For years, YouTube was the undisputed king of video monetization. But 2026 is different. Bilibili — often called "China's YouTube" — is moving aggressively into the international market, and creators are starting to take notice.
The platform now has over 370 million monthly active users and reportedly offers creators up to $0.70 per 1,000 views, a figure that has sparked intense discussions among Western creators. A viral post on X stated bluntly: "While YouTube gives you crumbs, Bilibili reportedly offers $0.70 per 1,000 views. YouTube 2012 is knocking on the door. Only this time, it's coming from China."
But the real question for AI content creators is simpler: Can you actually make money on Bilibili with AI-generated videos?
The answer is yes — but the rules are different, and the opportunities are more nuanced than you might expect.
Why Bilibili Is Suddenly Everywhere
Bilibili is not a new platform. Launched in 2009, it built a massive fan base in China around anime, gaming, and niche communities. What is new is its international expansion strategy.
In 2026, Bilibili began offering a simpler registration process for overseas creators, removing mandatory identity verification for international users, and adding tailored features for Western audiences. The platform's signature "bullet comments" — real-time comments scrolling across the video — and interest-based communities provide a fundamentally different feel from YouTube.