For years, YouTube has had almost no real competitor when it comes to global video streaming. That’s starting to change. Bilibili, one of China’s biggest video-sharing platforms, has officially relaunched its international app and is now expanding aggressively across the world — hiring staff in cities like Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Mexico City, and Istanbul.
If you’ve been seeing “Bilibili” trending on social media and wondering what it actually is, whether it’s available in your country, and whether creators can make money on it, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Bilibili?
Bilibili is a Chinese video-sharing and entertainment platform founded in 2009, headquartered in Shanghai. It’s publicly traded on both Nasdaq (BILI) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The platform started with a strong focus on ACG culture (Anime, Comics, and Games), but over time it grew into a full-scale video platform that supports everything from long-form content and short videos to live streaming and gaming content — similar in structure to YouTube.
Since YouTube is not accessible inside mainland China, Bilibili became the go-to video platform for Chinese users, and today it reports more than 370 million monthly active users, making it one of the largest video platforms in the world.
Why Is Bilibili Suddenly Trending Worldwide?
In August 2026, Bilibili officially relaunched its international app, dropping the passport-verification requirement that previously restricted sign-ups mostly to Chinese users. The company also announced plans for an English-language interface, a global creator marketplace, and easier onboarding for non-Chinese users.
Another major driver behind this trend is YouTube itself. YouTube has recently tightened its monetization requirements for both long-form and Shorts content, making it harder for new creators to qualify. This has pushed many creators to look for alternative platforms — and Bilibili’s aggressive global push has positioned it as one of the most talked-about alternatives right now.
Important note: Bilibili’s international app is already available in several markets — including the US, UK, and Japan — but its rollout is still uneven across regions. Some countries, including India, are not yet listed among Bilibili’s officially confirmed international markets, though the company’s expansion plans suggest more countries could be added soon.
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Key Features of the Bilibili App
- Long-form and short-form video in a single app, similar to YouTube’s regular videos and Shorts.
- Danmu (Bullet Comments): Bilibili’s signature feature — comments scroll directly across the video screen in real time, creating a much more interactive viewing experience than a standard comment section below the video.
- Creator Hub: A dedicated dashboard where creators can track followers, views, and earnings.
- Follower-based system: Instead of “subscribers” like YouTube, Bilibili uses a followers model.
How Does Bilibili Monetization Work?
Unlike YouTube, which relies heavily on a subscriber count and watch-hour thresholds, Bilibili’s creator economy is built around followers and total views. Based on community reports and creator experiences (not an official published policy), a rough benchmark that circulates among creators is:
- Around 1,000+ followers
- Roughly 100,000 cumulative views
Keep in mind: these numbers are not officially published by Bilibili as fixed requirements — they’re estimates based on creator community discussions, so treat them as a general benchmark rather than a guarantee.
Earnings on Bilibili are calculated in Chinese Yuan (RMB). Community estimates suggest creators can earn a small amount per 1,000 views, though actual rates vary significantly depending on region, content category, and advertiser demand. Creators can track their real earnings inside the app under “Me” → Creator Center → Earning Center.
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How to Download the Bilibili App (Wherever You Are)
If Bilibili’s app is already listed in your country’s app store, you can simply search “Bilibili” on the Play Store or App Store and install it directly.
If it’s not yet available in your region, some users access it using a VPN:
- Install a reliable VPN app on your phone.
- Connect to a server location where Bilibili is officially available (e.g., UK, US, or Japan).
- Clear your Play Store or App Store cache after connecting.
- Reopen the store and search for “Bilibili” again.
- If it still doesn’t appear, try switching your store account’s region or using a different account tied to that region.
Disclaimer: Using a VPN to access apps not yet officially available in your country may go against your app store’s regional terms of service. This is a common workaround for early access, but it’s done at your own discretion. Once Bilibili officially launches in more countries, it will be downloadable directly, without any workaround needed.
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Should Creators Start Using Bilibili Now?
For content creators looking to diversify beyond YouTube, Bilibili is worth watching closely. Competition on the platform is still relatively low outside China, which historically means better organic reach for early adopters on any growing platform. That said, since Bilibili’s international rollout is still incomplete and its monetization terms outside China aren’t fully standardized yet, it’s reasonable to treat it as a platform to experiment with, not a full replacement for your existing channels — at least until the company shares clearer, officially confirmed policies for international creators.
Conclusion
Bilibili has quickly become one of the most-discussed platforms in the video-streaming space in 2026. With over 370 million monthly active users in China and an aggressive global expansion underway — including hiring in major cities and a relaunched international app — it’s positioning itself as a genuine long-term alternative to YouTube. While availability still varies by country, creators and viewers worldwide are already exploring what the platform has to offer.
Whether Bilibili becomes a true YouTube rival will depend on how quickly it expands its official availability and clarifies its monetization policies for international creators — but for now, it’s a platform worth keeping an eye on.
FAQs
Q1. Is Bilibili available worldwide? Bilibili’s international app is available in several countries, including the US, UK, and Japan, but its rollout is still expanding. Some countries are not yet officially confirmed.
Q2. How many followers do you need to monetize on Bilibili? Community estimates suggest around 1,000+ followers and roughly 100,000 total views, but Bilibili has not officially published fixed monetization requirements.
Q3. Is Bilibili better than YouTube? Both platforms have unique strengths. Bilibili’s Danmu comment system and strong anime/gaming community set it apart, but YouTube still has far greater global reach and a more mature creator monetization system.
Q4. Can I download Bilibili if it’s not available in my country? Some users use a VPN to access the app early, though this may not align with your app store’s regional policies. It’s safer to wait for an official regional launch.