Tencent launches standalone Yuanbao Search website, with AI search enabled by default

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Tencent still has ambitions: 20 years later, it launches standalone Yuanbao Search, bringing AI to challenge Baidu again

Beating News flash,AI,November 11, Tencent officially launched the standalone search website Yuanbao Search (http://so.qq.com）, directly competing with Baidu and Google. The website enables AI search by default, allowing users to enter a question and receive a complete answer with reference sources, then ask follow-up questions. It also retains traditional web search and offers dedicated search options for WeChat Official Accounts, Channels, images, and academic content.

Tencent has even begun directing Sogou traffic to Yuanbao. In some cases, entering keywords into Sogou Search now redirects users directly to Yuanbao Search results.QQ Browser's latest version also supports setting Yuanbao Search as the search engine. Tencent is gradually connecting its existing search entry points to Yuanbao.

The last time Tencent directly challenged Baidu was in 2006, when it launched Soso (SOSO), investing substantial resources in developing its own search engine and recruiting technology executives such as Wu Jun from Google. But it never managed to dislodge Baidu. In 2013, Tencent ultimately merged Soso's search business into Sogou and invested 448000000 USD, acquiring a 36.5%stake in Sogou. In 2021, Tencent completed its full acquisition of Sogou. 20 years later, Tencent has chosen to compete again using AI. This time, it has Sogou's search technology and traffic, as well as the content resources of the WeChat ecosystem. Baidu struggles to fully index content such as WeChat Official Account articles and Channels videos, but Tencent can provide searchable content from those sources directly to search users.

Tencent began developing Yuanbao 2024 search in AI, having already integrated WeChat Search and Sogou Search. In 2025, Tencent opened its search capabilities to enterprises and developers. In October this year, the service was officially renamed Yuanbao Search, with support for integration via API、MCP and Skill. According to official figures, Yuanbao Search has an index on the order of hundreds of billions, handles hundreds of millions of calls per day on average, and supports more than 50 internal businesses, including Tencent Video, ima, and WorkBuddy.

Soso failed to defeat Baidu in 2006. In 2026, Tencent is preparing to use AI and the WeChat ecosystem to make another bid for Baidu's search business.

Original article link:https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/376751

Key points

The report says Tencent launched the standalone search website Yuanbao Search on November 11, at http://so.qq.com。
The report says Yuanbao Search enables AI search by default, providing answers and reference sources and supporting follow-up questions. The website also retains traditional web search and search options for WeChat Official Accounts, Channels, images, and academic content.
The report says that in some cases, entering keywords into Sogou Search redirects users directly to Yuanbao Search results, and the latest version of QQ Browser supports setting Yuanbao Search as the search engine.
The report recalls that Tencent launched Soso in 2006; in 2013, it merged Soso's search business into Sogou and invested 448000000 USD, acquiring a 36.5%stake in Sogou; and in 2021, it completed its full acquisition of Sogou.
The report says Tencent began developing Yuanbao 2024 search in AI, opened its search capabilities to enterprises and developers in 2025, and renamed the service Yuanbao Search in October this year, with support for integration via API、MCP and Skill.
Citing official figures, the report says Yuanbao Search has an index on the order of hundreds of billions, handles hundreds of millions of calls per day on average, and supports more than 50 internal businesses, including Tencent Video, ima, and WorkBuddy.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

The report describes Tencent's launch of the standalone Yuanbao Search website and says it combines AI question answering, traditional web search, and access to Tencent content. It also reviews Tencent's past search businesses and cites figures for Yuanbao Search's index size and internal use.

Why it matters to readers

If the entry points and features described in the report continue to expand, Yuanbao Search could become a new gateway to Tencent's search services. However, the material provides no data on user adoption, commercialization results, or changes in market share.

For beginners, Yuanbao Search is described as being able to answer questions, display reference sources, and handle follow-up questions. Readers can consider whether the sources are reliable and how traditional search options differ from AI answers.

Risks and unknowns

The material does not include a Tencent official announcement or independent verification; the launch date, features, and operational figures still need to be verified.
The material provides no data on the extent of Sogou traffic redirection, user adoption, commercialization progress, or the impact on Baidu's search market share.

Tencent launches standalone Yuanbao Search website, with AI search enabled by default

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