SCMP Tech03/06/2026Tech1 min de lectureChina
ByteDance's Doubao Faces User Decline Amidst AI Service Competition
L'essentiel
- ByteDance's AI chatbot Doubao experienced a 1.81% month-on-month user decline in China, a concerning trend in a competitive market.
- Founder of Aicpb.com, Li Bangzhu, suggests Doubao may be monetizing too early, as free AI services remain prevalent.
- New subscription tiers were introduced in May, with plans ranging from 68 to 500 yuan monthly.
Résumé généré par IA
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The 1.81 per cent month-on-month decline was a “worrying sign” for the TikTok owner in a competitive domestic market where user numbers dictated “everything”, Li Bangzhu, founder of Aicpb.com, said.
“The era of free AI services in China is still far from over, so Doubao definitely might be monetising too early,” Li said.
In early May, ByteDance updated Doubao’s iOS App Store page to reveal new subscription tiers. The standard paid plan starts at 68 yuan (US$10) per month, or 688 yuan per year. The premium “professional” plan was priced at 500 yuan per month, or 5,088 yuan per year.
However, its closest rival is quickly gaining ground.
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This article was originally published by SCMP Tech.
