Baidu Inc (百度), China’s biggest internet search engine, cut its revenue forecast for the second quarter, saying regulatory restrictions reduced advertising from drug companies and other healthcare groups. Shares declined as much as 8.9 percent in extended trading after the announcement.
Sales are projected at 18.1 billion yuan (US$2.81 billion) to 18.2 billion yuan compared with its previous forecast of 20.1 billion to 20.6 billion yuan. New regulations on online marketing by healthcare companies have caused a reduction or delay in advertisements from a significant portion of medical customers, Baidu said in a statement on Monday.
Baidu cut back sponsored links in the wake of outrage in China over the death of a student who had sought out a controversial treatment advertised among search results. While these actions are likely to have a negative impact in the short term, the Beijing-based search operator said it expects users to become accustomed to the changes and healthcare advertising would eventually recover.
“It will take time to rebuild their reputation with users,” said Ricky Lai, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Guotai Junan International Holdings Ltd (國泰君安證券). “It hurts Baidu’s power and marketing space.”
Baidu last month announced that it would restrict the number of sponsored posts to 30 percent of a results page, and establish a 1 billion yuan fund to fight fraud after the death of Wei Zexi (魏則西), a 21-year-old computer science student. Cyberspace Administration of China said that Baidu’s search results misled users and the company must make it clear when posts have been paid for. Baidu was also told to review its medical advertising to clear up those that do not comply with new standards.
“Baidu provides a strong, unique value proposition to its users and customers by helping users find whatever it is they are looking for, and connecting online marketers with those users,” Baidu chairman and chief executive officer Robin Li (李彥宏) said in the statement. “Although a significant portion of our revenue is sacrificed, the steps we have taken to further bolster a healthy, safe and trustworthy online and offline ecosystem will result in long-term benefit and reward for Baidu.”
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