Chinese video-sharing platform Bilibili is drawing attention from creators outside China as it expands its international presence. For Indian YouTubers, gamers and digital content makers, the platform could offer another way to reach audiences beyond the country’s established social media networks.

Often compared with YouTube, Bilibili has grown from an anime, comics and gaming community into a broader video platform covering entertainment, technology, lifestyle and educational content. Its growing user base and creator monetisation ecosystem are adding to its appeal, particularly for creators exploring new audiences.

However, there is an important distinction for Indian creators: Bilibili’s international expansion does not mean it has officially opened its platform to India.

What Is Bilibili? China’s Video Platform Explained

Bilibili began in 2009 as a community built around anime, comics and gaming. Since then, it has expanded into a wider video-sharing ecosystem, with professional user-generated content playing a central role.

The platform hosts videos across gaming, entertainment, technology, lifestyle and knowledge-based categories. Its community-driven approach and focus on interest-based content have helped it build a substantial audience in China.

Bilibili reported 376 million monthly active users and 117 million daily active users in the third quarter of 2025. Users spent an average of 112 minutes on the platform each day during the quarter, highlighting the level of engagement it has built.

The company has also developed multiple ways for creators to earn from their content. Around 2 million creators generated income through Bilibili during the first half of 2025, using channels that included fan support, advertising, video commerce and livestream e-commerce.

These figures help explain why the platform is attracting interest beyond its home market.

Can Indian Creators Join Bilibili? Here’s What to Know

Bilibili has not officially launched in India, which is not currently listed among its international markets. Even so, some Indian creators are attempting to access the platform using technical workarounds.

These include Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), sideloaded Android Package Kits (APKs) and changes to phone location settings to access the service and upload videos.

But being able to access the platform does not necessarily mean an Indian creator has full access to its features.

Registration, feature availability and monetisation can vary depending on the market. Bilibili’s international terms also state that users should access its services through officially provided methods.

For creators considering unofficial access methods, this creates an important distinction between being able to upload a video and having reliable, long-term access to the platform’s creator ecosystem.

As a result, Indian creators should not assume that accessing Bilibili through a workaround guarantees eligibility for monetisation or other creator services.

Why Bilibili Could Interest Indian YouTubers and Gamers

For Indian creators, the appeal of Bilibili lies in the possibility of reaching a different audience without abandoning their existing platforms.

Gaming, anime, technology, entertainment and educational content are among the categories that align with Bilibili’s established interests. Creators working in these segments could explore whether their videos resonate with audiences on the platform.

Bilibili has also reported growth in content areas such as artificial intelligence, travel and lodging, parenting and education, reflecting its expansion beyond its original anime and gaming base.

For creators who already produce videos for YouTube or Instagram, Bilibili could represent an additional distribution channel. Instead of treating it as a replacement for existing platforms, creators may view it as an opportunity to diversify their audience reach.

However, the platform’s user numbers in China do not automatically translate into a ready-made audience for Indian creators. Reaching viewers, building engagement and accessing monetisation are separate challenges.

Bilibili’s India Opportunity Comes With a Catch

Bilibili’s growing international footprint is putting the platform on the radar of creators looking beyond familiar social media networks. Its large user base, long average viewing time and established creator monetisation system make it an interesting platform to watch.

For Indian creators, though, the immediate opportunity remains limited by the absence of an official India launch.

Until Bilibili establishes broader access for Indian users, creators will need to distinguish between experimenting with the platform and building a dependable presence on it.

The bigger question is whether Bilibili’s international expansion will eventually translate into a formal opportunity for Indian creators to join, grow and earn through its ecosystem.

Also Read: How to Start a YouTube Channel With Just a Smartphone: A Beginner’s Guide