| Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2021 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs. All inter-company transactions and balances between the Company, its subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs are eliminated upon consolidation. The Company included the results of operations of the acquired businesses from their respective dates of acquisition. |
| Comparative Information | Comparative Information Certain items in the financial information of the VIEs and VIEs’ subsidiaries have been adjusted to conform with the current year’s presentation to facilitate comparison. |
| Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Management evaluates estimates, including those related to the standalone selling prices of performance obligations and amounts of variable considerations of revenue contracts, the allowance for credit losses of accounts receivable, contract assets, receivables from online payment agencies, amounts due from related parties and debt securities, fair values of certain debt and equity investments, future viewership consumption patterns and useful lives of licensed copyrights and produced content, future revenues generated by the broadcasting and sublicensing rights of content assets (licensed and produced), ultimate revenue of produced content predominantly monetized on its own, fair values of licensed copyrights and produced contents monetized as a film group or individually, fair value of nonmonetary content exchanges, the useful lives of our property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, long-term investments and goodwill, the purchase price allocation and fair value of pre-existing |
| Change in Accounting Estimate | Change in Accounting Estimate In 2021, the Company reviewed and revised the estimated useful life of its servers from four years to five years. As a result of these revisions, depreciation expense decreased by RMB982 million (US$154 million), net income increased by RMB814 million (US$128 million), and basic and diluted net earnings per Class A and Class B ordinary share increased by RMB0.28 (US$0.04) and RMB0.28 (US$0.04), respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
| Currency Translation For Financial Statements Presentation | Currency Translation for Financial Statements Presentation Translations of amounts from RMB into US dollar $ (USD) for the convenience of the reader have been calculated at the exchange rate of RMB6.3726 per US$1.00 on December 30 |
| Foreign Currency | Foreign Currency The Company’s functional currency is the US$. The Company’s subsidiaries, VIEs and subsidiaries of the VIEs determine their functional currencies based on the criteria of ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters comprehensive (loss) income. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are measured and recorded into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses are included in earnings as a component of “Other (loss) income, net.” |
| Segment Reporting | Segment Reporting As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company had two reportable segments, Baidu Core and iQIYI. Baidu Core mainly provides search-based, feed-based and other online marketing services, as well as products and services from its new AI initiatives. iQIYI is an online entertainment service provider that offers original, professionally produced and partner-generated content on its platform. In early April 2018, iQIYI completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) on the Nasdaq Global Market. The Company’s chief executive officer, who has been identified as the chief operating decision marker (“CODM”), reviews the operating results of Baidu Core and iQIYI, to allocate resources and assess the Company’s performance. Accordingly, the financial statements include segment information which reflects the current composition of the reportable segments in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. |
| Business Combinations | Business Combinations The Company accounts for its business combinations using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations In a business combination achieved in stages, the Company remeasures its previously held equity interest in the acquiree immediately before obtaining control at its acquisition-date fair value and the re-measurement The determination and allocation of fair values to the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interests is based on various assumptions and valuation methodologies requiring considerable judgment from management. The most significant variables in these valuations are discount rates, the number of years on which to base the cash flow projections, as well as the assumptions and estimates used to determine the cash inflows and outflows. The Company determines discount rates to be used based on the risk inherent in the related activity’s current business model and industry comparisons. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash | Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash, money market funds, investments in interest bearing demand deposit accounts, time deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase and are stated at cost which approximates their fair value. Restricted cash Restricted cash mainly represents amounts deposited and held in escrow for the live |
| Accounts Receivable and Contract Asset, net | Accounts Receivable and Contract Assets, net Accounts receivable and contract assets are recognized and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for credit losses. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses in accordance with ASC Topic 326, Credit Losses |
| Receivables from Online Payment Agencies, net | Receivables from Online Payment Agencies, net Receivables from online payment agencies are funds due from the third-party online payment service providers for clearing transactions. Funds were paid or deposited by customers or users through these online payment agencies for services provided by the Company. The Company considers and monitors the credit worthiness of the third-party payment service providers and recognizes credit losses based on ongoing credit evaluations. Receivable balances are written off when they are deemed uncollectible. The balances are included in “Other current assets, net” on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, no allowance for credit losses was provided for the receivables from online payment agencies. |
| Investments | Investments Short-term All highly liquid investments with original maturities less than twelve months are classified as short-term investments. Investments that are expected to be realized in cash during the next twelve months are also included in short-term investments. The Company accounts for short-term debt investments in accordance with ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt Securitie . held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, Securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity Securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities, in accordance with ASC 320. Unrealized holding gains and losses for trading securities are included in earnings. Debt investments not classified as trading or as held-to-maturity available-for-sale The allowance for credit losses of the held-to-maturity held-to-maturity held-to-maturity 285 million and 338 million (US$53 million), respectively. Long-term investments The Company’s long-term investments consist of equity method investments, equity investments with readily determinable fair value, equity investments without readily determinable fair value, equity investments in private equity funds, held-to-maturity available-for-sale Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or control are accounted for using the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC Topic 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures to those investments of a lower liquidation preference before being further applied to the investments of a higher liquidation preference. The Company adopted a one-quarter The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment at each reporting date, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. Factors considered by the Company when determining whether an investment has been other-than-temporarily-impaired, include, but are not limited to, the length of the time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost, the financial condition prospects For equity i Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures For equity securities without readily determinable fair value and do not qualify for the NAV practical expedient, the Company elected to use the measurement alternative to measure those investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, if any. Significant judgments are required to determine (i) whether observable price changes are orderly transactions and identical or similar to an investment held by the Company; and (ii) the selection of appropriate valuation methodologies and underlying assumptions, including expected volatility and the probability of exit events as it relates to liquidation and redemption features used to measure the price adjustments for the difference in rights and obligations between instruments. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value, and any changes in fair value are recognized in “Others, net” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For equity investments measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, the Company does not assess whether those securities are impaired. For equity investments that the Company elects to use the measurement alternative, the Company makes a qualitative assessment considering impairment indicators to evaluate whether investments are impaired at each reporting date. Impairment indicators considered include, but are not limited to, a significant deterioration in the earnings performance or business prospects of the investee, including factors that raise significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technologic environment of the investee and a significant adverse change in the general market condition of either the geographical area or the industry in which the investee operates. If a qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired, the entity has to estimate the investment’s fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820. If the fair value is less than the investment’s carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 946-320, Financial Services—Investment Companies, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities 946-320”) , values re-measured Investments that the Company has positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity Available-for-sale |
| Recently adopted accounting pronouncements | Adoption of ASU 2020-01 In January 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)—Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815 (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) Financial Instruments |
| Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments | Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments Financial instruments are in the form of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, amounts due from and due to related parties, other receivables, long-term investments, short-term loans, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, customer deposits, derivative instruments, notes payable, convertible senior notes and long-term loans. Except for the current portion of long-term loans and notes payables, the carrying values of the aforementioned financial instruments included in current assets and liabilities approximate their respective fair values because of their general short maturities. The carrying amounts of long-term loans approximate fair values as the related interest rates currently offered by financial institutions for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities. The fair value of long-term investments, notes payable and convertible senior notes that are not reported at fair value are disclosed in Note 25. |
| Fixed Assets | Fixed Assets Fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related lease, as follows:
Office building – 43 to 45 years
Office building related facility, machinery and equipment – 10 to 15 years
Computer equipment – 3 to 5 years
Office equipment – 3 to 5 years
Vehicles – 5 years
Leasehold improvements – over the shorter of lease terms or estimated useful lives of the assets Fixed assets have no estimated residual value except for the office building and its related facility, machinery and equipment, which mainly have an estimated residual value of 4% of the cost. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas the cost of renewals and betterments that extend the useful life of fixed assets are capitalized as additions to the related assets. Retirements, sales and disposals of assets are recorded by removing the cost and accumulated depreciation from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts with any resulting gain or loss reflected in earnings. All direct and indirect costs that are related to the construction of fixed assets and incurred before the assets are ready for their intended use are capitalized as construction in progress. Construction in progress is transferred to specific fixed assets items and depreciation of these assets commences when they are ready for their intended use. Interest costs are capitalized if they are incurred during the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset and such costs could have been avoided if expenditures for the assets have not been made. Capitalization of interest costs commences when the activities to prepare the asset are in progress and expenditures and borrowing costs are being incurred. Interest costs are capitalized until the assets are ready for their intended use. Interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were insignificant. |
| Licensed Copyrights, net | Licensed Copyrights, net Licensed copyrights consist of professionally-produced content such as films, television series, variety shows and other video content acquired from external parties. The license fees are capitalized and, unless prepaid, a corresponding liability is recorded when the cost of the content is known, the content is accepted by the Company in accordance with the conditions of the license agreement and the content is available for its first showing on the Company’s websites. Licensed copyrights are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as current and non-current The Company’s licensed copyrights include the right to broadcast and, in some instances, the right to sublicense. The broadcasting right, refers to the right to broadcast the content on its own websites and the sublicensing right, refers to the right to sublicense the underlying content to external parties. When licensed copyrights include both broadcasting and sublicensing rights, the content costs are allocated to these two rights upon initial recognition, based on the relative proportion of the estimated total revenues that will be generated by each right over its estimated useful lives. For the right to broadcast the contents on its own websites that generates online advertising and membership services revenues, based on factors including historical and estimated future viewership patterns, the content costs are amortized using an accelerated method by content categories over the shorter of each content’s contractual period or estimated useful lives within ten years, beginning with the month of first availability. Content categories accounting for most of the Company’s content include newly released drama series, newly released movies, animations, library drama series and library movies. Estimates of future viewership consumption patterns and estimated useful lives are reviewed periodically, at least on an annual basis and revised, if necessary. Revisions to the amortization patterns are accounted for as a change in accounting estimate prospectively in accordance with ASC Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections Cash paid for content, which includes both licensed copyrights and produced content, is RMB19.3 billion (US$3.0 billion) for the year ended December 31, 2021. |
| Produced Content, net | Produced Content, net The Company produces original content in-house Based on factors including historical and estimated future viewership consumption patterns, the Company amortizes film costs for produced content that is predominantly monetized in a film group. For produced content that is monetized on its own, the Company considers historical and estimated usage patterns to determine the pattern of amortization for film costs. Based on the estimated patterns, the Company amortizes produced content using an accelerated method over its estimated useful lives within ten years, beginning with the month of first availability and such costs are included in “Cost of revenues” in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). |
| Impairment of licensed copyrights and produced contents | Impairment of licensed copyrights and produced contents The Company’s business model is mainly subscription and advertising based, as such the majority of the Company’s content assets (licensed copyrights and produced content) are predominantly monetized with other content assets, whereas a smaller portion of the Company’s content assets are predominantly monetized at a specific title level such as variety shows and investments in a proportionate share of certain rights to films including profit sharing, distribution and/or other rights. Because the identifiable cash flows related to content launched on the Company’s Mainland China platform are largely independent of the cash flows of other content launched on the Company’s overseas platform, the Company has identified two separate film groups. The Company reviews its film groups and individual content for impairment when there are events or changes in circumstances that indicate the fair value of a film group or individual content may be less than its unamortized costs. Examples of such events or changes in circumstances include, a significant adverse change in technological, regulatory, legal, economic, or social factors that could affect the fair value of the film group or the public’s perception of a film or the availability of a film for future showings, a significant decrease in the number of subscribers or forecasted subscribers, or the loss of a major distributor, a change in the predominant monetization strategy of a film that is currently monetized on its own, actual costs substantially in excess of budgeted costs, substantial delays in completion or release schedules, or actual performance subsequent to release failing to meet expectations set before release such as a significant decrease in the amount of ultimate revenue expected to be recognized. When such events or changes in circumstances are identified, the Company assesses whether the fair value of an individual content (or film group) is less than its unamortized film costs, determines the fair value of an individual content (or film group) and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the unamortized capitalized costs exceed the individual content’s (or film group’s) fair value. The Company mainly uses a discounted cash flow approach to determine the fair value of an individual content or film group, for which the most significant inputs include the forecasted future revenues, costs and operating expenses attributable to an individual content or the film group and the discount rate. An impairment loss attributable to a film group is allocated to individual licensed copyrights and produced content within the film group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying values of those assets as the Company cannot estimate the fair value of individual contents in the film group without undue cost and effort. |
| Impact of COVID-19 | Impact of COVID-19 The COVID-19 COVID-19’s COVID-19, COVID-19 COVID-19, |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment in accordance with ASC Subtopic 350-20, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Goodwill 350-20”), 350-20. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has two reporting units, consisting of Baidu Core and iQIYI. In the fourth The Company has the option to assess qualitative factors first to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative test in accordance with ASC 350-20. more-likely-than-not The Company elected to choose to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to perform quantitative test for the reporting unit of iQIYI. Subsequent to iQIYI’s IPO, the Company primarily considered the quoted market price of iQIYI’s share to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. As of December 31, 2020 and 2021, the fair value of iQIYI exceeded its carrying amount, therefore, goodwill related to the iQIYI reporting unit was not impaired and the Company was not required to perform further testing. On disposal of a portion of reporting unit that constitutes a business, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the amount of gain or loss recognized upon disposal. When the Group disposes of a business within the reporting unit, the amount of goodwill disposed is measured on the basis of the relative fair value of the business disposed and the portion of the reporting unit retained. This relative fair value approach is not used when the business to be disposed was not integrated into the reporting unit after its acquisition, in which case the current carrying amount of the acquired goodwill should be included in the carrying amount of the business to be disposed. Intangible assets Intangible assets with finite lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. All intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets have weighted average useful lives from the date of purchase as follows:
Trademarks – 11 years
Technology – 5 years
Intellectual property right – 8 years
Online literature – 8 years
Others – 13 years Intangible assets with indefinite useful life are not amortized and are tested for impairment annually or more frequently, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that they might be impaired in accordance with ASC Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: General Intangibles Other than Goodwill 350-30”). |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill | Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Other Than Goodwill The Company evaluates long-lived assets, such as fixed assets and purchased or internally developed intangible assets with finite lives other than licensed copyrights and produced content, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment value of the asset group. If the Company identifies an impairment, the Company reduces the carrying amount of the asset group to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach or, when available and appropriate, to comparable market values and the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in “Cost of revenues” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. The Company uses estimates and judgments in its impairment tests and if different estimates or judgments had been utilized, the timing or the amount of any impairment charges could be different. Asset groups to be disposed of would be reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheets. |
| Leases | Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at lease inception. For operating leases, the Company recognizes an ROU asset and a lease liability based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term on the consolidated balance sheets at commencement date. For finance leases, assets are included in “Other non-current |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the Company’s customers in an amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is recorded net of valued added taxes (“VAT”). The Company’s revenue recognition policies are as follows: Performance-based online marketing services Cost-per-click The Company’s auction-based pay-for-performance (“P4P”) platform enables customers to bid for priority placement of paid sponsored links and reach users who search for information related to their products or services. P4P online marketing customers can choose from search-based and feed-based online marketing services, and select criteria for their inventory purchase, such as daily spending limit and user profile targeted, including, but not limited to, users from specific regions in China and users online during specific time period. Revenue is recognized when all of the revenue recognition criteria are met, which is generally when a user clicks on one of the customer-sponsored links or feed-based marketing. Other performance-based online marketing services To the extent the Company provides online marketing services based on performance criteria other than cost-per-click, pre-determined ratios of completed transaction volumes, revenue is recognized when the specified performance criteria are met along with the satisfaction of other applicable revenue recognition criteria. Online display advertising services The Company provides online display advertising services to its customers by integrating text description, image and/or video, and displaying the advertisement in the search result, in Baidu Feed or on other properties. The Company recognizes revenue on a pro-rata Baidu Union online marketing services Baidu Union is a program through which the Company expands distribution of its customers’ sponsored links or advertisements by leveraging the traffic of Baidu Union partners’ online properties. The Company acquires traffic from Baidu Union partners and is responsible for service fulfillment, pricing and bearing inventory risks. The services which the Company provided to customers through Baidu Union partners’ online properties include CPC, other performance-based online marketing services and online display advertising services. These services are provided in the same way to customers as those through Baidu’s own platforms or properties. As principal, the Company recognizes revenue from Baidu Union on a gross basis. Payments made to Baidu Union partners are recorded as traffic acquisition costs, which are included in “Cost of revenues” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. Collection Certain customers of online marketing services are required to pay a deposit before using the Company’s services and are sent automated reminders to replenish their accounts when the balance falls below a designated amount. The deposits received are recorded as “Customer deposits and deferred revenue” on the consolidated balance sheets. The amounts due to the Company are deducted from the deposited amounts when users click on the paid sponsored links in the search results or other performance criteria have been satisfied. In addition, the Company offers payment terms to some customers based on their historical marketing placements and credibility. The Company also offers longer payment terms to certain online payment agencies, consistent with industry practice. Payment terms and conditions vary by customer and are based on the billing schedule established in the Company’s contracts or purchase orders with customers, but the Company generally provides credit terms to customers within one year; therefore, the Company has determined that its contracts do not include a significant financing component. Sales incentives The Company provides sales incentives to third-party agents that entitle them to receive price reductions on the online marketing services by meeting certain cumulative consumption requirements. The Company accounts for these incentives granted to customers as variable consideration and net them against revenue. The amount of variable consideration is measured based on the most likely amount of incentives to be provided to customers. Membership services The Company offers membership services to subscribing members with various privileges, which primarily include access to exclusive and ad-free Audio, and accelerated downloads and others, or personal cloud services. When the receipt of membership fees is for services to be delivered over a period of time, the receipt is initially recorded as “Customer deposits and deferred revenue” and revenue is recognized ratably over the membership period as services are rendered. Membership services revenue also includes fees earned from subscribing members for on-demand Content distribution The Company generates revenues from sub-licensing sub-license non-exclusive sub-license sub-licensee sub-licensing sub-license sub-licensing sub-licensee sub-license sub-licensing The Company also enters into nonmonetary transactions to exchange online broadcasting rights of content assets with other online video broadcasting companies from time to time. The exchanged content assets provide rights for each party to broadcast the content assets received on its own website only. Each transferring party retains the right to continue broadcasting the exclusive content on its own website and/or sublicense the rights to the content it surrendered in the exchange. The Company accounts for these nonmonetary exchanges based on the fair value of the asset received. Barter sublicensing revenues are recognized in accordance with the same revenue recognition criteria above. The Company estimates the fair value of the content assets received using a market approach based on various factors, including the purchase price of similar non-exclusive Cloud services The Company provides public cloud services, which include computing database, storage and other services to enterprise and personal customers and allow customers to use hosted software over the contract period without taking possession of the software, generally on either a subscription or consumption basis. Revenue related to public cloud services provided on a subscription basis is recognized ratably over the contract period. Revenue related to public cloud services provided on a consumption basis, such as the amount of storage used in a period, is recognized based on the customer utilization of such resources. The Company provides software licensing to customers. Software licensing revenues are recognized when earned in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreement. Generally, revenue is recognized at a point in time when the intellectual property is made available for the customer’s use and benefit. The Company provides cloud solutions for customers in specific industries, such as smart transportation, finance, manufacturing, energy, telecom and media. Revenue related to proprietary cloud services and solutions, which mainly include hardware, software licensing and installation service, is recognized over time if one of the following criteria is met: (i) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits as the Company performs; (ii) the Company’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced; or (iii) the asset delivered has no alternative use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. Otherwise, revenue is recognized at a point in time when a customer obtains control of a promised asset or service and the Company satisfies its performance obligation. The Company also provides accelerated downloads and others, or personal cloud services mentioned in the “membership services”. Sales of hardware The Company mainly sells Xiaodu smart device hardware products via third party agents or directly to end customers. Revenue from the sales of hardware is recognized when control of the goods is transferred to customers, which generally occurs when the products are delivered and accepted by the customers. Revenue is recorded net of sales incentives and return allowance. Other revenue recognition related policies For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, primarily for advertisements to be displayed in different spots, placed under different forms and displayed at different times, proprietary cloud services, which mainly include hardware, software licensing and installation service, the Company would evaluate all of the performance obligations in the arrangement to determine whether each performance obligation is distinct. For comprehensive smart transportation solutions (“Solutions”) arrangements, the Company provides a significant integration service and the components are not distinct within the context of the contract because the Company provides a significant level of integration over the solutions and accounted for as one performance obligation. Consideration is allocated to each performance obligation based on its standalone selling price at contract inception. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers on a standalone basis or estimates it using an expected cost plus margin approach. If a promised good or service does not meet the criteria to be considered distinct, it is combined with other promised goods or services until a distinct bundle of goods or services exists. Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. For certain services, customers are required to pay before the services are delivered to the customer. When either party to a revenue contract has performed, the Company recognizes a contract asset or a contract liability on the consolidated balance sheets, depending on the relationship between the entity’s performance and the customer’s payment. Contract and December , , respectively. Revenue recognized for the year ended December , that was included in contract liabilities as of January , was RMB billion (US$ million). Contract service The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed. The Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosures are presented in Note 24. |
| Cost of Revenues | Cost of Revenues Cost of revenues consists primarily of traffic acquisition costs, bandwidth costs, depreciation, content costs, payroll, cost of hardware sold and related costs of operations. Traffic acquisition costs represent the amounts paid or payable to Baidu Union partners who direct search queries to the Company’s websites or distribute the Company’s customers’ paid links through their properties. These payments are primarily based on revenue sharing arrangements under which the Company pays its Baidu Union partners and other business partners a percentage of the fees it earns from its online marketing customers. |
| Advertising and Promotional Expenses | Advertising and Promotional Expenses Advertising and promotional expenses, including advertisements through various forms of media and kinds of marketing and promotional activities, are included in “Selling, general and administrative” in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income and are expensed when incurred. Advertising and promotional expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021 were RMB10.5 billion, RMB8.4 billion and RMB12.2 billion (US$1.9 billion), respectively. |
| Research and Development Expenses | Research and Development Expenses Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related costs. The Company expenses research and development costs as they are incurred, except for (i) costs to develop internal-use internal-use 350-40, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, Internal-Use 950-20, Costs of Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed |
| Government Subsidies | Government Subsidies Government subsidies primarily consist of financial subsidies received from provincial and local governments for operating a business in their jurisdictions and compliance with specific policies promoted by the local governments. For certain government subsidies, there are no defined rules and regulations to govern the criteria necessary for companies to receive such benefits, and the amount of financial subsidy is determined at the discretion of the relevant government authorities. The government subsidies of non-operating non-operating |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes The Company recognizes income taxes under the liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance against the amount of deferred tax assets that it determines is not more-likely-than-not Deferred income taxes are recognized on the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, which are presumed to be transferred to the parent company and are subject to withholding taxes, unless there is sufficient evidence to show that the subsidiary has invested or will invest the undistributed earnings indefinitely or that the earnings will be remitted in a tax-free The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes |
| Share-based Compensation | Share-based Compensation The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation . Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience and are periodically reviewed. Cancellation of an award accompanied by the concurrent grant of a replacement award is accounted for as a modification of the terms of the cancelled award (“modified awards”). The compensation costs associated with the modified awards are recognized if either the original vesting condition or the new vesting condition is achieved. Total recognized compensation cost for the awards is at least equal to the fair value of the awards at the grant date unless at the date of the modification the performance or service conditions of the original awards are not expected to be satisfied. The incremental compensation cost is measured as the excess of the fair value of the replacement award over the fair value of the cancelled award at the cancellation date. Therefore, in relation to the modified awards, the Company recognizes share-based compensation over the vesting periods of the replacement award, which comprises, (i) the amortization of the incremental portion of share-based compensation over the remaining vesting term and (ii) any unrecognized compensation cost of the original award, using either the original term or the new term, whichever results in higher expenses for each reporting period. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting to simplify the accounting for share-based payments to nonemployees 2018-07”) 2018-07 |
| Earnings Per Share ("EPS") | Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) The Company computes earnings per Class A and Class B ordinary shares in accordance with ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and, if dilutive, potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities such as share options, restricted shares and convertible senior notes have been excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share if their inclusion is anti-dilutive. Potential ordinary shares consist of the incremental ordinary shares issuable upon the exercise of share options, restricted shares subject to forfeiture, and contracts that may be settled in the Company’s stock or cash. The dilutive effect of outstanding share options, restricted shares is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. The computation of the diluted earnings per Class A ordinary share assumes the conversion of Class B ordinary shares to Class A ordinary shares, while diluted earnings per Class B ordinary share does not assume the conversion of such shares. The Company adjusts for the securities issued by subsidiaries and equity method investees in the calculation of income available to ordinary shareholders of the Company used in the diluted earnings per share calculation. The liquidation and dividend rights of the holders of the Company’s Class A and Class B ordinary shares are identical, except with respect to voting rights. As a result, and in accordance with ASC 260, the undistributed earnings for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the Class A and Class B ordinary shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed. As the liquidation and dividend rights are identical, the undistributed earnings are allocated on a proportionate basis. Further, as the conversion of Class B ordinary shares is assumed in the computation of the diluted earnings per Class A ordinary share, the undistributed earnings are equal to net income for that computation. For the purposes of calculating the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per Class A and Class B ordinary shares, the ordinary shares relating to the options that were exercised are assumed to have been outstanding from the date of exercise of such options. |
| Treasury stock | Treasury stock The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method. Under this method, the cost incurred to purchase the shares is recorded in “Treasury stock” on the consolidated balance sheets. At retirement of the treasury stock, the ordinary shares account is charged only for the aggregate par value of the shares. The excess of the acquisition cost of treasury stock over the aggregate par value is charged to retained earnings. |
| Contingencies | Contingencies The Company records accruals for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings or claims when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings or claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company discloses the amount of the accrual if it is material. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not record an accrued liability but discloses the nature and the amount of the claim, if material. However, if the loss (or an additional loss in excess of the accrual) is at least reasonably possible, then the Company discloses an estimate of the loss or range of loss, unless it is immaterial or an estimate cannot be made. The assessment of whether a loss is probable or reasonably possible, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves complex judgments about future events. Management is often unable to estimate the loss or a range of loss, particularly where (i) the damages sought are indeterminate, (ii) the proceedings are in the early stages, or (iii) there is a lack of clear or consistent interpretation of laws specific to the industry-specific complaints among different jurisdictions. In such cases, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the timing or ultimate resolution of such matters, including eventual loss, fine, penalty or business impact, if any. |
| Concentration of Risks | Concentration of Risks Concentration of credit risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, debt securities, accounts receivable, contract assets, receivables from online payment agencies and amounts due from related parties. The carrying amounts of these assets represent the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has RMB198.8 billion (US$31.2 billion) in cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and debt investments, which is held by financial institutions in the PRC and international financial institutions outside of the PRC. In the event of bankruptcy of one of these financial institutions, the Company may not be able to claim its cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and debt investments back in full. The Company continues to monitor the financial strength of the financial institutions, 91% and 9% of which are held by financial institutions in the PRC and international financial institutions outside of the PRC, respectively. The Company’s total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and debt investments held at two financial institutions in the PRC exceeded 10%, representing 23% and 20% of the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and debt investments as of December 31, 2021, respectively. PRC state-owned banks, such as Bank of China, are subject to a series of risk control regulatory standards, and PRC bank regulatory authorities are empowered to take over the operation and management when any of those banks faces a material credit crisis. The Company does not foresee substantial credit risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments held at the PRC state-owned banks. Meanwhile, China does not have an official deposit insurance program, nor does it have an agency similar to what was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in the U.S. In the event of bankruptcy of one of the financial institutions in which the Company has deposits or investments, it may be unlikely to claim its deposits or investments back in full. The Company selected reputable international financial institutions with high rating rates to place its foreign currencies. The Company regularly monitors the rating of the international financial institutions to avoid any potential defaults. There has been no recent history of default in relation to these financial institutions. Accounts receivable, contract assets and receivables from online payment agencies are typically unsecured and derived from revenue earned from customers and agencies in the PRC, which are exposed to credit risk. The risk is mitigated by credit evaluations the Company performs on its customers and its ongoing monitoring process of outstanding balances. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses and actual losses have generally been within management’s expectations. As of December 31, 2021, the Group had no single customer with a balance exceeding 10% of the total accounts receivable, contract assets and No customer or any Baidu Union partner generated greater than 10% of total revenues during the years presented. Amounts due from related parties are typically unsecured. In evaluating the collectability of the amounts due from related parties, the Company considers many factors, including the related parties’ repayment history and their credit-worthiness. The Company maintains reserves for estimated credit losses and these losses have generally been within its expectations. Business and economic risks The Company participates in the dynamic and competitive high technology industry and believes that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s future financial position, results of operations and cash flows: changes in the overall demand for services and products; changes in business offerings; competitive pressures due to existing and new entrants; advances and new trends in new technologies and industry standards; changes in bandwidth suppliers; changes in certain strategic relationships or customer relationships; regulatory considerations; copyright regulations; cybersecurity regulations; brand maintenance and enhancement; risks associated with the Group’s ability to anticipate user preferences and provide high-quality content in a cost-effective manner; risks associated with the Company’s ability to attract and retain employees necessary to support its growth and risks related to outbreaks of epidemics, such as COVID-19. The Company’s operations could be adversely affected by significant political, economic and social uncertainties, epidemic and trade war disruptions in the PRC. Currency convertibility risk Substantially all of the Company’s businesses are transacted in RMB, which is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. All foreign exchange transactions take place either through Bank of China or other banks authorized to buy and sell foreign currencies at the exchange rates quoted by the People’s Bank of China. Foreign exchange transactions, including foreign currency payments, require the approval of the People’s Bank of China and/or regulatory institutions. Foreign currency exchange rate risk The functional currency and the reporting currency of the Company are the USD and the RMB, respectively. The Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily relates to cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, long-term investments, accounts and notes payable and convertible senior notes denominated in the USD. On June 19, 2010, the People’s Bank of China announced the end of the RMB’s de facto peg to the USD, a policy which was instituted in late 2008 in the face of the global financial crisis, to further reform the RMB exchange rate regime and to enhance the RMB’s exchange rate flexibility. On March 15, 2014, the People’s Bank of China announced the widening of the daily trading band for RMB against USD. The depreciation of the USD against the RMB was approximately 2.34% in 2021. Most of the revenues and costs of the Company are denominated in RMB, while a portion of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, long-term investments, notes payable and convertible senior notes are denominated in the USD. It is difficult to predict how market forces or PRC or U.S. government policy may impact the exchange rate between the Renminbi and the U.S. dollar in the future. Any significant fluctuation of the valuation of RMB may materially affect the Company’s cash flows, revenues, earnings and financial position, and the value of, and any dividends payable on, the ADS in USD. |
| Derivative Instruments | Derivative Instruments ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements | Recent Accounting Pronouncements In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity 2020-06”), 2020-06 2020-06 2020-06 earnings-per-share if-converted 2020-06 2020-06 noncontrolling interests accumulated retained earnings and RMB398 million (US$62 million) and |
