Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-07-02 13:21Core Viewpoint - The phrase "forget about search" signifies that traditional search methods must evolve rather than dismissing their value, especially in the context of AI advancements [2]. Industry Changes - The launch of ChatGPT in 2022 raised alarms in the search industry, but significant changes did not occur immediately. It wasn't until July 2024 that OpenAI released SearchGPT, prompting Google to introduce AI Overviews in response. AI-native search platforms like Perplexity have reached a valuation of $14 billion, challenging traditional search logic [2]. - Users are increasingly turning to content platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu for information, moving away from traditional search engines. Baidu faces competition from new AI search players such as Alibaba's Quark, Mita, and 360 Nano Search [2]. Baidu's Search Redesign - Baidu's recent redesign features a larger "smart box" for searches, allowing for over a thousand characters and file uploads, integrating AI writing and image generation capabilities. However, these AI features are currently in a gradual testing phase [2]. - Baidu has accumulated over 100 million monthly active users, many of whom are accustomed to the old search format. The company recognizes that in the AI era, search must evolve from merely "finding" and "knowing" to "getting" and even "doing" [3]. AI Search Product Development - Current AI search products often only slightly modify traditional search methods. True AI search should deeply integrate AI models with search models, expanding search boundaries and enhancing task fulfillment, personalization, content diversity, and proactive creative support [3]. - For instance, when searching for a suitable café, the new engine may provide a comprehensive solution that includes navigation, rather than just a list of links. Additionally, AI features like photo restoration have moved beyond traditional search into the realm of content creation [3]. Commercialization of AI Search - There is currently no established path for the commercialization of AI search. Future models may involve data analysis to present products or services in a more user-friendly manner, balancing advertising with user experience. AI search could also offer intelligent enterprise search solutions and support for third-party developers [4]. - The shift from providing links to delivering answers and content will significantly impact traditional advertising models in search engines [3]. Baidu's Strategic Focus - Baidu aims to maintain a competitive edge by ensuring that essential user functions meet industry-leading standards, rather than trying to excel in all areas. The company plans to adopt an open ecosystem strategy, allowing quality third-party AI service providers access to its traffic [5].