How to start a Bilibili channel and succeed on the Chinese platform

Bilibili It is a streaming video platform which is sweeping China. Similar to YouTube, but with a special focus on community and user-generated content, it has become an ideal space for lovers of anime, technology and Chinese digital culture. If you've been thinking about opening a Bilibili channel, here's everything you need to know about it.

Many content creators around the world are looking to expand their audiences on this platform. However, many of them encounter language barriers and registration processes that differ from other, more well-known networks. In this article, we provide help with all of these questions.

What is Bilibili and how is it different from other platforms?

Bilibili was founded in 2009 as a platform focused on sharing anime-related content. But over time, it has evolved into a multimedia ecosystem that combines long-form videos, live broadcasts and a strong community component. Unlike YouTube, where interaction is limited primarily to comments and likes, Bilibili encourages active user participation through forums, polls, and other gamification methods.

One of the most attractive aspects of Bilibili is its on-screen commenting system (danmu), which allows users to interact with videos in real time. These features have made the platform especially popular among Generation Z in China.

How to register and open a channel on Bilibili

The registration process on Bilibili can be a bit more complicated than on other platforms due to its community policies and specific requirements. These are the steps to follow To create an account and open a channel on Bilibili:

1. First, go to the official Bilibili website and select the registration option.
2. Then fill in the required information, including a valid phone number (preferably Chinese, although some international ones work too).
3. Complete the identity verification, which may include answering a community standards questionnaire.
4. Once registered, you can customize your profile and start uploading content.

One of the most particular aspects of registering on Bilibili is that, in its beginnings, it was required to answer a test of approximately 100 questions regarding platform policy. This was intended to ensure that users understood community standards and promote a more user-friendly environment.

If you want to know more about anime culture, you can check out articles like What is Ahegao? o what is yaoi, which are very popular topics among Bilibili users.

Types of content that work on Bilibili

While Bilibili originally focused on anime, its content is much more diverse today. If you're planning to open a Bilibili channel, it's important to know the most popular formats and content:

• Anime and Japanese culture: It is still one of the central themes of the platform.
• Gaming and technology: Video game streaming and electronic device reviews are widely followed.
• Education and outreach: Courses and talks on various topics are well received.
• Vlogs and lifestyle: Content related to everyday life, travel, and personal experiences.

Bilibili also allows monetization through its rewards system and premium subscriptions. The platform offers virtual currencies that users can redeem for exclusive content or gift to their favorite creators.

For those interested in monetizing their content, it is helpful to be aware of the best anime games, as they can attract a large audience and increase views of your videos.

Is it possible to use Bilibili without knowing Chinese?

This is the big question. It's the one that most concerns those who want to open a Bilibili channel. While it's true that the website's interface is in Chinese, there are ways to make navigation and content consumption easier for those who don't speak the language:

• Some videos include subtitles in English or other languages, if the creator enables them.
• You can use real-time translation tools like Windows 11 Live Captions.
• It is possible to activate the automatic browser translation to better understand the menus and options.

While these options don't guarantee perfect translation, they allow any user to explore the platform and largely understand the content.

Advantages of opening a channel on Bilibili

Starting a Bilibili channel can be a great idea if you want to reach a Chinese audience or explore a new market for your videos. Some of the benefits include:

• Less international competition: Unlike YouTube, Bilibili has fewer creators outside of China.
• Greater interaction with the community: Thanks to on-screen comments and forums, users participate more actively.
• Monetization options: Bilibili offers various ways to generate income through donations and subscriptions.
• Visibility in an emerging market: If you're looking to expand your content to an Asian audience, this platform is ideal.

In summary, we can say that Bilibili is much more than just a Chinese alternative to YouTube.Bilibili is a multimedia ecosystem where the community plays a fundamental role in the creation and dissemination of content. If you're looking to expand your reach and reach a Chinese audience, opening a Bilibili channel can be an excellent strategy.