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Baidu

Baidu, Inc.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Baidu, Inc. is a Chinese multinational technology company best known for its search engine and internet services. It also develops artificial intelligence products and services, including large language models, cloud offerings, and autonomous driving technology. The company is headquartered in Beijing and is publicly traded on NASDAQ and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

History

Baidu was founded in January 2000 by Robin Li and Eric Xu. It began as a search engine company and later expanded into broader internet services and artificial intelligence.

Products and services

Baidu provides search, maps, online content services, cloud offerings, and mobile applications. Its broader ecosystem also includes products such as Baidu Baike, Baidu Maps, and AI services.

Artificial intelligence

Baidu markets itself as an AI-first company and has developed AI chips, deep learning tools, large language models, and applications such as its ERNIE chatbot. It also develops autonomous driving technology through Apollo.

Market position

Baidu is widely described as China’s leading search engine and is often compared to Google because of its role in web search and online services. It primarily serves the Chinese market but also has international operations.

Key facts

  • Baidu is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in internet services and artificial intelligence.
  • Its core business is internet search in China, where it is the leading search engine.
  • The company was founded in 2000 by Robin Li and Eric Xu.
  • Baidu has invested heavily in generative AI, large language models, and autonomous driving.
  • The company operates as a publicly traded corporation rather than being owned by a single person.
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Canadian context

Canadian users may encounter Baidu when searching for Chinese-language information, doing business in China, or following developments in global AI and search technology. It is also relevant to Canadian readers as a major non-Western competitor to Google in internet search and AI.

Frequently asked questions

What is Baidu?
Baidu is a Chinese technology company best known for its search engine, along with internet services and AI products.
Is Baidu like Google?
Yes, in the sense that both are major search and internet-service companies. Baidu is often described as the “Google of China,” but it operates mainly in the Chinese market and offers its own product ecosystem.
Who owns Baidu?
Baidu is a publicly traded company, so it is owned by shareholders rather than a single individual. Robin Li is the company’s co-founder and a central executive figure.
How to use Baidu?
Users can access Baidu’s search engine through its website or app to search for webpages, images, news, maps, and other services. It is primarily used in Chinese-language and China-focused searches.
What is Baidu's AI?
Baidu’s AI includes its ERNIE large language models, AI cloud services, AI chips, and autonomous driving technologies. The company describes itself as an AI-first business.
Is Baidu banned?
Baidu is not generally banned worldwide, but availability can vary by country or network. In China, it operates legally and is one of the country’s major internet platforms.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baidu
    Supports: Baidu is a Chinese multinational technology company specializing in Internet services and artificial intelligence.
  2. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/markets/companies/BIDU.O/
    Supports: Baidu is a Chinese-based internet search engine provider with Baidu Core and iQIYI divisions.
  3. TechTarget — https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Baidu
    Supports: Baidu is a Chinese technology company founded by Robin Li and Eric Xu in 2000, headquartered in Beijing, and focused on internet search and AI.
  4. EBSCO — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/baidu-inc
    Supports: Baidu is a leading Chinese-language internet services company known for its search engine and AI-related services.
  5. GlobalData — https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/baidu-inc/
    Supports: Baidu provides internet-related search services and artificial intelligence solutions and is headquartered in Beijing.
  6. Forbes — https://www.forbes.com/companies/baidu/
    Supports: Baidu is a public company offering search and online marketing solutions, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Beijing.