Zhihu operates an online knowledge-sharing and discussion community platform where professional and knowledgeable users exchange information and insights through both web and mobile applications. The company generates revenue primarily through paid premium memberships, marketing services sold to merchants and brands seeking to reach its engaged community, and supplementary services within the platform, while also offering AI-powered search and content generation tools to enhance user experience. The business faces competitive pressures from other content communities, question-and-answer platforms, and broader internet services, and must balance monetization efforts with maintaining the quality and user experience of its community.