Sogou (搜狗) : Search engine for the Chinese web, owned by Tencent since a 2021 buyout.

Sogou began as Sohu's web search engine in 2004 and has been fully owned by Tencent since a 2021 buyout, ranking behind only Baidu among Chinese-language services.

Beyond ordinary web results, the engine indexes WeChat Official-Account articles that Baidu and other rivals cannot reach — a signature edge in Chinese search.

The site runs in Chinese only, with no English version, so searching effectively needs Chinese. The brand also fronts a pinyin keyboard app, Sogou Input Method, used on phones and desktops.

What makes Sogou unique among Chinese search engines?

Sogou's key differentiator is its WeChat ecosystem search capability. It can surface content from WeChat Official Accounts, mini-programs, and Moments. It also features voice search and a built-in translation tool. Privacy-conscious users should note it operates under Chinese data laws.

Does Sogou require phone registration?

The short answer is yes - Sogou requires a phone number for registration. International numbers including US numbers are accepted for SMS verification. You can also log in using a WeChat or QQ account as an alternative.

Can Sogou be accessed from the US?

It is. Sogou is accessible from the US without a VPN. It is owned by Tencent and integrates deeply with WeChat, allowing users to search WeChat Official Accounts content. The entire interface is in Chinese only.