Baidu releases "Report on the Knowledge Search Behavior of Chinese People"

At the two-year anniversary celebration of Baidu Zhidao (Baidu Knows), the Research Center for Chinese Search Behavior released the "Research Report on Chinese Knowledge Search Behavior." It is reported that this is the first domestic survey report targeting interactive Q&A and knowledge-sharing user behavior among internet users. Through the internet, the most open and widely-received platform, it comprehensively analyzes and displays preferences and behavioral characteristics of Chinese people in asking and answering questions.

The report shows that as of June 2007, Baidu Zhidao had more than 10 million users visiting daily, generating nearly 17 million questions. Currently, an average of over 50,000 questions are resolved daily, with a problem-solving rate as high as 96.6%. "There's always someone who knows the answer to your question," which has allowed Baidu Zhidao to rapidly develop within two years, becoming the world's largest interactive Q&A community. Additionally, the report provides many interesting conclusions, such as Chinese internet users being more open about sex compared to foreigners, and "whether or not to have children" being the most troubling issue for internet users.

Domestic internet users are quick-witted and eager to learn

Despite the vast amount of information, internet users' questions are somewhat focused. According to statistics, the majority of questions on Baidu Zhidao are knowledge-based, accounting for 50.7%, followed by lifestyle and entertainment, accounting for 26.0% and 17.6%, respectively. Knowledge analysts stated that this indicates the interactive platform provided by Baidu Zhidao has greatly stimulated the enthusiasm of internet users to share knowledge and experience.

In terms of lifestyle-related questions, such as "how to make spicy crayfish," this type of knowledge usually resides in people's minds and is rarely recorded or organized. However, the Zhidao platform can guide, uncover, and solidify these "tacit knowledge" into "explicit knowledge" through interactive Q&A.

"Whether or not to have children" is the most troubling

In today's era of skyrocketing housing prices, inflation, and immense living pressure, people's worries seem to be quietly changing. The report shows that "whether or not to have children" has become one of the hardest decisions for many people in their lifetime, followed by "whether or not to stay together," "whether or not to work," "whether or not to have money," and so on.

Additionally, love remains an unsolvable riddle for humanity after thousands of years. In the "whether or not" questions on Baidu Zhidao, those related to marriage, romance, and family account for as high as 60%, and in the questions related to "worries," romance-related problems account for a staggering 47.3%.

Chinese people are more open than foreigners

According to common perceptions of cultural differences between the East and West, Chinese people are typically more modest about gender issues, reluctant to speak openly, and place great importance on family; whereas the open Western society enjoys discussing sexuality but lacks family values. However, Baidu's research report came as a surprise. According to surveys, when comparing worry-related questions on knowledge platforms between China and the West, it was found that the proportion of Chinese attention to gender issues is higher than that of Westerners, while the proportion of attention to family issues is lower than that of Westerners.

Social scientists explain this "abnormal" result as follows: precisely because there are many concerns in real life, people share topics in virtual communities that they are unwilling to or lack good channels to share in real society.

Moreover, the report shows that domestic internet users highly regard astrology as a divination tool, while Westerners are more concerned about food, weight gain, anxiety, and mental health, etc. In response, analysts joked, "Chinese people live in the future, while Westerners live in the present."

Stock trading is currently the most popular

Although experts believe the stock market is overheated and advise caution before entering, the enthusiasm of the country's citizens remains undiminished, with nearly 200,000 new accounts opened daily. The report shows that from January to May 2007, the fastest-growing second-level classification in Baidu Zhidao was "stocks," with an average monthly growth rate as high as 38.56%.

Interestingly, the stock trading experience of newly entered stock traders varies widely, from "the stock market is hot, but I know nothing, please give some advice from experts," to "analysis of the big downward line of 000939 Kedi Power on June 8," all of which can find kindred spirits on Baidu Zhidao. The Zhidao platform is undoubtedly the best charging station for this group of newly entered stock traders.