Tencent launches Yuanbao Search at so.qq.com

Tencent folding search into the Yuanbao brand signals that it sees AI-assisted search as a distribution play rather than a standalone app, using QQ Browser as a built-in funnel to reach users without a separate download. The move puts Yuanbao in more direct competition with established search and AI answer engines, though the browser-engine switch suggests Tencent is prioritizing its own ecosystem over open-web acquisition. Whether users actually change their default engine, and whether Yuanbao Search stays browser-tethered or expands into a broader entry point, is the open question worth watching.