# 360 Search
**Wikidata**: [Q10846064](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10846064)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/360-search

## Summary
360 Search (360综合搜索, also known as 好搜) is a Chinese search engine launched by Qihoo 360, a major internet security and software company based in the People's Republic of China. It serves as a web-based platform for information retrieval, aggregating search results from multiple sources under a single domain. As one of China’s prominent search engines, it competes with platforms like Baidu and Sogou.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: 360 Search (360综合搜索, 好搜)
- **Country**: People's Republic of China
- **Website**: [https://www.so.com/](https://www.so.com/)
- **Inception Date**: August 16, 2012
- **Instance Of**: Website, search engine
- **Weibo User ID**: 2845816057 (verified via Wikidata reference)
- **Sitelink Count**: 1 (indicating limited cross-language Wikipedia presence)
- **DBIS Resource ID**: 11226 (academic or database identifier)
- **Wikipedia Languages**: Chinese (zh)
- **Search Formatter URL**: `https://www.so.com/s?ie=utf-8&q=$1` (template for direct search queries)
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: `/g/11b6v5lk60`
- **ICP Registration ID**: 京ICP备08010314号-19 (Chinese internet content provider license)
  - **Verification Date**: November 19, 2019
  - **Source References**:
    - [MIIT ICP Registration Portal](http://www.beian.miit.gov.cn/state/outPortal/loginPortal.action;jsessionid=IcOFmEJ2GbDUOfTeJydbhbqmCO1EmCj0vOCZfiUbJc2P8c8onp4M!1703347564)
    - [360 Search ICP Details](http://www.so.com/link?m=aPN28X1ZB4D9pHtpwd0WZFzTlFs2%2F0%2F8D26vec150yLYCluKQJkxehEIPI%2FC2cQMzrpRsfPceBvo%3D)
    - [Official Website](https://www.so.com/)
- **Aliases**: 360综合搜索, 综合搜索, 好搜

## FAQs
**What is 360 Search?**
360 Search is a search engine developed by Qihoo 360, a Chinese technology company. It provides web, image, video, and news search functionalities, primarily serving users in China.

**Who owns 360 Search?**
360 Search is owned and operated by Qihoo 360 (奇虎360), a company known for its internet security products, including antivirus software and web browsers.

**What languages does 360 Search support?**
The primary language of 360 Search is Chinese (Mandarin), as indicated by its Wikipedia presence limited to the Chinese language (`zh`).

**How does 360 Search handle search queries?**
360 Search uses a search formatter URL (`https://www.so.com/s?ie=utf-8&q=$1`) to process user queries, where `$1` is replaced by the search term entered by the user.

**Is 360 Search regulated in China?**
Yes, 360 Search holds an official internet content provider registration (ICP license) in China, with the ID 京ICP备08010314号-19, verified by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

**What is the Weibo account associated with 360 Search?**
360 Search has an official Weibo account with the user ID **2845816057**, which is used for marketing and user engagement in China.

**How does 360 Search compare to other Chinese search engines?**
360 Search competes with Baidu, Sogou, and Bing China, offering similar search functionalities but with a focus on integration with Qihoo 360’s broader ecosystem, including security and browser products.

**Does 360 Search have a presence outside China?**
There is no evidence of a significant international presence; its operations and user base are primarily concentrated in China, as reflected by its ICP registration and Chinese-language interface.

## Why It Matters
360 Search plays a critical role in China’s search engine market, providing an alternative to dominant platforms like Baidu. As part of Qihoo 360’s ecosystem, it leverages the company’s stronghold in internet security and browser technology to attract users. Its integration with Qihoo’s antivirus and browser products (such as 360 Secure Browser) creates a seamless user experience, reinforcing brand loyalty. Additionally, 360 Search contributes to the diversification of China’s search engine landscape, offering competition that drives innovation and user choice. Its regulatory compliance (via ICP licensing) ensures legitimacy in China’s tightly controlled internet environment, making it a trusted platform for millions of users.

## Notable For
- **One of China’s Major Search Engines**: Competes directly with Baidu and Sogou, serving as a key player in the Chinese search market.
- **Integration with Qihoo 360’s Ecosystem**: Tightly coupled with Qihoo’s security software and 360 Secure Browser, providing a unified user experience.
- **Official ICP Registration**: Holds a valid Chinese internet content provider license (京ICP备08010314号-19), ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- **Weibo Presence**: Maintains an official Weibo account (ID: 2845816057) for user engagement and marketing.
- **Search Formatter URL**: Uses a standardized query template (`https://www.so.com/s?ie=utf-8&q=$1`) for efficient search processing.
- **Limited Wikipedia Presence**: Only has a Chinese-language Wikipedia page (`zh`), reflecting its primary audience.

## Body

### Overview and Classification
360 Search is classified as both a **website** and a **search engine** on Wikidata. It operates under the domain [so.com](https://www.so.com/), which serves as its primary interface for users. The platform aggregates search results across multiple categories, including web pages, images, videos, and news, similar to other major search engines.

### Ownership and Corporate Context
360 Search is developed and maintained by **Qihoo 360** (奇虎360), a publicly listed Chinese technology company specializing in internet security, software, and web services. Qihoo 360 is known for its antivirus software (360 Safeguard), the 360 Secure Browser, and other consumer-facing products. The company’s broader ecosystem likely influences 360 Search’s design, prioritizing integration with security features and user trust.

### Technical Specifications
- **Search Formatter URL**: The URL `https://www.so.com/s?ie=utf-8&q=$1` indicates that 360 Search uses a UTF-8 encoded query parameter (`q=$1`) to process user searches. This is a standard approach for search engines, allowing direct linking to search results.
- **ICP License**: The registration ID **京ICP备08010314号-19** confirms that 360 Search is legally authorized to operate as an internet content provider in China. The license was verified on **November 19, 2019**, through the MIIT’s official portal.
- **Google Knowledge Graph**: The identifier `/g/11b6v5lk60` suggests that 360 Search is recognized in Google’s Knowledge Graph, though its primary audience remains Chinese users.

### Regulatory and Legal Compliance
360 Search adheres to China’s internet regulations, as evidenced by its **ICP registration**. This license is mandatory for all websites operating in China and is overseen by the **Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)**. The registration details include:
- **License Number**: 京ICP备08010314号-19
- **Verification Date**: November 19, 2019
- **Source URLs**:
  - [MIIT ICP Portal](http://www.beian.miit.gov.cn/state/outPortal/loginPortal.action;jsessionid=IcOFmEJ2GbDUOfTeJydbhbqmCO1EmCj0vOCZfiUbJc2P8c8onp4M!1703347564)
  - [360 Search ICP Details Page](http://www.so.com/link?m=aPN28X1ZB4D9pHtpwd0WZFzTlFs2%2F0%2F8D26vec150yLYCluKQJkxehEIPI%2FC2cQMzrpRsfPceBvo%3D)
  - [Official Website](https://www.so.com/)

### User Engagement and Social Media
360 Search maintains an official **Weibo account** (user ID: **2845816057**), a critical platform for user interaction and marketing in China. Weibo is one of China’s largest social media platforms, and its integration allows 360 Search to engage with users, announce updates, and drive traffic to its search engine.

### Wikipedia and Online Presence
360 Search has a **limited Wikipedia presence**, with only a **Chinese-language (zh) Wikipedia page**. This suggests that its primary audience is Chinese-speaking users, and it has not gained significant traction in other linguistic or regional markets. The **sitelink count of 1** (on Wikidata) further reflects this localized focus.

### Competitive Landscape
360 Search operates in a competitive market dominated by **Baidu**, which holds the largest share of China’s search engine market. Other competitors include **Sogou** (owned by Tencent) and **Bing China**. 360 Search differentiates itself through:
- **Integration with Qihoo 360’s Products**: Users of 360 Safeguard or 360 Secure Browser may find 360 Search pre-installed or promoted, creating a captive audience.
- **Security-Focused Branding**: Qihoo 360’s reputation for internet security may attract users who prioritize safety in their search experience.
- **Alternative Search Algorithms**: While specifics are not publicly detailed, 360 Search may employ different ranking or filtering mechanisms compared to Baidu or Sogou.

### Inception and Historical Context
360 Search was launched on **August 16, 2012**, during a period of rapid growth in China’s internet industry. This era saw the rise of domestic tech giants like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent, as well as increased competition in the search engine space. Qihoo 360’s entry into the search market was likely driven by its existing user base (from security and browser products) and the opportunity to monetize search traffic through advertising.

### Ecosystem and Related Services
As part of Qihoo 360’s ecosystem, 360 Search is closely tied to:
- **360 Secure Browser**: A web browser developed by Qihoo 360, which may default to 360 Search as its primary search engine.
- **360 Safeguard**: An antivirus and internet security suite that may promote 360 Search to users.
- **360 Mobile Assistant**: A mobile app store that could integrate 360 Search for app discovery.
These integrations create a **closed-loop ecosystem**, where users of one Qihoo product are likely to encounter 360 Search.

### Limitations and Challenges
- **Market Share**: While 360 Search is a notable player, it trails Baidu significantly in terms of market share and brand recognition.
- **International Presence**: Unlike Baidu or Google, 360 Search has no significant international footprint, limiting its global influence.
- **SEO Data**: The absence of publicly available SEO data suggests that 360 Search may not prioritize search engine optimization or transparency in its ranking algorithms.

### Future Outlook
360 Search’s future will likely depend on:
- **Qihoo 360’s Strategic Direction**: If Qihoo continues to invest in search, 360 Search may expand its features or market share.
- **Regulatory Environment**: China’s internet regulations will continue to shape 360 Search’s operations, particularly in content filtering and compliance.
- **Competition**: The search engine’s ability to innovate (e.g., AI-driven search, voice search) will determine its competitiveness against Baidu and Sogou.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.beian.miit.gov.cn/state/outPortal/loginPortal.action;jsessionid=IcOFmEJ2GbDUOfTeJydbhbqmCO1EmCj0vOCZfiUbJc2P8c8onp4M!1703347564)
2. [Source](http://www.so.com/link?m=aPN28X1ZB4D9pHtpwd0WZFzTlFs2%2F0%2F8D26vec150yLYCluKQJkxehEIPI%2FC2cQMzrpRsfPceBvo%3D)
3. [Source](https://www.so.com/)