Zhihu’s Yanyan Story Launches Globally at Frankfurt Book Fair, Bringing Chinese Short-Form Literature to the World Stage

BEIJING, China, Oct. 17, 2025 — Zhihu Inc. (“Zhihu” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a prominent online content community based in China, marked a major step in the global outreach of Chinese short-form online literature by introducing its acclaimed Yanyan Story platform at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany this week.

The Frankfurt Book Fair, recognized as the world’s largest publishing exhibition and a premier international cultural event, attracts publishers, authors, and readers worldwide. The current year’s fair showcased more than 4,000 publishers hailing from 92 different countries and regions.

Chinese Online Literature Broadens Its Global Footprint

The China Online Literature International Communication Report (2025), issued by the Online Literature Center of the China Writers Association, indicates that Chinese online literature currently engages approximately 200 million active international readers across over 200 nations and territories, generating a market value exceeding RMB 5 billion. The report also highlights that AI-driven translation has significantly boosted the dissemination of Chinese online literature, all while upholding human creativity and cultural integrity.

Yanyan Story: Fusing Technology with Community

Originating from Zhihu’s vibrant community ecosystem, Yanyan Story combines narrative craft, advanced technology, and active user involvement to forge an innovative paradigm for global literary interaction.

This platform encompasses diverse content types, ranging from traditional books and digital reading to audio dramas and cultural merchandise, significantly contributing to Zhihu’s base of 13.2 million paid subscribers. Thus far, Yanyan Story has granted licenses for more than 100 works for publication both domestically and internationally, with its online literature offerings rendered into multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, and Indonesian.

The Ascent of Short-Form Intellectual Property

Yanyan Story‘s presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair highlights the expanding global fascination with short-form digital literature, a format that aligns progressively well with contemporary reading preferences. During the second quarter of 2025, Zhihu witnessed triple-digit growth in its IP licensing revenue both annually and quarter-over-quarter. Currently, over 100 Yanyan Story IP titles have been optioned for adaptations into film, animation, and short dramas. A number of these productions have already begun generating income, and Yanyan Story works garnered three prestigious awards in the 2024 China Online Literature Influence Ranking.

Junmei Fan, Vice President of Zhihu and Head of the Paid Membership Business, stated, “Short-form literature and IP adaptation are transforming the way narratives traverse cultures and media platforms. Yanyan Story exemplifies how technology, when empowering a thriving creative community, enables stories to move beyond limitations and become collective cultural experiences. Our initial presentation at the Frankfurt Book Fair signifies a fresh advance in Zhihu’s dedication to linking creators with readers globally.”

Concerning Zhihu Inc.

Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390) stands as a prominent online content community, serving as a platform where individuals can discover solutions, make informed choices, find inspiration, and enjoy themselves. Launched in 2010, Zhihu has evolved into China’s largest online content community, primarily inspired by a Q&A format. For further details, please visit .

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This declaration includes statements that are forward-looking. Such statements are issued in accordance with the “safe harbor” stipulations of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements not based on historical facts, including those concerning the Company’s views and projections, qualify as forward-looking statements. These statements inherently carry risks and uncertainties, and various elements could lead actual outcomes to diverge substantially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Occasionally, forward-looking statements can be recognized by terms or phrases like “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or comparable phrases. Additional data concerning these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors can be found in the Company’s submissions to the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All particulars presented in this press release are current as of its publication date, and the Company assumes no obligation to revise such particulars, except where mandated by applicable law.

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Christensen Advisory
Roger Hu
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