Core Viewpoint - Zhihu is transitioning from a high-quality knowledge-sharing platform to a more commercialized model, focusing on profitability while facing challenges in user engagement and content quality [2][9][14]. User Engagement - Zhihu's average monthly active users (MAU) peaked at 101.2 million in Q3 2021 but has since declined to 81.1 million in Q3 2024, indicating a significant drop in user engagement [5][4]. - The decline in MAU is attributed to a combination of optimizing advertising spend and enhancing user experience, leading to a reduction in low-engagement users while increasing high-engagement users [5][4]. Business Diversification - Since 2016, Zhihu has explored various revenue streams, including advertising, paid memberships, and knowledge services, with non-advertising revenue accounting for 61% of total revenue in 2021 [9][10]. - Paid membership revenue became the primary income source in Q2 2022, reaching 271 million yuan, a 75.1% year-on-year increase [10]. - Zhihu's foray into vocational education has shown significant growth, with revenue from this segment increasing by 457.14% year-on-year in Q3 2022 [10]. Short Video and E-commerce Ventures - Zhihu has attempted to enter the short video and e-commerce markets but has faced challenges in establishing a strong presence in these areas [11]. - Despite various attempts at diversification, paid memberships remain the most significant revenue source, contributing 57.27% of total revenue in Q1 2025 [11]. Short Drama Market Potential - The short drama market in China reached 50.5 billion yuan in 2024, surpassing the film box office for the first time, presenting a new opportunity for Zhihu's "Salted Story" initiative [14][15]. - Zhihu's "Salted Story" has produced over 100 quality IPs for the short drama industry, with successful adaptations like "The Pen" setting records on platforms like Tencent Video [3][15]. Challenges and Future Outlook - Analysts express skepticism about Zhihu's ability to capitalize on the short drama market, suggesting that platforms like Douyin and Kuaishou may dominate due to their advanced recommendation algorithms [16]. - The company is encouraged to focus on knowledge monetization and original content creation as a sustainable path forward, despite the challenges faced in the current market landscape [17].

Group 1 - Short dramas are becoming essential in the Chinese internet landscape, with Xiaohongshu entering the market by offering 100 free short dramas and various promotional activities [1][3] - The short drama "Chiren Zhi Ai" has become a hit on Xiaohongshu, achieving over 70 million views and 200 million discussions within two weeks of its release [1][3] - Xiaohongshu's strategy focuses on high-quality content, emphasizing 4K resolution and cinematic aesthetics, aligning with its user base's preference for quality [3][11] Group 2 - Xiaohongshu's user demographic is predominantly female, with over 70% of users being women, making female-oriented content crucial for its short drama success [5][15] - The platform has integrated a dedicated "short drama" channel prominently on its homepage, showcasing exclusive titles like "Chiren Zhi Ai" [6][8] - User engagement is characterized by discussions around plot and character development rather than simple reviews, indicating a deeper emotional connection with the content [9][11] Group 3 - Xiaohongshu's approach to short dramas is marked by a focus on quality and emotional resonance, contrasting with competitors like Hongguo, which relies on a free model to attract users [16][25] - Hongguo has rapidly gained traction by leveraging a vast library of female-oriented IPs and a revenue-sharing model that incentivizes creators [22][25] - The competition between Xiaohongshu and Hongguo is intensifying, with both platforms vying for the same female audience, leading to a potential "war for women" [5][29] Group 4 - The short drama market is evolving, with a shift towards character development and emotional storytelling, moving away from purely sensational content [25][40] - Xiaohongshu's commitment to high-quality short dramas is seen as a strategic move to retain its core user base while navigating the competitive landscape [35][38] - The future of short dramas may hinge on emotional engagement rather than just view counts, as platforms seek to create lasting connections with their audiences [42]