How to Register a Baidu Account Outside China [Marketer’s Guide]

Last Updated on June 11, 2025

As China’s dominant search engine, Baidu serves over 724 million internet users. Therefore, having a presence on this platform is non-negotiable for any business targeting the Chinese market.

However, if you’re not in China, the signup process can be challenging due to language, phone verification, and policy hurdles.

Through this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to register a Baidu account outside China and other alternatives you can try to complete the process. 

 

Different Ways to Register a Baidu Account Outside China

 

1.  Register with a Chinese Phone Number

The most straightforward Baidu account registration process is using a Chinese phone number. If your company is already operating within China in any capacity, chances are you already have a local SIM card.

Go to the Baidu registration page (passport.baidu.com/v2/?reg), add your desired username/password, enter your Chinese mobile number, and click “Get SMS Code.”

 

Domestic Baidu Account Registration Page

 

You will receive a text with a verification code. After entering the correct code, your newly created Baidu account will be bound to the Chinese phone number you provided. 

Many services (even for foreigners) now offer Chinese virtual SIM numbers. However, be warned: Baidu actively filters and monitors overseas registrations to prevent suspicious users from entering their system.

If you use a Chinese number outside China, you may see an error like “Your current operation is a security risk.” This is because the system often expects Chinese accounts to be created within China. 

So, even if you have a Chinese phone, ensure you’re not using a suspicious VPN or IP. If Baidu blocks your attempt, you’ll need to try another method (see below).

 

2. Register with an International Phone Number

Baidu provides a special overseas registration page for non-Chinese phone numbers. To access it, visit https://passport.baidu.com/v2/?reg&overseas=1.

It’s the same sign-up form. The only difference is that it accepts international mobile numbers. Users can select country codes, enter their phone number (no plus sign), and a username/password.

 

Baidu Account Registration Page for International Users

 

However, be aware of limitations: Baidu only supports specific country codes. As of mid-2021, some countries like Switzerland were supported, but others (e.g., Germany +49) were not.

Even if your mobile phone country code is allowed, Baidu’s system may randomly fail with a generic error (“verification failed”) if it flags the operation as suspicious. And sometimes, mobile carriers label Baidu’s SMS as spam. 

If you didn’t receive an SMS with the verification code, try checking your phone’s spam or junk messages folder. Make sure you entered the mobile phone number correctly (no spaces or dashes). Try again after some time, as Baidu may block repeated attempts from your IP.

 

3. Register through a Baidu PPC Account

If you have a legitimate company (Chinese or foreign) and plan to advertise in China, you can open a Baidu advertising account instead. This process is more involved but avoids the mobile SMS problem.

You can contact an authorized Baidu Ads agency. They can handle the entire registration process on your behalf as well as the campaigns you intend to implement on the search engine.

 

Examples of Baidu Ads

 

You may need to provide requirements like a scanned copy of your business registration certificate or a screenshot of your website’s homepage. 

After receiving the required documents, Baidu verifies your brand’s legitimacy (they check that your site is accessible, legal, and contains your company name/address). The approval takes around 2 to 4 weeks. 

Using a Baidu PPC account has benefits: it doesn’t require a Chinese mobile for signup, and gives you direct access to the platform’s marketing tools (keyword targeting, bid management, analytics, etc.).

 

4. Log in with an Email Address

In reality, a Baidu account registration without a Chinese phone number can be challenging. So, it’s not uncommon for foreign marketers to try using an email address. However, you can only use this login process when the account has already been created. 

Here are some steps you can try to switch your Baidu account login credentials from your mobile phone number to an email address:

 

Download the QQ App

First, create a Chinese QQ account (an instant messaging service with an email service). Then, download and install the app from im.qq.com.

 

 

When you open the QQ app, tap “New User,” select your country, enter your phone, and solve the captcha. 

It’s also important to note that the versions of QQ in Google/Apple stores are outdated for email linking. We recommend downloading the APK file from the official website instead.

 

Download the QQ Mail App

Once you create a QQ account, install the platform’s email service app via app stores or mail.qq.com. On the login screen, select the option “Mail (QQ邮箱 mail.qq.com)” and use the username/password you’ve set on the QQ app.

This connects QQ Mail to your QQ account. After that, you already have a fully functional Chinese email address.

 

 

 

Tweak the Baidu Settings

Finally, update your Baidu business account so that you can log in using this new email. Then, enter your old credentials on the mobile app or website. From there, find the Settings tab and select the Security/Account option. 

Look for the 绑定邮箱 (“Bind Email”) section and input your newly created QQ email address. 

Once your QQ email address is bound to your Baidu account, you can log in by selecting “Username Login” and entering [email protected] plus your password. 

This switches your login options to email-based, allowing you to access your account without Chinese or foreign phone numbers. 

 

What Baidu Account Types Can You Create for Your Business?

When opening a Baidu business account, marketers must consider the type of user activities they intend to execute. It’s worth noting that not all account types have the same content creation capabilities. 

 

Standard Baidu User Account

Anyone can open a standard Baidu account. This account is used for all the tech giant’s online services (similar to a Google Account in the West), and it lets you sign into its official website and access its tools.

 

 

For example, with a standard account, you can use the Baidu Webmaster Tools (Baidu Ziyuan) and the Baidu Analytics (Tongji), similar to Google Search Console and Google Analytics. These tools let you submit sitemaps, track indexation, and analyze your site’s Chinese user traffic.

A standard Baidu account also allows you to use Baidu Cloud, Baidu Maps business listings, forums, and other related offerings.

 

Baidu Advertising (PPC) Account

Like other search engines, Baidu offers several advertising options to its users. This type of account is often called Baidu Tuiguang. It grants access to Baidu’s advertising platform, including search ads, display ads, Brand Zone, and more.

With it, you can set up keyword-based pay-per-click campaigns, target specific demographics, and track conversions. However, unlike a simple user login, a PPC account requires formal verification (e.g., business license, official documents) and an initial deposit. 

While more effort is required, an advertising account opens doors to China’s largest search market, allowing your ads to appear on the first page of Chinese search results.

 

 

Common Problems You’ll Encounter During Baidu Account Registration

 

Verification Code SMS Not Arriving

This is the most common hurdle when creating an account on the Baidu app. Common errors include unsupported numbers, carrier filters, or frequent retries. Listed below are solutions you can try to resolve this specific problem:

• Check Spam or Junk Folders. Sometimes, international mobile phone carriers flag Baidu’s SMS as suspicious or spam.
• Wait and Retry: If you see “operation too frequent, please try again later,” stop and retry after at least an hour (even up to a day). Frequent attempts trigger cooldowns.
• Use the Right Page: Make sure you’re on the correct registration form. Some users use the ?overseas=1 URL to reach the overseas sign-up form.
• Valid Number: Use a regular mobile number, not VoIP or landline. And ensure the country code is correct (no “+” sign is needed once you pick the country). Some country codes may be blocked entirely by Baidu.

 

System Bugs and Glitches

Baidu’s registration flow sometimes has technical issues. The site occasionally mislabels fields or fails to load correctly, primarily if Baidu detects a foreign IP. A few tips to resolve these problems:

• Use Official Apps: If the web form shows errors, download the official Baidu app (from a Chinese app store or via APK) and register your new local email through the app’s settings. Some have found the mobile app interface smoother.
• Clear Cache/Cookies: If you see weird errors, clear your browser cookies or try a private or incognito window. Old cookies can confuse Baidu’s state.
• Different Devices: Try the process on both mobile and desktop. Some users noted that registration worked on the mobile page when the desktop was blocked.
• Ask for Help: If you get stuck, contact Baidu support or hire a China specialist agency to open the account.

 

Quick Q&A

Does Baidu work outside China?

Yes, Baidu works outside China. International users can visit Baidu.com and perform searches just as Chinese users do. 

Baidu is not blocked by China’s firewall for external access. However, remember that its content is almost entirely in the local language. Outside of the country, the search engine will still display results in Chinese.

 

Is Baidu only available in Chinese?

Baidu is a China-based search engine, which means that its interface is primarily available in Simplified Chinese. Most of its services (like Maps, Baike, Tieba, and support/documentation) are designed for local audiences.

While you can input English queries and some third-party sites offer English-translated interfaces, these are unofficial and often less accurate.

 

Can foreigners have a Baidu account?

Yes, foreigners can have a Baidu account using an international phone number by accessing the overseas registration interface. However, responses to verification codes may be unreliable, and the system may reject some types of numbers (like VoIP or frequently used virtual numbers). 

 

Can you create a Baidu account without a Chinese phone number?

Using an international number to create a Baidu account without a Chinese SIM is technically possible. However, users often encounter errors or blocked SMS because the system enforces real-name registration tied to Chinese phone services.

As a workaround for businesses, the recommended route is to create a Baidu PPC account, which can be set up via an overseas entity.

 

Do You Need Help Launching Campaigns on Baidu? Get In Touch With Us Today!

Learning how to register a Baidu account outside China takes extra effort, but it’s feasible with the right approach. Having an official presence on the platform lets you optimize for Baidu search, run targeted ads, and reach millions of Chinese consumers.

 

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At Sekkei Digital Group, we understand the importance of Baidu in building a brand presence in the Chinese market. With our extensive industry experience and in-depth expertise, we can help your business reach the right audience in China.

 

Whether you intend to launch ad campaigns or optimize your content for Baidu, we have all the digital solutions you need! Get in touch with our team, and let’s start working on your marketing strategy in China.