Qzone, often referred to as China's largest social network, has been the subject of much interest and scrutiny in recent years. One of the most notable features of Qzone is its automated process for triggering moderation on certain types of content.
According to industry sources, when certain keywords are used in a post, the internal software system flags it for review by a human moderator. The moderator then determines whether to remove or unpublish the post entirely. This process has been observed to occur without any prior warning or notification to the author of the post.
In some cases, content held for moderation was eventually published after being reviewed and deemed acceptable. However, in other instances, the content remained "held for moderation" indefinitely, effectively preventing it from being publicly visible.
Another interesting aspect of Qzone is its ability to allow blocked posts to be published in a private view mode, accessible only to the author when logged in. This means that the post will not appear publicly, but the author can still view and manage their content. In some cases, the post may never be approved for public viewing if it is indeed blocked.
Revenue and Profit
Qzone generates revenue primarily through its VIP service, known as "Canary Yellow Diamond." Users who subscribe to this service can fully utilize basic services without any additional fees. The site also earns money from advertising and the sale of virtual items using a coin system called "Q" coins. These coins are purchased with real money.
In addition to these revenue streams, Qzone makes money through platform distributions to different games as well as advertisements. The profit generated by these activities is estimated to be substantial, with over 653 million monthly active users in the third quarter of 2015 alone.
Tencent QQ
Qzone is a subsidiary of Tencent QQ, one of China's most popular instant messaging services. Qzone has been around since 2003 and has evolved into a robust social network with various features and functionalities. In fact, according to some reports, Qzone tops WeChat as China's biggest open-platform social network.
The Evolution of Qzone
Over the years, Qzone has undergone several updates and revamps. For example, in 2008, it introduced a new feature that allowed users to upload up to 100 photos at once. In 2010, it launched a new version of its mobile app, which included features such as video chat and group messaging.
In recent years, Qzone has continued to innovate, introducing new features such as the ability to create custom profiles, share content publicly, and engage in real-time discussions with other users. The site has also become more visually appealing, with a revamped interface that includes a wider range of colors and fonts.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its many successes, Qzone has faced several challenges and controversies over the years. One of the most notable issues is censorship, which has been a topic of much debate and concern in recent years. According to some reports, Qzone has been subject to significant levels of censorship, with certain content being removed or blocked without warning.
This issue has led to concerns about the impact of censorship on freedom of speech and expression online. In 2013, for example, it was reported that Qzone had removed a post criticizing government policies, sparking widespread outrage and calls for greater transparency and accountability.Qzone is an important social network in China, with millions of active users and a wide range of features and functionalities. While it has faced several challenges and controversies over the years, including censorship and moderation issues, it remains one of the most popular online platforms in the country.
As technology continues to evolve and new social networks emerge, Qzone will likely continue to play an important role in shaping China's digital landscape. With its unique features and functionalities, it has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the crowded world of Chinese social media.
References:
- "The Story of China's Biggest Social Network: Qzone" (2013)
- "黄钻贵族,精彩无限" (2016)
- Basic Help 基础帮助 (2008), Tencent. Available at: http://qzone.qq.com/helpcenter/index.html [Online]. Accessed at 20 February 2009
- a b c d "QQ 空间十年了,我们通过 8 个问题重新认识这个依然活跃的社交网络" (2016)
- "QZone tops WeChat as China's Biggest Open-Platform Social Network" (2015)
- Tencent-OUI. "QQ空间单个相册能上传多少张照片?QQ相册最多可以创建多少个?” (2016)
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- "QZone: A Social Network with a Unique Automated Process" (2022)