Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the decline of hao123, a once-popular internet navigation site in China, and explores the reasons behind its fading relevance in the era of mobile internet and advanced search technologies [1][10][20]. Historical Context - Twenty years ago, hao123 was the go-to starting point for many Chinese internet users, serving as a simple and practical directory of links [2][3]. - The site was created by Li Xingping, who, frustrated by constant questions from users in a net café, compiled a list of useful links, leading to the birth of hao123 [6][7]. Business Growth - Initially, hao123 thrived by providing a straightforward user experience, becoming a standard in net cafés and generating significant revenue through advertising, reaching monthly earnings of 800,000 yuan by 2003 [7][8]. - In 2004, hao123 was acquired by Baidu for 500 million yuan, which significantly contributed to Baidu's traffic and was considered one of its most successful acquisitions [7][10]. Market Changes - The rise of various web browsers and the shift towards mobile internet began to erode hao123's dominance, as users started to prefer direct searches and personalized content over navigating through a directory [10][12]. - The advent of smartphones changed user behavior, with people opting for apps like WeChat, Taobao, and Douyin for direct access to content, making traditional navigation sites less relevant [12][14]. User Experience and Perception - hao123's attempts to monetize through aggressive advertising strategies, including bundling with other software and homepage hijacking, led to a negative perception among users, with many searching for ways to uninstall it [15][17]. - The shift in information retrieval from "users searching for information" to "information finding users" further diminished the need for a navigation site like hao123 [17][20]. Current Trends - Despite its decline, the concept of a navigation site has evolved, with new AI-driven tools emerging that aggregate various services, indicating that the underlying model of hao123 still has relevance in a different form [18][20].