AI Assistant Visibility for Reaching Customers in China

Reaching customers in China through AI assistants works differently from most other markets. ChatGPT is not officially available in mainland China, and Google is not the main search engine there. Chinese consumers and businesses mostly use domestic platforms, including Baidu for search and AI assistants built by Chinese technology companies. If you want to be recommended, you need to be visible in that ecosystem.

Write in Simplified Chinese

Standard Chinese (Mandarin, or Putonghua) is the official language, written in simplified characters in mainland China. Cantonese is widely spoken in Guangdong, and many other regional languages exist. For mainland customers, publish high-quality content in Simplified Chinese written by native speakers, not machine translation. If you also target Hong Kong or Taiwan, remember that traditional characters are used there. Track prompts in Chinese and, for international buyers sourcing from China, in English.

Know the platforms

• Search: Baidu is the leading search engine in mainland China, so your content should be accessible and indexable there, ideally hosted so that it loads quickly for users in China.
• Domestic AI assistants: several large Chinese companies offer their own AI assistants. Check which ones your target customers use and test how they describe your category.
• Social and content platforms: official accounts on widely used Chinese social and messaging platforms help confirm your brand identity.
• E-commerce and review platforms: major marketplaces and local review apps carry a lot of weight for consumer brands and restaurants.
• Media and industry bodies: mentions in Chinese business media and trade associations add credibility.

Markets and sectors

Beijing is the capital, Shanghai is the largest commercial and financial centre, and Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the Pearl River Delta are major hubs for technology and manufacturing. Chengdu, Hangzhou, Wuhan and many other cities are huge markets in their own right. Key sectors include manufacturing and electronics, e-commerce, automotive, technology, education and consumer goods. Be precise about which city or region you serve.

Practical steps

• Show prices in renminbi (CNY, yuan) and mention payment methods Chinese customers expect.
• Use a consistent Chinese brand name; many foreign brands choose one carefully, and it should be identical everywhere.
• Check local rules for websites and online services before launching, and work with qualified local advisors where needed.
• Plan content around major shopping periods and holidays such as Chinese New Year.
• If you are a supplier in China selling abroad, publish English content for international buyers who use global AI assistants.

How Keboost helps

Keboost tracks the prompts customers ask in Chinese and English, shows where you and your competitors appear in the assistants we monitor, and helps you create content that AI tools can find and cite. We never promise placements. Start with a free AI visibility check, and read how to optimize your brand for AI assistants.