Chinese Video Platform Bilibili Expands Worldwide
Bilibili has dropped identity verification, is hiring community managers in London and Istanbul, and is courting Western creators, in a market where Brussels already fines Chinese platforms. (August 20, 2026)
Bilibili has relaunched its international app without identity verification, plans an English-language website, and is hiring community managers in six cities including London. The company states that content on its international and Chinese sites will be the same.
The video platform is making a serious attempt at the world outside China. The app has been relaunched, an English website is in development, and they are recruiting Western creators to post on it.
A significant change is the removal of the requirement for overseas users to provide a passport or other ID to post content. The app now mixes Chinese and international content in one feed.
Bilibili’s hiring indicates its goals: community manager roles are available in Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Istanbul, and Tokyo, with AI content moderation positions based in Singapore.
Their pitch to creators is familiar. Bilibili has reached out to Western influencers including MrBeast, promoting an audience of "Gen Z Coded, affluent, and well-educated" individuals. They also mention a sponsored content marketplace in development.
American media has compared this move to TikTok’s rise, but Europe operates differently. The Digital Services Act applies from the moment a platform serves European users, potentially leading to audits, risk assessments, and researcher access—a path already followed with Chinese companies like Temu.
The decision to drop verification is notable as a growth strategy and a requirement under the DSA, which mandates platforms assess risks, including for minors. This is a complex conversation.
Competition is also a factor. YouTube battles Netflix for creators and exclusivity, now facing a rival with 376 million users who have made the same regulatory bet as Temu and AliExpress.
Story by Cristian Dina, CRO at The Next Web.
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Cristian Dina is the CRO at The Next Web. He has interviewed 300+ industry leaders and authored the book King of Networking, establishing himself as a highly connected and respected voice in tech. At 23, he was featured on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2025.