(Source: https://pltfrm.com.cn)
Introduction
Video has become the dominant advertising format in China’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem in 2026. With platforms integrating short‑form content, live commerce, AI personalization, and social engagement, overseas brands must understand where to invest for maximum reach and ROI. This article breaks down the key video ad platforms that are driving growth and innovation this year.
1. Douyin — Short‑form and E‑commerce Powerhouse
1.1 Massive Reach and Engagement
Douyin remains China’s leading short‑video platform with hundreds of millions of daily users, making it essential for brand awareness and viral campaigns. Its algorithmic feed places premium content in front of highly relevant audiences, increasing visibility for advertisers.
1.2 Integrated E‑commerce Solutions
Douyin’s native commerce tools — including in‑feed shopping links and livestream product showcases — seamlessly convert video views into purchases. This direct path from discovery to transaction significantly improves conversion metrics for overseas brands.
1.3 AI‑Enhanced Personalization
Douyin leverages dynamic creative optimization to personalize video ads based on user behavior and real‑time engagement signals. Overseas brands that adopt these features often see stronger performance and deeper audience resonance.
2. Xiaohongshu — Lifestyle‑Driven Video and Community Content
2.1 Social Discovery Meets Video
Xiaohongshu combines short video with a lifestyle‑centric community that prioritizes discovery and authentic recommendations. Its user base — particularly affluent urban demographics — values product storytelling and peer reviews.
2.2 Influencer and KOC Integration
The platform’s focus on key opinion leaders (KOLs) and key opinion consumers (KOCs) enables video ads that feel native and credible. This trust‑based engagement often results in high conversion rates for consumer goods and premium categories.
2.3 Search‑Linked Video Discovery
Unlike pure entertainment platforms, Xiaohongshu integrates video with search and product discovery, helping ads align with user intent and research behavior. This offers valuable ROI for brands targeting purchase‑ready audiences.
3. Kuaishou — Broad Reach Into Mass Market Segments
3.1 Deep Penetration Beyond First‑Tier Cities
Kuaishou’s user base spans cities of all tiers, making it ideal for brands targeting volume and widespread awareness. Its slightly less‑algorithmic feed compared with Douyin gives small creative moments sustained visibility.
3.2 E‑commerce and Livestream Conversions
Kuaishou has robust livestreaming and in‑app commerce features that convert engaged audiences directly into buyers. Overseas brands often leverage KOL livestreams here to penetrate emerging markets with localized content.
3.3 Regulatory & Content Context
Kuaishou recently faced regulatory actions urging stronger content moderation, which underscores the importance of compliance and safe advertising practices on the platform.
4. Tencent Video & Xigua — Long‑form and Content Marketing Channels
4.1 Premium Long‑form Content
Tencent Video is a mainstream video platform for entertainment, sports, and TV‑style content. Its ad inventory includes pre‑roll, mid‑roll, and branded integrations in long‑form video.
4.2 Niche Video Discovery with Xigua
Xigua Video (formerly Toutiao Video) leverages ByteDance’s personalized AI recommendations for diversified video viewers. While not as commerce‑centric as Douyin, it’s effective for branding and contextual audience building.
4.3 Cross‑Platform Video Synergy
Combined with social platforms, these channels extend video reach beyond short clips to immersive storytelling and episodic content, helping brands diversify their creative strategy.
Case Study: European Beauty Brand’s 2026 Video Campaign
A European beauty brand entering China in 2026 implemented a multi‑platform video strategy across Douyin, Xiaohongshu, and Tencent Video. By combining short‑form educational clips with livestream demonstrations and search‑linked video ads, the brand saw a 62% uplift in new user acquisition and a 39% boost in conversion within six months.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of China’s video ad platforms — from short‑form viral feeds to long‑form entertainment channels — is critical for overseas brands aiming to scale in 2026. Selecting the right mix based on audience, format, and conversion goals can unlock substantial performance growth.
PLTFRM is an international brand consulting agency that works with companies such as Red, TikTok, Tmall, Baidu, and other well‑known Chinese internet e‑commerce platforms. We have been working with Chile Cherries for many years, reaching Chinese consumers in depth through different platforms and realizing that Chile Cherries’ exports in China account for 97% of the total exports in Asia. Contact us, and we will help you find the best China e‑commerce platform for you. Search PLTFRM for a free consultation!
info@pltfrm.cn
www.pltfrm.cn
