Douban

Share This
« Back to Glossary Index

Douban, also known as Beijing Douwang Technology[2] Co. Ltd., is a Chinese social networking platform founded by Yang Bo. It was launched on March 6, 2005, and since then has grown to host 150 million registered users and 300 million monthly active users[1] as of 2016. The website[3], which is likened to the review sites IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, features 16.7 million book entries and 320 million movie reviews. Douban has also branched out to create Lüzong, a travel website, and Douban Dongxi, a shopping platform. However, the platform has faced controversy due to censorship issues, including the removal of Renaissance art paintings, keyword bans, and allegations of manipulated ratings. Despite these challenges, Douban continues to be a major player in China’s digital landscape.

Terms definitions
1. active users. "Active Users" is a term that refers to individuals who engage with an online platform or application during a specific time period. This term is pivotal in various sectors including business, academia, and research. In business, metrics related to active users aid in predicting growth trends, customer engagement, and potential revenue streams. In academia and research, studying active user behavior contributes to the understanding of online behavioral patterns. Ethical considerations around active users shed light on the importance of informed consent, data privacy, and confidentiality in the online realm. There are also technical challenges in defining and accurately measuring active users due to varying practices across different companies. Additionally, active user data plays a crucial role in predictive analytics and policy considerations regarding technology use and online safety.
2. Technology ( Technology ) Technology, derived from the Greek words meaning craft and knowledge, is a broad term that refers to the tools, machines, and systems developed by humans to solve problems or fulfill objectives. Originating with primitive tools like stone axes and the discovery of fire, technology has evolved significantly throughout human history. It has been instrumental in different eras, from the invention of the wheel and advanced irrigation systems in ancient civilizations to the birth of universities and printing press during the medieval and Renaissance periods. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century marked a significant shift in mass production and innovation, giving rise to modern technologies like electricity, automobiles, and digital communication platforms. Today, technology is integral to various aspects of life and society, driving economic growth and societal change, while also raising concerns about security, privacy, and environmental impacts. The future of technology is expected to bring even more advancements, with the rise of artificial intelligence predicted to have significant implications for the job market.
Douban (Wikipedia)

Douban.com (Chinese: 豆瓣; pinyin: Dòubàn), launched on 6 March 2005, is a Chinese online database and social networking service that allows registered users to record information and create content related to film, books, music, recent events, and activities in Chinese cities. Douban is named after a Hutong at Chaoyang District, Beijing where the founder lived while he began work on the website.

Douban
豆瓣
Type of site
Web 2.0, Social network service, Online music, movie and book database
Available inChinese
Key peopleYang Bo
URLwww.douban.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedMarch 6, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-03-06)
Current statusActive

Douban was formerly open to both registered and unregistered users. For registered users, the website recommends potentially interesting books, movies, and music to them in addition to serving as a social network website such as WeChat, Weibo and record keeper. For unregistered users, the website is a place to find ratings and reviews of media.

Douban has about 200 million registered users as of 2013 and some Chinese authors as well as critics register their official personal pages on the site. The platform has been compared to other review sites such as IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes and Goodreads.

« Back to Glossary Index
en_USEN
Scroll to Top