In this article, we'll delve into QQ, who uses QQ, how to set up a QQ account, case studies, and tips about optimizing your website for QQ Channels.

What is QQ?

QQ is a versatile instant messaging platform developed by Tencent, a leading technology company in China. Launched in 1999, QQ has evolved into a multifunctional platform that offers messaging, social networking, gaming, and online shopping services.

Who uses QQ?

QQ has about 730 million monthly users, mostly young people under 30. It's popular for its easy-to-use interface and for sharing large files like images and videos, making it a convenient choice in the workplaces or younger labour force.

Image from User Sign House

Image from Marketing to China

How do you set up a QQ account?

Setting up a QQ Channel account is relatively straightforward:

Visit http://www.imqq.com/English1033.html and click on the "Download" button to get started with QQ registration.

Once the file is downloaded, confirm the installation and open the QQ application. Click on "Sign Up" to begin creating your QQ account.

Follow the prompts to complete the SMS activation process. Select your country and enter your mobile phone number.

Enter the SMS code you receive to activate your QQ account.

Choose a nickname.

Your personal ID will be generated. Make sure to save it securely and create a password for your account.

That's it! Your QQ account registration is now complete.

What are the advertising options in QQ?

QQ is a popular advertising platform for brands targeting Gen Z and Millenials, especially in industries like clothing, toys, and gaming.

The advertising program on QQ, called Guang Dong Tong (广东通), operates within its social network system.

Brands can run various ad campaigns through QQ Zone, QQ Music, QQ News App, and even link ad campaigns to WeChat.

Tencent platforms. Image from PGM Capital

Brands can optimise their campaigns using QQ's intelligent-match algorithm.

The platform offers various ad types such as pop-up ads, banner ads, full-screen ads, and app wall ads.

QQ caters to a wide range of advertising goals, including brand promotion, e-commerce sales, and product promotion, all based on a cost-per-click model.

Image from SDG

Brand promotion ads display on every third page of the QQ homepage to enhance brand visibility.

Image from SDG

App promotion ads are showcased every 7th page on the main homepage of QQ. They can be presented in either graphic or video formats.

Image from SDG

Product promotion ads pop up after a user clicks on a video and swipes to view more content.

Image from SDG

Store ads are used to boost the visibility of your store.

Case Study of a brand effectively utilising QQ: Innisfree

Innisfree partners with QQ for a product launch

South Korea's skincare brand Innisfree partnered with QQ, using Tencent's AR technology to attract potential shoppers especially in the younger, digital-savvy segment

By scanning a QR code with mobile QQ, users are redirected to Innisfree's online store.

There, QQ-themed cartoon characters appear, featuring auto-generated suggested skincare products.

Innisfree and QQ also collaborated to launch co-branded products like shampoos and lotions. Innisfree accepts QQ Wallet payments at its 400 stores nationwide and online, alongside WeChat Pay and Alipay.

How can you optimise your website for QQ?

While QQ is a powerful social platform to untap the new audiences, it’s easy for brands to overlook effectively funnelling traffic to their website.

Optimising your website is essential to unlock the full potential of QQ, particularly if you intend to drive top-of-the-funnel traffic from QQ to the website for conversion.

For instance, your website could be shared via messages on QQ and reached via the in-app browser, which means...

A slow or broken website will stifle conversion in the marketing funnel.

Ensuring your website in China loads quickly and completely in functionality is essential for a positive user experience when visitors land on outgoing links to official pages on social media.

Additionally, an optimised website facilitates smooth integration with QQ, creating a cohesive online presence and facilitating interest conversion from social media to your website and beyond.

Most global websites load up to 5 to 8x slower in China, so optimising your site's speed is to funnel traffic - paid or organic -n from social media to your website.

This is where Chinafy steps in.

By integrating your current techstack with Chinafy, it addresses both speed and functionality through detecting and substituting incompatible resources for swift loading in China.

Read more about How Chinafy works.

Boasting a sophisticated blend of code and hardware, Chinafy delivers China-specific optimisations and a multi-load-balanced infrastructure, leading to a fully-managed site that's 6-8x faster in China.

Ready to optimise your website for China or want to get in touch with QQ expert via Chinafy’s Partners? Click Get Started to evaluate your website with Chinafy.