Sohu prioritizes 'Focus Flow' as core strategic product
Sohu CEO Charles Zhang has rejected claims that the company is reducing its market efforts, reaffirming that the 'Focus Flow' video platform remains the central pillar of its growth strategy.
Sohu founder and CEO Charles Zhang confirmed that the company is concentrating its resources on the development and expansion of its video-based social platform, known as 'Focus Flow' (Guanzhuliu). Addressing public speculation regarding the company’s direction, Zhang stated that he remains actively involved in daily operations, working over ten hours a day to guide the platform's evolution.
The product distinguishes itself from competitors by deliberately avoiding algorithmic content recommendations. Instead, the feed is governed by user-led subscriptions and interpersonal sharing. Zhang argues that this model prevents the formation of 'information silos' common in algorithm-driven platforms, as the content flow is curated by the specific interests and connections of the individual user.
To drive adoption, Sohu is increasingly bridging the gap between digital content and offline community events. The company maintains that its priority is to build a robust product that meets user demand, suggesting that financial monetization will follow naturally as the user base expands. Future plans include hosting various specialized competitions to further foster creator interaction.