Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the launch of Gaode's "Street Ranking" project, which aims to compete with platforms like Dazhong Dianping by leveraging real user behavior data and integrating it with Alipay's credit scoring system to enhance its ranking credibility [2][3][6]. Group 1: Product Launch and Features - Gaode's "Street Ranking" was officially launched on September 10, 2023, and claims to have over 40 million daily active users, making it the largest food ranking platform in China [6]. - The ranking system incorporates various user behaviors, including navigation and search, with higher weights given to users with higher Alipay Sesame scores [3][6]. - This is not Gaode's first attempt to enter the local services market; a similar initiative called "Gaode Guide" was launched five years ago, emphasizing real user experiences [7][11]. Group 2: Historical Context and Strategic Decisions - Gaode was acquired by Alibaba in 2014, during a time when the O2O (Online to Offline) market was highly competitive, but Gaode chose to focus solely on navigation rather than O2O services [12][16]. - Under the leadership of Yu Yongfu, Gaode's user base grew significantly, surpassing Baidu Maps in active users, but the monetization of navigation apps remains a challenge [19][20]. - In 2022, the global revenue for navigation platforms was approximately $16.2 billion, which is significantly lower than social media and e-commerce platforms [21][22]. Group 3: Challenges in Monetization and User Engagement - The inherent tool-like nature of navigation apps poses a challenge for user engagement and monetization, as users typically do not spend extended periods on these platforms [24][25]. - Despite Gaode's high daily active user count, it struggles to convert this traffic into revenue, as evidenced by the low monetization rates across the industry [20][41]. - The article highlights that Gaode's attempts to diversify its offerings have not significantly changed its core user engagement metrics, which remain focused on navigation [26][41]. Group 4: Competitive Landscape - The article compares Gaode's efforts to those of Dazhong Dianping, emphasizing that while Gaode has a large user base, it lacks the content ecosystem that allows for effective user engagement and monetization [39][40]. - Dazhong Dianping has successfully built a robust user-generated content platform, which Gaode is attempting to replicate but faces challenges due to its tool-centric identity [35][41]. - The historical context of other platforms like Koubei, which struggled to find a foothold in the competitive landscape, is also discussed, illustrating the difficulties faced by Gaode in establishing itself as a leader in local services [52][54].

Core Viewpoint - Alibaba is focusing on Gaode and has restarted its ranking business, which is seen as a complex strategic move to compete with Meituan's Dianping [5][9][26]. Summary by Sections Gaode's New Ranking Business - Gaode launched the "Gaode Street Ranking" on September 10, focusing on three categories: food, hotels, and scenic spots, primarily featuring offline dining rankings [5][8]. - The new ranking system is based on user behavior and credit, leveraging Zhima Credit to ensure the rankings are authentic and cannot be manipulated [5][11]. Historical Context and Support - Gaode previously introduced the "Gaode Guide" in September 2020, aiming to provide decision-making services through a data-driven ranking system [7]. - The current ranking initiative has received significant support from Alibaba's upper management, including attention from Jack Ma, indicating a strong commitment to this project [7][12]. Competitive Landscape - Gaode's ranking system is designed to counter Meituan's Dianping, with a focus on data authenticity to avoid issues of fake reviews prevalent in traditional platforms [11][20]. - As of September 10, Gaode reported 1.86 billion daily active users (DAU), surpassing Dianping, and has over 7 million restaurant listings across China [14]. Strategic Implications - The integration of Gaode's ranking business with Alibaba's broader ecosystem could enhance its competitive edge, potentially linking with other services like Ele.me and Taobao Shanguo [20][21]. - The local life group within Alibaba has shown consistent revenue growth, reaching hundreds of billions in scale over the past two fiscal years [20]. Industry Dynamics - The competitive environment is intensifying, with Alibaba's various platforms, including Taobao Shanguo and Ele.me, actively engaging in the food delivery market, while Gaode aims to fill the gap in the offline dining sector [16][18]. - Meituan's Dianping, despite its challenges, remains a significant cash flow source for the company, highlighting the importance of maintaining a competitive edge in the local services market [25][26].