China Short Video Industry 2025: Creator Economy and Monetization
China's short video industry maintained its position as the dominant form of digital content consumption in 2025, with combined DAU exceeding 1 billion across major platforms. AI-powered content creation tools, diversified monetization channels, and the integration of e-commerce continued to drive industry growth and creator earnings.
TL;DR
China's short video industry reached RMB 980 billion in revenue in 2025. Combined DAU exceeded 1.1 billion. AI-generated short video content grew to 15 percent of total uploads. Creator economy payouts reached RMB 120 billion.
Key Insights
Industry Revenue
Short video industry revenue reached RMB 980 billion, driven by advertising (55 percent), e-commerce (30 percent), and value-added services (15 percent).
Combined DAU
Combined daily active users across Douyin, Kuaishou, WeChat Channels, and Bilibili short video exceeded 1.1 billion, with average usage time of 125 minutes per day.
AI Content
AI-generated or AI-assisted short video content accounted for 15 percent of all uploads, with AI editing tools used by 65 percent of active creators.
Creator Earnings
Total creator payouts from platform monetization programs reached RMB 120 billion, with the top 1 percent of creators earning over RMB 1 million annually.
Ad Revenue
Short video advertising revenue reached RMB 540 billion, surpassing traditional TV advertising for the first time and claiming 35 percent of total digital ad spending.
Short Video E-Commerce
Short video e-commerce GMV reached RMB 3.2 trillion, with shoppable video content driving 25 percent of all purchases on short video platforms.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Platform | DAU (M) | Avg Time (min) | Monetization | Creator Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douyin | 750M+ | 135 | Ads, commerce, tips | RMB 65B |
| Kuaishou | 400M+ | 120 | Ads, commerce, live | RMB 28B |
| WeChat Channels | 500M+ | 45 | Commerce, ads | RMB 15B |
| Bilibili | 120M+ | 95 | Ads, membership | RMB 8B |
| Xiaohongshu | 200M+ | 55 | Ads, commerce | RMB 4B |
Frequently Asked Questions
China's short video industry generated RMB 980 billion in revenue in 2025, making it one of the largest digital content markets globally. Combined DAU exceeds 1.1 billion across platforms, with users spending an average of 125 minutes daily watching short videos.
Creators monetize through multiple channels: advertising revenue sharing (55 percent of industry revenue), e-commerce commissions (30 percent), virtual gifts and tipping during live streams, brand sponsorships, paid content subscriptions, and platform creator funds. Top creators earn from diversified income streams.
AI plays an increasingly important role: AI editing tools auto-generate captions, effects, and music; AI recommendation engines optimize content distribution; AI-generated virtual avatars create content 24/7; and AI-powered analytics help creators optimize posting times and content formats. About 15 percent of short video uploads are AI-generated or heavily AI-assisted.