Maimai: China's Answer to LinkedIn for Professional Networking
Maimai is China's professional networking app with 100M+ users. Compare Maimai with LinkedIn, BOSS Zhipin, and脉脉 for career networking in China.
TL;DR
Key Insights
Maimai User Base
Maimai has over 100 million registered users, primarily mid-career professionals and senior executives in China's tech, finance, and manufacturing sectors. The platform has strong presence in tier-1 cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. Over 80 percent of Fortune 500 China employees are verified Maimai users.
Anonymous Workplace Forum
Maimai's anonymous discussion forums are its signature feature. Employees discuss company culture, leadership, salary, layoffs, and industry trends without revealing their identity. This transparency has made Maimai controversial with some employers but extremely popular with workers. Companies cannot identify who posted negative reviews.
Verified Employment Network
Maimai verifies user identity through corporate email verification. This ensures discussions come from real employees. Verified users get access to more features including salary data and private company reviews. The verification system covers over 200,000 companies in China.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Maimai | BOSS Zhipin | Lagou | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Users | 100M+ | 900M+ (global) | 300M+ | 50M+ |
| Core Feature | Anonymous workplace discussion | Professional networking | Direct job chat | Tech job board |
| Anonymous Posting | Yes | Limited | No | No |
| Salary Data | Yes (anonymous) | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| China Coverage | Strongest | Limited ( withdrew 2021) | Strongest | Strong (tech) |
| Cost | Free + VIP | Free + Premium | Free | Free |
| Foreign-Friendly | Limited | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Best For | Workplace insights + networking | Global networking | Job applications | Tech jobs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Maimai (脉脉) is China's leading professional networking and workplace social platform with over 100 million registered users. Founded in 2013, it combines elements of LinkedIn with anonymous workplace discussions. Users can verify their employment, network with colleagues in the same industry, and discuss workplace topics anonymously.
Maimai differs from LinkedIn in several key ways: it emphasizes anonymous workplace discussions where employees share salary information and company reviews without fear. Maimai verifies users' employment through corporate email. It is more focused on China's domestic job market. LinkedIn withdrew its China-specific service in 2021, giving Maimai a dominant position.
Yes, salary transparency is one of Maimai's most popular features. Verified employees anonymously share their compensation packages including base salary, bonuses, stock options, and benefits. Users can browse average salaries by company, position, and experience level. This has made Maimai the go-to platform for salary research in China.
Maimai is primarily Chinese-language and focused on the domestic Chinese job market. Foreigners working in China who speak Chinese may find it useful for networking and salary research. For international professional networking, LinkedIn remains the better option. Some multinational companies in China post positions on both platforms.