Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company recorded a GAAP net loss of RMB165.8 million for Q1 2024, narrowing by 7.4% year-over-year, while the non-GAAP net loss was RMB135.7 million [21] - Gross profit for Q1 increased by 6.1% year-over-year to RMB543.5 million, with a gross profit margin improvement of 5.1 percentage points year-over-year to 56.6% [20] - Total operating expenses for the quarter were RMB768.2 million, compared to RMB729.0 million in the same period last year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Vocational training revenue increased by 35.9% year-over-year to RMB145.4 million, contributing over 15% to total revenue for the first time [12] - Paid membership revenue reached RMB449.7 million, with an average monthly subscribing member count of 14.8 million, showing a slight decrease of 0.8% year-over-year but an increase of 4.1% quarter-on-quarter [14] - Marketing services revenue decreased by 15.7% year-over-year to RMB330.5 million, although brand advertising revenue increased by 40% year-over-year [17][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The cumulative business of content on the platform reached 804.2 million, including 611 million Q&As, up 15.4% year-over-year [7] - The number of content creators earning income on Zhihu grew by over 25% year-over-year, with the number of creators benefiting from the monetization plan nearly quadrupling compared to the same period last year [8] - The number of AI creators certified by Blue Label increased by 130% year-over-year, indicating a surge in AI-related content and creator engagement [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on achieving profitability in the short term, with a strategic emphasis on high-quality content and user value in the AI era [5][6] - The company aims to enhance operational efficiency through AI-driven technology and has made significant investments in AI capabilities [10][11] - The strategy includes a proactive reduction in community-related user acquisition costs while maintaining a higher ROI in pay membership and vocational training businesses [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects to achieve quarterly non-GAAP net profit by Q4 2024, with ongoing improvements in operational metrics [24] - The shift from the Internet era to the AI era is seen as a fundamental change, emphasizing the importance of high-quality content and top-tier users [25] - Management believes that the community's trustworthiness and the integration of AI search features will drive sustainable growth [18][34] Other Important Information - The company repurchased 4.8 million A ordinary shares for a total price of $8 million during the first quarter [22] - The company has cash and cash equivalents of RMB1.2 billion as of March 31, 2024, down from RMB5.5 billion at the end of 2023 [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on timetable to achieve quarterly breakeven - Management expects to achieve quarterly non-GAAP net profit in Q4 2024, with notable improvements starting from Q2 2024 [24] Question: User trends post selling and marketing strategy adjustments - Core user retention rates have maintained growth momentum, and daily active user engagement has increased significantly [28] Question: Recent developments in AI publications and user activity - The beta version of the AI search feature has shown promising results, with users becoming notably more active [34] Question: Long-term growth outlook for vocational training business - The vocational training business is expected to continue outperforming the industry, driven by community-enabled self-operated offerings [38] Question: Membership business competition landscape - Zhihu remains a leader in the membership segment, with a significant number of content creators returning to the platform [41]

Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q1 2024 was RMB 960.9 million (USD 133.1 million), a decrease from RMB 994.2 million in Q1 2023[6] - Gross margin increased from 51.5% in Q1 2023 to 56.6% in Q1 2024[6] - Net loss narrowed to RMB 165.8 million (USD 23.0 million) in Q1 2024, compared to RMB 179.0 million in Q1 2023[8] - Paid subscription revenue was RMB 449.7 million (USD 62.3 million), slightly down from RMB 454.8 million in Q1 2023[7] - Revenue from vocational training grew by 35.9% to RMB 145.4 million (USD 20.1 million) in Q1 2024, up from RMB 107.0 million in Q1 2023[7] - Operating expenses totaled RMB 768.2 million (USD 106.4 million) in Q1 2024, compared to RMB 729.0 million in Q1 2023[7] User Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAUs) reached 89.0 million in Q1 2024[6] - The company is focusing on improving the trustworthiness of its community to drive user engagement and retention[6] - Monthly active users are defined as the number of unique mobile devices that activated the mobile app at least once in a specified month[10] Share Repurchase Program - As of March 31, 2024, the company repurchased 31.1 million Class A ordinary shares under the existing $100 million share repurchase program, totaling $66.5 million[9] - The board has approved an extension of the 2022 repurchase plan until June 26, 2025, pending shareholder approval at the upcoming annual meeting[9] - The proposed repurchase authorization allows for the buyback of up to 10% of the company's issued shares as of the approval date, excluding treasury shares[9] - The company plans to fund any repurchases using existing cash reserves[9] Financial Metrics and Adjustments - Non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted operating loss and adjusted net loss, are used to supplement the review and assessment of the company's operating performance[13] - The adjusted operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was RMB 157,336 thousand, compared to RMB 165,293 thousand for the previous quarter[23] Future Plans and Events - The company aims to achieve profitability through enhanced operational efficiency and reduced losses[6] - The company will hold an earnings conference call on June 12, 2024, at 7:00 AM Eastern Time[11] - The company will change the ratio of American Depositary Shares (ADS) to Class A ordinary shares from two ADS to one Class A share to three ADS to one Class A share effective May 10, 2024[10] Historical Financial Data - Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was RMB 994,220 thousand, a decrease of 12.7% from RMB 1,138,297 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2022[16] - The number of paid members for professional training was 145,436, compared to 169,272 in the previous quarter, indicating a decline of 14.1%[16] - Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was RMB 512,219 thousand, down from RMB 673,100 thousand in the previous quarter, representing a decrease of 24%[16] - Operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was RMB 216,744 thousand, compared to a loss of RMB 178,158 thousand for the three months ended December 31, 2022[16] - Net loss attributable to Zhihu shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was RMB 181,355 thousand, compared to a loss of RMB 103,771 thousand in the previous quarter[16] - Total assets as of December 31, 2022, were RMB 6,795,272 thousand, a slight increase from RMB 6,535,376 thousand as of March 31, 2023[22] - Total liabilities as of March 31, 2023, were RMB 2,093,662 thousand, compared to RMB 2,027,808 thousand as of December 31, 2022[22] - The company reported a basic and diluted net loss per share of RMB (0.59) for the three months ended March 31, 2023[18] - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2022, were RMB 2,106,639 thousand, showing a decrease to RMB 2,194,419 thousand as of March 31, 2023[22]

Investor Home Corporate Information Company Profile Corporate Governance Board of Directors News & Events Company News Event Calendar Shareholder Meetings Webcasts Financials & Filings Quarterly Results Annual & Interim Reports SEC Filings HKEX Filings Stock Information Stock Quote Historical Price Lookup Analyst Coverage Investor Resources Investor FAQs IR Contacts Investor Alerts EN EN ̤娉¬ � Search Keywords... Search Company News Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2024 Financial Results BEIJING, J ...

Financial Performance - Total revenues for 2023 reached RMB 4,198,889 thousand, representing a 16.5% increase from RMB 3,604,919 thousand in 2022[11] - Gross profit for 2023 was RMB 2,295,848 thousand, up 27.0% from RMB 1,808,052 thousand in 2022[11] - The net loss for 2023 decreased to RMB 839,528 thousand, a 46.8% improvement compared to RMB 1,578,403 thousand in 2022[11] - Adjusted loss from operations for 2023 was RMB 887,984 thousand, a 27.1% reduction from RMB 1,218,803 thousand in 2022[11] - Adjusted net loss for 2023 was RMB 659,093 thousand, down 44.9% from RMB 1,195,855 thousand in 2022[11] - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB1.7 billion in 2023 from RMB2.0 billion in 2022, reflecting a challenging industry environment[38] - Paid membership revenue increased by 48.4% to RMB1.8 billion in 2023, up from RMB1.2 billion in 2022, driven by growth in subscribing members[38] - Vocational training revenue surged by 127.8% to RMB565.6 million in 2023, compared to RMB248.3 million in 2022, due to enhanced online course offerings and contributions from acquired businesses[38] - Gross profit rose by 27.0% to RMB2.3 billion in 2023, with gross margin expanding to 54.7% from 50.2% in 2022[42] - Total operating expenses remained flat at RMB3.4 billion in 2023, with research and development expenses increasing by 18.1% to RMB901.5 million[43] User Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAUs) increased by 4.0% to 105.3 million in 2023 from 101.3 million in 2022[11] - Average monthly subscribing members rose by 47.5% to 14.5 million in 2023, compared to 9.8 million in 2022[11] - As of December 31, 2023, the cumulative number of content creators reached 71.3 million, a 13.0% increase from 63.1 million in 2022[26] Assets and Liabilities - Total assets as of December 31, 2023, amounted to RMB 6,795,272 thousand, a decrease from RMB 7,656,239 thousand in 2022[8] - Current liabilities increased to RMB 1,945,488 thousand in 2023 from RMB 1,824,841 thousand in 2022[8] - Total shareholders' equity for Zhihu Inc. was RMB 4,599,810 thousand as of December 31, 2023, compared to RMB 5,653,696 thousand in 2022[8] Corporate Structure and Compliance - The company operates its Zhihu online platforms and other services through Consolidated Affiliated Entities, which are subject to foreign investment restrictions under PRC laws[91] - The company holds an ICP License, which is required for providing commercial internet information services in China[93] - The company has obtained a Publication Operation License to conduct publication distribution business in compliance with PRC regulations[102] - The Company faces risks related to compliance with PRC laws regarding its contractual arrangements, which could lead to penalties or loss of operational control[105] - The Company has adopted measures to ensure compliance with Contractual Arrangements, including annual reviews by the Board and external legal advisors if necessary[106] Governance and Management - The executive team includes Mr. Zhou as Chairman and CEO, and Mr. Dahai Li as Chief Technology Officer, both with extensive industry experience[171][172] - The Group's management team includes Mr. Han Wang as Chief Financial Officer, appointed in February 2024, with prior experience in investment firms[178] - The Board consists of seven members: two executive Directors, two non-executive Directors, and three independent non-executive Directors[188] - During the Reporting Period, the Board held four meetings, with all Directors actively participating in the majority of them[190] - The Company has received annual confirmations of independence from all independent non-executive Directors, ensuring compliance with independence requirements[194] Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to enhance its monetization model and expand discussions and search scenarios in the community to better serve users and clients in 2024[31] - The Company emphasizes a content-centric business model to create value for stakeholders through sustainable growth and continuous development[181] - The Group is committed to reviewing and adjusting its business strategies to respond to changing market conditions and foster sustainability[182] Shareholder Information - The Company did not recommend the distribution of an annual dividend for the Reporting Period[153] - The Company repurchased approximately 39,758,632 ADSs, representing a total of 19,879,316 Class A Ordinary Shares, for an aggregate consideration of US$41,783,921 during the Reporting Period[141] - The weighted voting rights structure allows the WVR Beneficiary to control the Company despite not holding a majority economic interest[136] Risks and Challenges - The company faces risks related to its corporate structure, including potential penalties from the PRC government regarding its contractual arrangements with Consolidated Affiliated Entities[73] - The company is subject to uncertainties in China's legal system, which could limit legal protections and impose additional obligations[75] - The company's Class A ordinary shares and ADSs have experienced volatility, which could result in substantial losses for investors[81]

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 20-F (Mark One) ☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 OR ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to OR ☐ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SE ...

Financial Performance - Total revenue for 2023 reached RMB 4,198.9 million, an increase of 16.5% compared to RMB 3,604.9 million in 2022[8] - Gross profit for 2023 was RMB 2,295.8 million, representing a gross margin of approximately 54.7%[8] - Operating loss for 2023 was RMB 1,072.2 million, a decrease from RMB 1,603.8 million in 2022, indicating improved operational efficiency[8] - Net loss attributable to shareholders for 2023 was RMB 843.6 million, down from RMB 1,581.2 million in 2022[8] - Adjusted net loss for 2023 was RMB 659.1 million, compared to RMB 1,195.9 million in 2022, reflecting a significant reduction in losses[8] - Operating expenses totaled RMB 3,368.1 million in 2023, slightly down from RMB 3,411.8 million in 2022[27] - The net loss for 2023 was RMB 839.5 million, an improvement from a net loss of RMB 1,578.4 million in 2022[27] - Revenue cost increased by 5.9% from RMB 1.8 billion in 2022 to RMB 1.9 billion in 2023, primarily due to increased content and operational costs[33] User Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAUs) increased by 4.0% to 105.3 million in 2023 from 101.3 million in 2022[11] - Average monthly subscription members rose by 47.5% to 14.5 million in 2023, up from 9.8 million in 2022[11] - Approximately 74.1% of active users are under 30 years old, with female users making up 60.5% of the total active user base[21] Content and Product Development - The company launched its first large language model, "Zhihai Map AI," with over 100 billion parameters, enhancing user experience and content recommendation[18] - The total number of content pieces reached 774.7 million, covering over 1,000 verticals as of December 31, 2023[19] - The company introduced "Salted Story," a premium short story app for subscribers, to expand its content offerings[20] - The number of content creators increased to 71.3 million by December 31, 2023, up 13.0% from 63.1 million in the previous year[22] Revenue Streams - Paid membership revenue surged by 48.4% to RMB 1,826.6 million in 2023, compared to the previous year's RMB 1,230.5 million[17] - The revenue from vocational training services surged by 127.8% to RMB 565.6 million in 2023, up from RMB 248.3 million in 2022[25] - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 1,652.9 million in 2023 from RMB 1,956.5 million in 2022, reflecting strategic adjustments[32] Strategic Plans and Future Outlook - The company plans to expand its market presence and invest in new product development to drive future growth[8] - The company aims to enhance community culture and high-quality content creation in 2024, focusing on professional users and content creators[26] - The company plans to leverage generative AI technology to support comprehensive business growth and improve operational efficiency[26] Corporate Governance - The company has adhered to all applicable principles and code provisions of the corporate governance code during the reporting period, except for the separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO, which are currently held by the same individual[145] - The board consists of seven members, including two executive directors, two non-executive directors, and three independent non-executive directors[147] - The company has established four committees: Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, Nomination Committee, and Corporate Governance Committee to oversee specific areas of the company's affairs[162] Risk Management and Compliance - The company has established a comprehensive risk management policy covering various operational areas, including financial reporting, data systems, internal controls, human resources, and investment management[175] - The company has implemented internal controls to detect and remove inappropriate or illegal content on its platform, including the development of AI-driven proprietary systems[177] - The company has a whistleblowing policy in place to encourage reporting of corruption, bribery, fraud, and unethical behavior, ensuring confidentiality for whistleblowers[178] Shareholder Communication - The company maintains effective communication with shareholders through annual and extraordinary general meetings, announcements, and press releases[185] - The company has established a shareholder communication policy to ensure timely access to important information for shareholders[190] - The company encourages shareholder participation in meetings and has made arrangements to facilitate this[195] Social Responsibility and ESG - The group reported charitable and other donations of approximately RMB 450,000 during the reporting period[131] - The company’s ESG report covers the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, providing insights into its management practices[197] - The ESG report adheres to the guidelines set by the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ensuring transparency and accountability in its disclosures[198]

临近世界读书日，由《新周刊》主办的2023年度刀锋图书奖正式公布。"没药花园"主理人、作家何袜皮所著，知乎图书出版的长篇悬疑推理小说《易碎品》 获得"年度最具改编潜力作品"奖项。 据悉，刀锋图书奖历时三届，已成为国内具有影响力和洞察力的出版奖项。2023年度刀锋图书奖邀请知名作家、茅盾文学奖得主毕飞宇担任推委会主席，与 推委会成员和特邀嘉宾共同推选出15本刀锋好书以及"年度致敬""年度诗人""年度青年小说家""年度学人""年度译者""年度非虚构作者""年度最具改编潜力作 品"等14个单项荣誉。此外，知乎图书也入围本届"年度出版品牌"奖项。 作家何袜皮是美国威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校人类学博士，她痴迷于罪案分析和非虚构写作，因主理自媒体账号"没药花园"为人熟知。她带领团队写下数百件 国内外知名的真实犯罪案件，引发超过百万人的阅读讨论。除了非虚构类写作，何袜皮也擅长在小说创作中挖掘人性。《易碎品》是何袜皮继《龙楼镇》 《为她准备的好躯壳》之后，又一部长篇悬疑推理小说，她将对现实复杂性的关注，与冷峻克制的叙事风格，延续到这部悬疑小说创作中，获得刀锋图书奖 评审团的肯定。 在刀锋图书奖颁奖现场，何袜皮与现场读者分享了小说 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total revenue for the full year 2023 increased by 16.5% year-over-year to RMB4,199 million, with a fourth-quarter revenue of RMB1.1 billion, reflecting a 2.2% year-over-year increase [7][34] - The overall gross margin improved by more than 4 percentage points year-over-year to 54.7% for the full year and reached 59.1% in the fourth quarter, marking the highest level since the U.S. IPO [7][35] - The adjusted net loss for the full year decreased by 44.9% year-over-year, while the quarterly adjusted net loss narrowed by 31.9% year-over-year to RMB91.3 million [7][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The paid membership revenue for the fourth quarter increased by 13.3% year-over-year to RMB555.9 million, driven by a 9.2% year-over-year increase in average monthly subscribers to 14.2 million [21][34] - The vocational training business revenue surged by 100.1% year-over-year to RMB169.3 million in the fourth quarter, attributed to expanded course offerings [34][25] - Marketing services revenue decreased by 18.7% year-over-year but increased by 21.5% quarter-over-quarter, indicating a recovery in this segment [28][35] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The cumulative content creators on the platform increased by 13% year-over-year to 71.3 million, with cumulative pieces of content growing to 774.7 million, a 19.3% year-over-year increase [6][13] - The average monthly active users (MAUs) for the full year increased by 4% year-over-year, while the average MAUs in the fourth quarter were 99 million, a slight decrease of 1.6% year-over-year [6][11] - Revenue from vocational training and paid membership contributed over 50% to total revenue for both the fourth quarter and full year 2023 [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve profitability as soon as possible by optimizing cost and expense structures, focusing on efficiency across all business units [39][40] - There is a strong emphasis on enhancing the trustworthiness of the community and improving the user experience through AI applications and high-quality content [10][39] - The company plans to expand its vocational training offerings and leverage AI technology to revolutionize user experiences and operational efficiency [26][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by a dynamic macro environment and competitive industry landscape but highlighted substantial progress in commercialization and efficiency [5][10] - The focus for 2024 includes narrowing losses for emerging businesses and achieving quarterly breakeven on a non-GAAP net profit level by the fourth quarter [42][44] - The company believes that the unique value proposition of authentic, high-quality content will become increasingly important in the age of AI-generated content [63] Other Important Information - The cumulative discussion volume related to generative AI and large language models surpassed 1.2 billion in 2023, indicating strong community engagement in trending topics [13] - The company has repurchased RMB26.3 million worth of shares, reflecting confidence in its long-term value [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the key strategic focus of Zhihu for 2024? - The CEO emphasized achieving profitability, optimizing cost structures, and enhancing user experience through AI applications [39] Question: What is the timetable for breakeven? - The CFO stated the aim is to achieve quarterly breakeven on a non-GAAP net profit level by the fourth quarter of 2024 [42] Question: How does management view the growth rate of paid users? - The CFO explained that Zhihu's premium content attracts users beyond the community, driving overall content consumption growth [46] Question: Can management elaborate on Zhihu's education development? - The CEO highlighted the rapid growth of the vocational training business and the integration of AI to enhance efficiency and user experience [52][56] Question: What is the outlook for the advertising business in 2024? - The CFO noted that while there are external challenges, the company is enhancing commercial content governance to foster trustworthiness [58]

Financial Performance - Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased by 16.5% to RMB 4,198.9 million compared to RMB 3,604.9 million in 2022[2] - Net loss narrowed significantly by 46.8% to RMB 839.5 million in 2023, compared to RMB 1,578.4 million in 2022[6] - Adjusted operating loss decreased by 27.1% to RMB 887.98 million in 2023 from RMB 1,218.8 million in 2022[5] - Operating loss decreased to RMB 1,072,225 for the year ended December 31, 2023, from RMB 1,603,751 in the previous year, representing a reduction of approximately 33%[34] - Net loss attributable to Zhihu shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2023, was RMB 843,641, compared to RMB 1,581,157 for the year ended December 31, 2022, indicating a year-over-year improvement of 46.6%[34] - Gross profit rose by 27.0% to RMB 2.3 billion in 2023, with a gross margin increase from 50.2% in 2022 to 54.7% in 2023[19] User Engagement - Average monthly active users rose by 4.0% to 105.3 million in 2023 from 101.3 million in 2022[2] - Average monthly subscription members surged by 47.5% to 14.5 million in 2023, up from 9.8 million in 2022[2] - The average monthly active users in 2023 reached 105.3 million, with 74.1% of active users under the age of 30[9] - The number of content creators increased to 71.3 million, a year-on-year growth of 13.0% from 63.1 million[10] Revenue Streams - Revenue from paid membership business grew by 48.4% to RMB 1,826.6 million in 2023[6] - Revenue from vocational training business increased from RMB 248.3 million in 2022 to RMB 565.6 million in 2023[6] - Marketing services revenue was RMB 1,652.99 million, down from RMB 1,956.48 million in 2022[14] - Paid membership revenue increased by 48.4% to RMB 1.83 billion in 2023, compared to RMB 1.23 billion in 2022[17] - Vocational training revenue surged by 127.8% to RMB 565.6 million in 2023, up from RMB 248.3 million in 2022, driven by enhanced online course offerings and contributions from acquired vocational training businesses[17] Operational Efficiency - The total operating expenses for 2023 were RMB 3,368.1 million, a slight decrease from RMB 3,411.8 million in 2022[14] - Operating expenses remained stable at RMB 3.4 billion in both 2022 and 2023, with R&D expenses increasing by 18.1% to RMB 901.5 million[19] - The operating loss decreased by 33.1% to RMB 1.1 billion in 2023, compared to RMB 1.6 billion in 2022[19] Cash and Assets - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to RMB 5.5 billion as of December 31, 2023, down from RMB 6.3 billion at the end of 2022[20] - Total assets as of December 31, 2023, were RMB 6,795,272, a decrease from RMB 7,656,239 as of December 31, 2022[36] - Total liabilities increased to RMB 2,093,662 as of December 31, 2023, compared to RMB 1,961,971 as of December 31, 2022, reflecting a rise of approximately 6.7%[37] - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023, were RMB 2,106,639, down from RMB 4,525,852 as of December 31, 2022, indicating a significant decrease of 53.5%[36] Corporate Governance - The company did not recommend the distribution of an annual dividend for the reporting period[33] - The company has complied with all applicable principles and provisions of the corporate governance code during the reporting period, except for the separation of the roles of Chairman and CEO[27] - The audit committee, consisting of three independent non-executive directors, reviewed the unaudited annual results for the reporting period[29] - The company has adopted a code for securities transactions by directors and relevant employees, confirming compliance during the reporting period[28] - The company plans to continue reviewing its corporate governance practices to ensure compliance with the latest standards[27] Strategic Initiatives - The company launched its first large language model, Zhihai Map AI, with over 100 billion parameters in November 2023[7] - The company is focusing on advancing generative AI technology to enhance user experience and content creation[7] - The company aims to optimize monetization efficiency through improved user experience and support for content creators[7] - The company aims to enhance community culture and high-quality content creation in 2024, focusing on professional users and content creators[13] - The company plans to leverage generative AI technology to support comprehensive business growth and improve operational efficiency[13] Shareholder Communication - The annual performance announcement is published on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange website and the company's website[56] - The annual report for the reporting period will be sent to shareholders at an appropriate time[56] - The company emphasizes the importance of accurate information dissemination to stakeholders[56] - The announcement date is March 26, 2024, indicating a timely update on financial performance[56] - Shareholders can access the annual report on the specified websites for detailed financial insights[56] - The announcement reflects the company's ongoing communication strategy with investors[56]

Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q4 2023 was RMB 1,138.3 million (USD 160.3 million), representing a 2.2% increase compared to RMB 1,114.0 million in Q4 2022[6] - Total revenue for the fiscal year 2023 was RMB 4,198.9 million (USD 591.4 million), a 16.5% increase from 2022[6] - Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2023, was RMB 1,022,163 thousand, a decrease from RMB 1,113,965 thousand for the same period in 2022, representing a decline of approximately 8.2%[18] - Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, was RMB 1,630,000, a decrease from RMB 3,663,000 in the same period of 2022, reflecting a decline of approximately 55%[19] Profitability Metrics - Gross margin improved from 56.4% in Q4 2022 to 59.1% in Q4 2023[6] - Adjusted net loss for the fiscal year 2023 was RMB 659.1 million (USD 92.8 million), a reduction of 44.9% compared to 2022[6] - Operating loss narrowed by 17.6% from RMB 216.3 million in 2022 to RMB 178.2 million (USD 25.1 million)[9] - Net loss for Q4 2023 narrowed by 42.6% to RMB 103.1 million (USD 14.5 million) from RMB 179.5 million in Q4 2022[6] - Net loss decreased by 42.6% from RMB 179.5 million in 2022 to RMB 103.1 million (USD 14.5 million)[9] - Operating loss for Q3 2023 was RMB (350,103), compared to RMB (216,308) in Q3 2022, marking an increase in operating losses of approximately 62%[21] - Adjusted net loss for Q3 2023 was RMB (225,298), compared to RMB (134,079) in Q3 2022, representing an increase in adjusted losses of approximately 68%[21] User Engagement - Average monthly active users (MAUs) reached 99.0 million in Q4 2023[6] - Monthly active users and average monthly subscribers were highlighted as key metrics for assessing user engagement and growth[11] Revenue Streams - Paid membership revenue grew by 13.3% to RMB 455.9 million (USD 64.2 million) in Q4 2023, driven by an increase in subscription numbers[8] - Revenue from vocational training surged by 100.1% to RMB 169.3 million (USD 23.8 million) in Q4 2023, attributed to enriched online courses and contributions from newly acquired vocational training businesses[8] - Marketing services revenue decreased to RMB 465.2 million (USD 65.5 million) in Q4 2023 from RMB 572.4 million in Q4 2022[8] - Paid membership revenue grew by 48.4% to RMB 1,826.6 million (USD 257.3 million) from RMB 1,230.8 million in 2022, driven by a continuous increase in subscription numbers[9] Expenses - R&D expenses increased from RMB 212.5 million in the same period of 2022 to RMB 232.6 million (USD 32.8 million) due to increased investment in technological innovation[9] - General and administrative expenses decreased by 26.0% from RMB 123.1 million in 2022 to RMB 91.1 million (USD 12.8 million), primarily due to a decline in employee-related expenses[9] - The company reported a total operating expenses of RMB 898,554 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to RMB 844,831 thousand for the same period in 2022, reflecting an increase of approximately 6.3%[18] - Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023, were RMB 249,662 thousand, up from RMB 212,495 thousand for the same period in 2022, indicating an increase of about 17.5%[18] - The company reported a significant increase in general and administrative expenses, which rose to RMB 27,662 in Q3 2023 from RMB 18,032 in Q3 2022, an increase of approximately 53%[19] Shareholder Actions - The company repurchased 26.3 million Class A ordinary shares under a USD 100 million share repurchase program, totaling USD 58.5 million[11] Future Outlook - The company aims to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen profitability capabilities moving forward[7] - The company plans to hold an earnings conference call on March 26, 2024, to discuss financial performance and future outlook[12] Financial Position - The company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased to RMB 2,106,639 as of December 31, 2023, down from RMB 4,525,852 as of December 31, 2022, representing a decline of about 53%[20] - The company’s total assets decreased to RMB 6,795,272 as of December 31, 2023, from RMB 7,656,239 as of December 31, 2022, a reduction of about 11%[20] - The company’s total liabilities increased to RMB 2,093,662 as of December 31, 2023, compared to RMB 1,961,971 as of December 31, 2022, reflecting an increase of about 7%[20] Currency and Reporting - The company utilized a specific exchange rate of 7.0999 RMB to 1 USD for currency conversion in the report[16] - The company emphasizes the use of non-GAAP financial measures to provide a clearer view of its operational performance, excluding stock-based compensation and amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions[15] - Forward-looking statements are included in the report, highlighting inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from those projected[17] Loss Per Share - The company reported a net loss per share of RMB (0.94) for Q3 2023, compared to RMB (0.59) for the same period in 2022, indicating a 59% increase in losses year-over-year[19] Share Count - The weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding for Q3 2023 was 297,742,064, a decrease from 304,665,906 in Q3 2022, indicating a reduction of about 2%[19]