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Tencent’s Yuanbao tops Apple’s China App Store, surpassing DeepSeek
Tencent's AI chatbot app, Yuanbao, has become the top free app in Apple's China App Store by March 3, surpassing competitors DeepSeek and Doubao. Rapid updates and a strong marketing push contributed to its rise, with Tencent spending RMB 2.81 billion on advertising over 27 days.
Key points
- Yuanbao ranked first on Apple’s China App Store as of March 3, overtaking DeepSeek and Doubao.
- Yuanbao climbed to the No. 2 spot on February 22, 10 days prior to reaching the top.
- The app's updates included the integration of the Hunyuan model and image comprehension features.
- A PC version for Windows and macOS was released on March 1.
- Tencent invested RMB 2.81 billion ($390 million) in advertising to promote Yuanbao, primarily after February 13.
Why it matters
- AI chatbots have been a significant trend in 2025, with major companies vying for market dominance.
- The rise of Yuanbao reflects the growing importance of integrated AI solutions within established tech ecosystems.
- Tencent's marketing strategy highlights the increasing investment in digital advertising within the tech industry.
Yuanbao's rapid ascent in the app market illustrates the competitive landscape of AI chatbot technology and the critical role of advertising and integrated features in achieving success.