While Google dominates global search, cracking Baidu’s algorithm remains critical for success in China. Many international websites struggle with low indexing rates due to technical, linguistic, and cultural barriers. Here’s how to optimize your site for those crawlers and improve page indexation on Baidu.
1. Technical Foundations: Make Crawlers Love You Initiates Page Indexation on Baidu
Baidu prioritizes websites that align with its technical preferences:
- Hosting Location:
Baidu’s spiders crawl slower for overseas servers. Use a Chinese CDN (e.g., Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud) or host your site in mainland China. - Baidu Webmaster Tools:
Register and verify your site via Baidu Webmaster Tools. Submit XML sitemaps and monitor crawl errors. - Mobile-First Indexing:
Ensure mobile responsiveness. Baidu’s ‘Mobile-First Index’ penalizes non-mobile-friendly sites. - Avoid JavaScript-Heavy Frameworks:
Baidu struggles to render SPAs (Single-Page Apps). Use server-side rendering (SSR) for dynamic content.
2. Content Localization: Speak Baidu’s Language
Localization goes beyond translation. Baidu rewards content tailored to Chinese search intent:
- Keyword Strategy:
Use Baidu-specific tools like Baidu Keyword Planner identify high-volume, low-competition keywords. Avoid direct translations. - Cultural Relevance:
Adapt case studies to include Chinese clients. Baidu’s algorithm favors locally resonant examples.
3. Speed Optimization: Win the Loading Race
Baidu prioritizes sites with load times under 2 seconds:
- Enable HTTP/3:
Reduce latency for international users accessing China-hosted sites. - Compress Images:
Use WebP format and lazy loading. Baidu’s crawlers penalize oversized media files. - Minify Code:
Remove unused CSS/JS and leverage Baidu’s MIP (Mobile Instant Pages) framework.
4. Backlink Building: Earn Trust in the Chinese Ecosystem
Baidu values backlinks from authoritative Chinese domains:
- Guest Blogging:
Publish guest posts on popular forums and blogs with links to your site. - Leverage Vertical Sites:
List your company on vertical sites with optimized anchor text. Baidu favors this a lot.
5. Baidu-Specific SEO Tactics
- Baidu MIP (Mobile Instant Pages):
Implement MIP to accelerate mobile page speeds and earn priority indexing. - Structured Data:
Use Baidu’s JSON-LD schema for products/services to enhance rich snippet visibility. - Regular Updates:
Baidu favors frequently updated content. Publish blogs targeting long-tail keywords regularly(Daily would be great).
Case Study: A Global Logistics Service Provider
This company increased Baidu-indexed pages from 40 to 50100 in 12 months by:
- Migrating to a server in Shanghai
- Rewriting service pages in Simplified Chinese with Baidu-optimized keywords
- Acquiring backlinks from vertical sites
More to Think About Page Indexation on Baidu
- ICP License:
How important is an ICP license? While not mandatory for indexing, hosting in China without an ICP license risks sudden takedowns. - Blocking Baidu Crawlers:
Double-check robots.txt and firewall settings to allow Baidu’s user agent (Baiduspider). - Overusing VPNs:
Testing your site via VPNs can distort Baidu’s geolocation-based rankings.
By aligning with Baidu’s technical requirements and cultural nuances, international brands can unlock China’s 1 billion internet users. Start auditing your site today—Baidu’s first-mover advantage is real. Once your website is great at page indexation on Baidu, the gate to organic growth is opening.
Need help? If you desire to know more about our Baidu SEO services, please feel free to reach us via service@baiduseopro.com
