The number of China mobile search engine users reached 590 million in Q3 2015 and the ratio of lower educated users have increased.

China mobile search engine users reached 590 million, a YoY increase of 19.9% and QoQ increase of 3.9% according to iiMedia Research.

The penetration rate of smartphone search users in China reached 88.3%.

With high penetration of smartphones and different mobile categories of apps among the young generation, 26 years old to 35 years old users account for 56.8% of the total, followed by users between 18 to 25 years old (16.5%).

Junior high school and college graduates account for the majority of mobile search engines users. Junior high school students account for 26.3%; and users of primary school and below 10.4%. Mobile search users with low education are gradually increasing, due to the growing popularity of smartphones, integrated functions of the mobile search and simpler operation.

About 76.5% users search on mobile phones every day, of which 65.0% of users search once to five times each day and 21.7% search six to ten times.

Search engines on the mobile end help users get whatever they need any time and any place which provides convenience. Increasing functions and interfaces of the mobile search engine are also main factors for many users. Mobile web browser remains the primary search entry point as adopted by 58.8% mobile search users.

Most users have a specific brand preference when searching on mobile. Baidu still has the largest share, accounting for 44.1%; Shenma, with strong traffic from UC browser, accounts for 17.4%, followed by Easou, Sogou and Haosou. About 40.7% users wouldn’t use other search engines.

71.6% users search for news through smartphones. Local affairs, novels, websites, Question & Answer are also frequently-searched content.

Scanning the QR code to search for information is a widely used mobile search method that 56.8% of users used once due to high accuracy and convenience. 32.1% of users still search by inputting words.

Ads, less optimized websites, slow network and low integration between search words and search content are major existing problems against better user experience.

The rapid development of China mobile search engine industry has formed a relatively complete industrial structure. The popularity of smartphones and technology further promotes the development of mobile search market. How to meet the needs of individual users and properly manage ads placement become main problems of mobile search engine providers.

Also read: China Mobile Apps Market Insights in H1 2015

Qihoo reported revenues of US$438.3 million in Q2 2015, an increase of 37.9% from U$317.9 million in the second quarter of 2014 and 14.0% from US$384.4 million in the first quarter of 2015. Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was US$81.4 million, compared to US$39.1 million in the second quarter of 2014 and US$53.0 million in the prior quarter. The strong year-over-year growth was due to the continued solid performance in Qihoo’s online advertising.

Operating income of Qihoo was US$81.1 million, compared to US$43.9 million in the second quarter of 2014 and US$75.9 million in the prior quarter. Non-GAAP operating income was US$108.9 million, compared to US$69.7 million in the second quarter of 2014 and US$96.5 million in the prior quarter. Total monthly active users of Qihoo 360’s PC-based products and services reached 514 million in June 2015, compared to 496 million in June 2014, among which the number of monthly active users of Qihoo 360’s PC browsers was 388 million with user penetration of 73.0%.

In this Quarter, Qihoo launched 360 Auto Guard (automobile data recorder) and a new generation of 360 Kids Guard, which were well received by users. Total smartphone users of Qihoo 360’s primary mobile security product reached a record high of 799 million in June 2015, compared to 641 million in June 2014. Qihoo was expected to expand its services and brand influence from online to offline and from virtual to real settings through the marketing of smart hardware and smartphones which started to take pre-orders on September 1, 2015.

Qihoo’s Second Quarter 2015 Highlights

• Revenues were US$438.3 million, a 37.9% increase from US$317.9 million in the second quarter of 2014.
• Net income attributable to Qihoo 360 was US$81.4 million, compared to US$39.1 million in the second quarter of 2014.
• Net cash generated from operations in the second quarter of 2015 was US$128.8 million.
• Total monthly active users of Qihoo 360’s PC-based products and services reached 514 million in June 2015.
• Monthly active users of Qihoo 360’s PC browsers was 388 million and user penetration was 73.0% in June 2015.
• Total smartphone users of Qihoo 360’s primary mobile security product reached 799 million in June 2015.

Also read: China Top Smartphone Brands in H1 2015

Baidu released an updated version of its interactive charts creation tool: ECharts, capable of creating 17 types of charts with wide compatibility of all major web browsers.

Let’s see what ECharts can do:

According to DCCI research, the average number of apps installed by China Android users were 29.9. As the chart shown above, 27.76% installed 10-20 apps, followed by 20-30 with 22.02%.

72% users would both use PC and mobile to install app, while 25% said they only used mobile and 3% only used PC.

Third-party app store, mobile assistant and mobile browser recommendations were the three major means to download app via mobile devices in China. And as for PC, mobile assistant, third-party app store and browser recommendations were the three major means to download app.

35% China Android users downloaded app via third-party app store, followed by internet companies with 33%. And 19% would choose download offered by mobile manufacturers. Merely 6% would choose official app download, like Google play.