. Starcom, the media arm of Publicis Groupe, recently released its latest report, “Increased Integration and Depth in China Media Market”, identifying seven pivotal trends that are redefining consumer behavior, content distribution, and brand strategy across platforms. Here’s a breakdown of the most important insights and how brands can prepare.

 

1. Cross-Platform Integration: Breaking the Walls Down

China’s once siloed internet ecosystem is transforming into a landscape of collaboration. In 2025, we’re witnessing platforms like Tencent and Alibaba opening up to one another: Tencent Games content appears on Douyin, Taobao accepts WeChat Pay, and JD.com integrates Alipay.

For brands, this “horizontal integration” means smoother customer journeys and opportunities to execute truly omnichannel strategies. Cross-platform compatibility also improves user experience, leading to better engagement and conversion rates.

 

2. AI-Powered Search and Intelligent Interactions

Search is no longer just about users looking for information. With generative AI entering the scene, proactive content delivery and conversational search are reshaping digital marketing. The search engine market in China is expected to surpass RMB 300 billion by 2029, with mobile-based search playing a major role.

Brands must rethink their search marketing by aligning keywords, content, and SEO strategy with evolving AI-driven behaviors across Baidu, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and other platforms.

 

3. Online and Offline Synergy: The New O2O Loop

Marketers are rediscovering the power of offline media, especially when amplified by digital interactivity. In 2025, 28.3% of advertisers are increasing their offline ad spend. Campaigns like Xiaohongshu’s user-generated content (UGC) billboards and McDonald’s programmatic subway ads show how to turn physical placements into interactive, trackable experiences.

Successful brands are integrating data capture tools, experience design, and social buzz triggers into their O2O campaigns to drive conversion.

4. Social-Powered Closed-Loop Commerce

Social media platforms are becoming e-commerce ecosystems. Xiaohongshu leads the way with interest-based group chats, offering exclusive promotions, live previews, and direct links to virtual stores. The results are impressive: 2.5x higher repurchase rates and 300x better conversion rates in private domains.

Brands must build community-focused strategies and activate users through content that fuels interaction and loyalty.

 

5. Value-Driven E-Commerce Over Price Wars

As consumer preferences shift from discounts to experience, platforms like Taobao and JD.com are focusing on enhancing logistics, customer service, and product quality. Features like Taobao’s hourly purchase service and JD.com’s “24-hour delivery in counties and towns” reflect this evolution.

To remain competitive, brands should deliver value through exclusive products, flexible services, and premium experiences instead of relying solely on low prices.

 

6. Diverse Content Channels: From Podcasts to Micro-Dramas

China’s content landscape is rapidly diversifying. Podcasts now reach over 220 million users, with 71.6% influenced to make purchases. Meanwhile, micro-drama users account for more than half of the internet population, with the market expected to grow 35% year-on-year to reach RMB 50.44 billion.

Brands need to leverage these formats to tell compelling stories, connect with niche audiences, and reinforce product relevance in immersive, culturally attuned ways.

7. AI’s Expanding Role Across the Funnel

AI is no longer a backend tool; it’s front and center. From predictive CRM and personalized content generation to dynamic bidding and campaign automation, AI is transforming the entire marketing stack. China is also exploring frontier technologies like brain-computer interface advertising.

Brands must embrace AI to improve media planning, content production, customer segmentation, and real-time campaign optimization.

 

Conclusion: Be Adaptive, Be Integrated, Be Smart

In today’s media landscape, success is no longer about mastering one channel or trend. It’s about understanding how technology, platforms, and content work together to shape consumer expectations.

By staying ahead of these seven trends, brands can craft adaptive, AI-enhanced, and experience-driven strategies that resonate in the ever-shifting Chinese digital ecosystem.

Need help navigating China’s evolving media landscape? Contact our team to explore how we can localize your strategy, enhance your platform presence, and drive smarter, performance-driven campaigns tailored to the China market.

You may also like

AI Tools, Smarter Discounts & Winning Plays: 618 Strategies for Beauty Brands

June 13, 2025

The 2025 618 Shopping Festival has revealed not just the strength of China’s e-commerce, but a strategic shift powered by AI, refined platform tactics, and tighter content-commerce integration—especially for the beauty sector.

AI Takes Center Stage

AI quietly became the engine of this year’s festival. Platforms like Taobao and Tmall deployed advanced tools such as Quanzhantui, which assisted 1.4 million merchants in campaign performance optimization. Their new “Image-to-Video” feature alone generated over 1.5 million videos in the run-up to 618, allowing beauty brands to scale production with unmatched speed and consistency.

In May, over 100 million pieces of AI-generated content were created by Alibaba platforms, helping brands reduce costs and maintain high engagement velocity.

Rule Changes and Real Impact

This year, Taobao and Tmall simplified their promotional mechanisms by eliminating complicated cross-store discounting. Instead, a universal 15% discount and category-specific vouchers created greater transparency and increased conversion rates.

The simplified pricing approach also helped:

  • Increase basket size
  • Lower cart abandonment
  • Improve campaign forecasting and marketing ROI

Still, users could stack up to 4+ coupons, leading to ongoing complexity and risks of exploitation via returns.

Return of International Beauty Brands

International giants reclaimed dominance during 618:

  • L’Oréal, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, and SkinCeuticals surpassed 100M RMB in sales within 30 minutes.
  • Local brand Proya was the only domestic contender in the same range.

Why? Cleaner inventories, global price-matching, exclusive discounts, and better member engagement strategies re-energized consumer trust.

Platform Differentiation Defines Strategy

Each platform reinforced its unique edge:

  • Tmall/Taobao remain brand-building powerhouses (45.1% market share, +8.5% YoY growth).
  • JD.com leaned into sustainable luxury with its “Green Impact Initiative.”
  • Douyin capitalized on algorithmic DTC performance.
  • Xiaohongshu (RedNote) emerged as the go-to discovery engine for functional skincare.

Content-Commerce Convergence

Cross-platform integrations like Tmall × Xiaohongshu’s “Red Cat Plan” created seamless discovery-to-checkout flows. Brands embedding Tmall links into RED posts saw a 27% lift in click-through-to-conversion.

Livestreaming’s Evolving Role

While year-round livestreaming is now common, 618 remains a high-intensity branding moment. Brands leverage the event for:

  • Launching new SKUs
  • Testing pricing elasticity
  • Generating strategic insights ahead of Double 11

Premium brands are more cautious with discounts, using livestreams strategically rather than constantly.

What This Means for Beauty Brands

618 is no longer just a discount-driven spike—it’s a mid-year strategy checkpoint. Success now depends on a refined mix of:

  • AI-powered content production
  • Platform-specific strategies
  • Transparent promotions
  • Commerce embedded in community

Want to future-proof your brand’s 618 strategy or improve your China e-commerce game with AI and integrated platform tactics? Contact us today to craft a data-backed, conversion-focused strategy tailored to your needs.

You may also like

9 Proven Strategies for Foreign Brands to Succeed on RedNote

May 16, 2025

RedNote (Xiaohongshu) has become a crucial platform for lifestyle-focused social commerce in China. With a strong base of Gen Z and millennial users, RedNote offers foreign brands a powerful entry point—if content is executed well.

Examples of Galeries Lafayette’s official RedNote (Xiaohongshu) account content, including branded posts, influencer videos, product promotions, and CNY marketing campaigns

Here are 9 proven strategies that help brands stand out, gain traction, and convert consumers on RedNote.

1. Choosing the Right Visual Elements

High-quality visuals are essential to gain attention on RedNote, especially on a platform rooted in shopping discovery. Authentic product photos—especially those that look like they’re taken by users—outperform overly commercial images.

Your cover image heavily influences click-through rates, and user-generated-style visuals tend to generate better engagement and higher conversions.

2. Localize Your Content

Translation alone won’t help your brand stand out. With over 56% of brands on RedNote being local, cultural alignment is key.

Foreign brands need to adapt messaging and visuals to Chinese tastes, participate in local events, and ensure language is in simplified Chinese with relevant slang and expressions. Professional translation is highly recommended over free tools.

3. Implement a Solid Influencer Marketing Strategy

Influencers remain central to social commerce in China. However, the shift is moving toward KOCs (Key Opinion Consumers) and Micro-KOLs, who offer more authentic and relatable content.

Use platforms like:

  • Pugongying – RedNote’s official KOL marketplace
  • Qiangua – A third-party tool offering in-depth analytics and price estimates

These tools help identify the right influencer partnerships based on engagement, niche, and audience fit.

4. Launch a Brand Promotion Through Ads

While organic content drives trust, paid content helps reach niche audiences. RedNote offers formats such as:

  • Paid KOL collaborations
  • In-feed/native ads
  • Search ads (placing your brand in top search results for relevant keywords)

Combining organic and paid tactics is essential for visibility and conversion.

5. Optimize for RedNote’s Social Search Function

RedNote users now skip traditional search engines and look directly within the app for product recommendations.

To appear in these results, your content must be keyword-optimized—using trending search terms in titles, captions, and hashtags. Conduct research on term popularity and search volume within your niche.

6. Long vs. Short Content

Brand accounts generally perform better with longer, keyword-rich content (about 500 characters), while individual influencers might gain engagement with just emojis.

Use a blend of rich descriptions and emojis for better readability and stronger reach through RedNote’s search algorithm.

7. Generate Traffic Through Lucky Draws

RedNote offers a built-in feature for lucky draws, where users follow, like, or bookmark to enter.

These campaigns attract initial attention—even from freebie seekers—but can go viral and lead to brand discovery by more qualified leads. Sephora is one success case, generating 1,000+ engagements with a lucky draw.

8. Utilize RedNote’s Live-streaming Features

Live commerce is rising fast on RedNote. Though platforms like Taobao and Douyin lead the category, RedNote is gaining momentum, particularly in beauty, food, and maternal product categories.

During the Spring Festival, the platform hit 198M RMB in sales via livestreams, with users valuing both interactivity and authenticity in real-time product showcases.

9. Participate in E-Commerce Shopping Festivals

Leverage China’s e-commerce calendar—especially events like:

  • Lunar New Year
  • National Day
  • Women’s Day (key on RedNote due to its largely female base)
  • RED Friday – RedNote’s version of Black Friday, from late November through early December

Participation in these events can significantly boost visibility and sales when paired with strategic promotions.

Final Takeaway

RedNote is more than a content-sharing platform—it’s a full social commerce ecosystem. For foreign brands, understanding and leveraging these 9 strategies is critical to building relevance and success in China’s competitive digital space.

Want to localize your RedNote strategy with confidence? Contact us today to build a plan that drives content, community, and commerce.

You may also like

Maximizing B2B SEO in China: The Strategic Role of Baidu Baike

May 9, 2025

When it comes to B2B digital marketing in China, most brands focus on platforms like WeChat. However, many overlook a powerful yet cost-effective asset that can significantly boost brand visibility, credibility, and SEO performance—Baidu Baike (百度百科).

What Is Baidu Baike?

Baidu Baike is China’s equivalent of Wikipedia, but it’s more than just an online encyclopedia. With nearly 300 million monthly homepage views and even more traffic from Baidu Search, Baidu Baike plays a crucial role in shaping brand perception and supporting search-driven research in China.

For B2B marketers, a well-maintained Baike page serves as an authoritative digital asset, offering Chinese professionals a credible first touchpoint when researching potential partners, vendors, or service providers.

Screenshot of the Baidu Baike page for GIC, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, showing company introduction, details, and related video.

GIC’s official Baidu Baike page serves as a strong example of how foreign organizations can build credibility and improve search visibility in China.

Why Baidu Baike Matters for B2B Marketing

  • Search Visibility: Baidu Baike entries rank highly on Baidu, improving your organic SEO performance.

  • Credibility Boost: A professional Baike page adds legitimacy and positions your brand as a trusted source of information.

  • Lead Generation Support: It helps prospective clients or partners validate your business before making contact.

  • Content Ecosystem Integration: Baidu Baike links seamlessly with other Baidu properties like Zhidao, Baijiahao, and Tieba.

How to Create a Baidu Baike Entry in 2025

  1. Register a Baidu Account

    • Required for submission. You’ll need a verified Baidu account, typically with a Chinese phone number.

  2. Check for Existing Entries

    • Search your brand in Baike to ensure no duplicate entries exist.

  3. Draft a Structured Entry

    • Include your company’s history, services, milestones, and leadership details in simplified Chinese.

  4. Cite Reliable Sources

    • Reference Chinese-language news outlets, government publications, or academic sources to validate your content.

  5. Submit for Review

    • Baidu’s editorial team will review and approve your entry before publishing.

5 Proven Strategies to Maximize Baidu Baike’s Value

1. Create a Structured, Professional Entry

Write your page like a Wikipedia article with a clean layout, well-defined sections, and neutral language.

2. Optimize for Baidu Search

Use industry-relevant keywords, highlight your Chinese brand name, and include internal Baike links to related concepts or categories.

3. Leverage Baidu’s Content Ecosystem

Link your Baike page in:

  • Zhidao Q&As

  • Baijiahao articles

  • Tieba forums

  • SEM ads and Baidu Brand Zone

4. Keep Your Entry Updated

Regularly refresh your page with new milestones, product launches, and verified information to maintain credibility.

5. Use Third-Party Mentions as References

Leverage mentions by KOLs, journalists, or platforms like Zhihu as credible references to strengthen your Baike content.

Final Thoughts

As search-driven research continues to dominate B2B buyer behavior in China, Baidu Baike remains one of the most underrated digital assets for foreign brands. Investing in a credible, well-optimized Baike page can help your brand build trust, visibility, and lead generation potential in the world’s largest online market.

Need help with Baidu Baike or your B2B China marketing strategy? Contact us today to learn more.

You may also like

6 Keyword Categories Every Brand Needs for Xiaohongshu Success

April 24, 2025

Understanding Xiaohongshu’s dual-track content distribution—discovery and search—is crucial for any brand looking to optimize its keyword strategy. On the “Discovery” page, the algorithm matches content quality with user interests, casting a wide net for potential reach. Meanwhile, the “Search” page is where users enter specific keywords—direct signals of intent—allowing for precise targeting.

These two ecosystems are closely linked. If your note achieves high click-through rates from search, Xiaohongshu’s system will then recommend it to more similar users, creating a “search exposure → interaction → discovery recommendation” flywheel effect. This explains why a post with little initial traction can suddenly explode months later: as your keyword strategy steadily surfaces content to new audiences, accumulating clicks will eventually trigger the algorithm’s next-level recommendations.

Many brands rely solely on brand, category, or pain-point keywords—but this isn’t enough. Effective keyword planning starts with understanding the user’s decision process.Below, we break down the six must-use keyword categories every brand should incorporate into their Xiaohongshu strategy with actionable content tips for each.

1. Category Keywords – Sparking Initial Interest

These are broad terms like “electric toothbrush” or “hydrating essence.” Users searching these are just beginning to explore a solution.

Content Tip: Create product comparison guides, “how to choose” lists, and expert overviews to position your brand as an authority from the start.

2. Pain-Point Keywords – Targeting Strong Motivation

Keywords such as “yellow teeth,” “blackheads,” or “cakey foundation” reveal urgent, specific problems.

Content Tip: Use before-and-after tutorials, real-user stories, or quick-fix hacks that put the problem and your product’s solution front and center.

3. Scenario Keywords – Contextualizing Your Value

Searches like “travel-friendly,” “workout-proof makeup,” or “summer skincare” show users are thinking about practical usage scenarios.

Content Tip: Highlight your product in situational lists (“Best gym bag essentials,” “Must-haves for business travel”), matching benefits to real-life moments.

4. Competitor Keywords – Winning the Final Decision

Terms like “Usmile vs. Philips” or “best foundation for oily skin” indicate a user is comparing options and ready to buy.

Content Tip: Publish side-by-side comparison tables, influencer “battle” reviews, or test results that clearly show your strengths over competitors.

5. Demographic Keywords – Precision Targeting by User Group

Tags like “student budget skincare,” “sensitive skin routine,” or “petite fashion finds” let you target niche audiences in a crowded market.

Content Tip: Develop campaigns for specific groups (e.g., “Dorm room beauty hacks for students”) using relatable settings and tailored product combos.

6. Long-Tail Keywords – Unlocking Niche Demand

These hyper-specific phrases (“orthodontic toothbrush for teens,” “pregnancy-safe face masks”) may have lower search volume, but much higher conversion rates.

Content Tip: Create deep-dive content for each long-tail keyword—listicles, guides, or solution stories—to capture these motivated, under-served segments.

Want help optimizing your Xiaohongshu keyword strategy? Contact us for tailored, expert support that drives results.

You may also like