Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence and strategies of the "Zhengzhou Gang," a group of e-commerce operators leveraging platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to generate significant revenue through standardized content production and algorithm optimization, despite their humble backgrounds and limited resources [4][11][12]. Group 1: Background and Emergence - In 2018, as major platforms like Taobao and Douyin gained traction, Xiaohongshu was initially overlooked, providing an opportunity for operators from Zhengzhou to exploit this underutilized platform [5][6]. - The Zhengzhou Gang consists of e-commerce companies that emerged from a resource-scarce environment, focusing on content production and marketing strategies that bypass traditional advertising methods [11][12]. Group 2: Content Strategy and Execution - The Zhengzhou Gang employs a content strategy characterized by mass production of "water under the table" notes, which are low-cost, high-volume posts designed to generate organic traffic without direct advertising [11][12][36]. - They utilize three classic content templates: reviews, grass-planting posts, and "fishing posts," which subtly promote products while appearing as genuine user-generated content [11][12]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Challenges - As more players enter the Xiaohongshu space, the platform has tightened its regulations, making it harder for the Zhengzhou Gang to operate as freely as before, leading to a decline in the effectiveness of their strategies [7][14][40]. - The rising costs of traffic and shrinking marketing budgets have prompted brands to explore the Zhengzhou Gang's methods, but many have struggled to replicate their success outside of Zhengzhou due to the unique local dynamics [14][28][41]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that while the Zhengzhou Gang's methods may not be sustainable in the long term, elements of their strategy could still be beneficial for established brands looking to optimize their marketing efforts [41][42]. - The ongoing tension between commercial interests and the community-driven nature of Xiaohongshu indicates that the "water under the table" approach may persist, albeit in a more regulated environment [41][42].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence and strategies of the "Zhengzhou Gang," a group of e-commerce operators leveraging the social media platform Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to generate significant revenue through standardized content production and algorithm manipulation, despite their humble backgrounds and limited education [3][5][11]. Group 1: Background and Emergence - In 2018, as major platforms like Taobao and Douyin gained traction, Xiaohongshu was initially overlooked, with only around 10 million monthly active users [4]. - A group of operators from Zhengzhou, an economically disadvantaged area, began to exploit this overlooked platform, leading to unexpected success in e-commerce [5][6]. - The Zhengzhou Gang capitalized on the lack of competition and the platform's initial leniency, discovering a lucrative market niche [5][6]. Group 2: Content Strategy and Execution - The Zhengzhou Gang employs a content strategy characterized by mass production of low-cost, high-volume posts, often referred to as "water under the table" notes, to drive organic traffic and sales [11][12]. - They utilize three main content templates: reviews, grass planting (product recommendations), and fishing posts, which subtly promote products without overt advertising [12]. - The approach relies on a highly standardized and replicable process, likened to an electronic assembly line, where content creators mimic successful posts to increase the likelihood of virality [20][21]. Group 3: Market Dynamics and Challenges - As more players entered the Xiaohongshu space, the platform tightened its regulations, making it increasingly difficult for the Zhengzhou Gang to operate as freely as before [6][35]. - The rising costs of traffic and shrinking marketing budgets have prompted brands to explore the Zhengzhou Gang's methods, but many have struggled to replicate their success outside of Zhengzhou [13][25]. - The article highlights the challenges faced by brands attempting to adopt the Zhengzhou Gang's strategies, often resulting in poor performance due to a lack of scale and understanding of the operational intricacies [25][26]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The article suggests that while the Zhengzhou Gang's methods may evolve, the fundamental principles of leveraging low-cost labor and high-volume content production will persist in some form [39][40]. - As Xiaohongshu continues to prioritize quality content and restrict low-quality marketing practices, the Zhengzhou Gang's traditional tactics may face further scrutiny and adaptation [38][39].