Search engine and web applications
Sogou's web application products are designed to classify online information, such as music, picture, video clip, news, map and vertical information. As of 2017, it has an index of 10 billion pages. As of 2018, over 90% of the company's revenues are from search advertising.
In October 2017, Sogou began testing a general search engine within WeChat, which would allow users to access the internet within the app. Since 2013, Sogou has only been able to search and index the contents of WeChat official accounts. On the first quarter conference call, 2018, Sogou provided an update, resulting in a 30% improvement in click through rate. In September 2018, Sogou disclosed an annual agreement with Tencent to continue the search integration experiment until 2023, with annual renewals. In the same filing, Sogou has designated the default search engine for Tencent's QQ products.
Initially released in 2006, Sogou Pinyin makes use of its search engine technique which are the analysis and categorization of the most popular words or phrases on the Internet. In 2007, Sogou won a patent infringement case against Google for copying their IME.
Sogou Browser
Launched in December 2008, the Sogou browser adopts a "dual-core" (Google Chrome's WebKit and Internet Explorer's Trident layout engines) technique (introduced in 2010[7]) and it connects to the cloud to 'recognize malicious websites and software'. According to Statcounter (November 2019), Sogou's desktop browser holds a 1.6% market share in China and is ranked the #7 desktop browser used in China.[8]
Sogou Voice Recognition Technology
Sogou has been developing voice recognition technology since 2011. At the World Internet Conference in November 2016, CEO Wang Xiaochuan demonstrated a voice translation in both Chinese and English translation with up to 95% accuracy.[9] There has been a rush to partner with manufacturers in connecting devices to the internet between competitors. Sogou is currently China's largest search engine by voice.[10]
Hardware Products
In 2017, Sogou through their Internet of Things subsidiary, sold over 1 million smartwatches in China. The GPS positioning smartwatch focuses on the child market.
On 22 March 2018, Sogou launched the Travel Translator and Travel Pen, which sold out on the first day.[11] The company estimates it will exceed the sales of its smartwatches.
Sogou Lip Recognition Technology
On 15 December 2017, Sogou debuted a lip-reading program that can operate at up to 90% accuracy.[12]
Partnership with Microsoft Bing
In May 2016, Sogou partnered with Microsoft to use Bing to search for English results, and then get the result translated back into Chinese.[13]
Partnership with Tsinghua University
In 2016, Sogou donated $30 million to Tsinghua University in a joint partnership to build an Artificial Intelligence Institute.[14] It currently supports the Sogou Search Engine Technology Joint Laboratory at Tsinghua University. Located on the edge of the campus of Tsinghua University, Sogou recruits and partners to train students in China.
According to the prospectus, Sogou owns 100% of Chengdu Easypay, a financial technology company specializing in micro loans. As of April 2018, Sogou is still awaiting government approval to operate within China. According to the company address, it is located on the 13th floor of Tencent's building in Chengdu in the 'High-tech zone'.
Partnership with Tobii Dynavox
In 2022, Sogou partners with Tobii Dynavox to sell devices which aid in communication to people with disabilities in China.[15]
Partnership with Xinhua News Agency
In 2018, Sogou partnered with Xinhua News Agency to launch an artificial intelligence-generated news anchor.[16][17][18]
