Live streaming has become an integral part of Chinese social media, with more than 765 million people tuning in regularly to watch and interact in real time. This shift reflects the strong appetite of local audiences for dynamic, immediate content that blends entertainment with community engagement.

When we refer to WeChat, new foreign marketers may think it’s the mobile app they can freely download on Apple and Google Play Store. However, there are two versions of this app. Weixin is not only the Chinese name but also a separate platform that exclusively caters to Mainland users.

Today, there are over 1.3 billion Chinese internet users. With 74.2% of this user base actively engaging via social media, it’s clear why more foreign businesses are pouring their resources into building their presence on these apps.

Douyin (抖音) is the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, developed by ByteDance. Widely recognized as the leading short-form video-sharing app in China, the platform recently surpassed 1 billion monthly active users in 2026. With the right strategy, its algorithm can help foreign brands distribute content and reach audiences beyond their existing follower base.

Xiaohongshu serves over 300 million monthly active users, with an average user spending at least 40 minutes on the platform per day. As a social media marketing channel in China, it heavily favors user-generated content (UGC) and community-centric activations. To succeed in this platform, brands must learn how to build organic content authority and appeal to the platform’s younger demographic.

Gone were the days when Xiaohongshu was exclusively for female users looking for shopping tips and reviews about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle trends. Today, this social media app has evolved into a digital marketplace that caters to diverse interests, from food tutorials to online gaming content.

After decades of rapid growth, the Chinese digital landscape boasts over 1 billion internet users, 800+ million online shoppers, and an estimated revenue of $4.9 trillion in 2024. Now, with the rise of Guochao trends in China, foreign marketers are left asking: What do Chinese consumers really think about Western brands in 2025?