Indian creators join Bilibili early

Indian digital creators are posting content on Bilibili, China's YouTube alternative, even though the platform hasn't officially launched in India yet. Travel vlogger Nawnit Kumar Tiwari gained 700 followers in just 15 days.

“I started creating content on Bilibili around 15 days ago and the response has been good. I have crossed 700 followers and received thousands of views.”

What is Bilibili exactly

Bilibili started in 2009 as an anime, comics and gaming community but has evolved into a full video network with user-generated and professional content. It's now available in Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia.

Workarounds needed to access platform

Indian creators are using location spoofing, VPNs and Android package kits to access Bilibili since it's not officially available in India. Some change their phone location to Singapore to bypass regional restrictions.

YouTube tightens monetisation rules

Starting February 1, 2027, YouTube will require new creators to have 1,000 subscribers and either 8,000 watch hours or 20 million Shorts views. These thresholds are double the current requirements, pushing emerging creators to explore alternatives.

India-China ties improve timing

The timing coincides with improving India-China relations, with PM Modi and President Xi Jinping calling for greater business linkages during the BRICS Summit. This thaw could potentially open doors for Chinese apps like Bilibili in India.

Bilibili likely a complement, not replacement

Experts say Bilibili will work alongside YouTube and Instagram rather than replace them, since creators have spent years building audiences elsewhere. The platform could appeal to younger audiences interested in anime, gaming and tech content.

“YouTube and Instagram already have large creator communities, strong audience bases and established advertiser networks.”

Regional language features could help expansion

Bilibili could expand beyond metro markets by offering local language search, subtitles, dubbing and dedicated creator programmes. Its community-focused approach could build niche but highly engaged audiences in India.

TikTok ban still a major hurdle

TikTok remains banned in India since June 2020, raising questions about whether Bilibili can succeed where another Chinese platform failed. The platform will need to offer more than financial incentives to gain traction.