Online searching to feature more functions, says Baidu chief

Li Yanhong, Chief Executive Officer of Baidu Inc, is seen at the Baidu Technology Innovation Conference at China World Hotel in Beijing, Sep 2, 2010.[Photo/IC]

Voice and picture related search requests will surpass text searches within five years, Baidu Inc founder and CEO Robin Li said on Wednesday.

"The future of online searching will feature more functions and help the customers to finish complicated tasks," said Li.

Voice searches already account for nearly 10 percent of Baidu's total search requests.

The company controls more than half of the Internet search market on the Chinese mainland, according to Internet data collector cnzz.com.

Baidu is attempting to consolidate its search business in the mobile Internet sector where smaller providers such as Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd are trying to raise their presence.