ByteDance's Hongguo Short Video App Launches Xiao Guo AI for Drama Search and Recommendations

ChainCatcher report, according to DuJia, ByteDance’s short-form drama app, Hongguo Short Drama, has launched “XiaoGuo AI.” This feature, previously undergoing a phased rollout, is now officially available, powered by the Doubao large model and labeled within the app as Hongguo AI BOT. It is positioned as an AI-powered drama discovery assistant for the short-form drama space, offering series search and recommendation. The report notes that this marks Hongguo’s first integration of conversational AI into the user-facing drama discovery experience, beyond its existing AI-driven short-form drama production. According to DuJia’s hands-on testing, the main entry point is located within the app’s search bar; tapping it opens a chat interface, and users can also ask questions via @XiaoGuoAI in the comment section. The interface includes quick-query options such as “What short dramas are everyone watching?” and “What’s the difference between male-oriented and female-oriented short dramas?” When users enter keywords, the system returns a “Did you mean?” list, trending drama rankings, and show popularity metrics. AI responses may display interactive drama cards with play buttons that redirect users to full episodes. The tool leverages generative AI and search plugins to deliver information including titles, plot summaries, posters, user ratings, popularity trends, and streaming platforms based on keywords and viewing preferences. User feedback indicates it can also track viewing intentions and send notifications when new seasons of followed dramas become available for reservation.