Zhihu Inc. announced today that its Yanyan Story platform made its international debut at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany, the world’s largest publishing exhibition. The fair hosted more than 4,000 publishers from 92 countries and regions, and Zhihu’s presence highlighted the company’s ambition to bring Chinese short‑form literature to a global audience.
Yanyan Story is a multi‑format platform that spans books, digital reading, audio dramas, and cultural products, and it currently supports 13.2 million paid subscribers. The platform has licensed over 100 works for publication both in China and overseas, with translations into English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, and Indonesian. AI‑powered translation tools have accelerated the spread of these titles, helping Zhihu tap into a market valued at more than RMB 5 billion and reaching approximately 200 million active overseas readers.
In the second quarter of 2025, revenue from Yanyan Story’s IP licensing grew in triple digits year‑over‑year and sequentially. More than 100 licensed titles have already been adapted into film, animation, and short drama, and the platform’s IP titles received three major awards in the 2024 China Online Literature Influence Ranking. Vice President Junmei Fan, Head of the Paid Membership Business, said, “Short‑form literature and IP adaptation are redefining how stories travel across cultures and media. Yanyan Story shows that when technology empowers a vibrant creative community, stories transcend boundaries and evolve into shared cultural experiences. Our Frankfurt Book Fair debut marks a new step in Zhihu’s commitment to connecting creators and readers worldwide.”
The debut underscores Zhihu’s strategic shift toward global content monetization and positions the company as a key player in the international short‑form literature market. By leveraging its expert network, high‑quality content, and AI translation capabilities, Zhihu is expanding its IP ecosystem beyond China, creating new revenue streams and strengthening its competitive moat in the evolving digital content landscape.
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