Zhihu (NYSE: ZH) posts Q1 2026 revenue decline but higher non-GAAP profit and buybacks
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Zhihu Inc. reported first quarter 2026 results showing lower revenue but improved profitability on an adjusted basis. Total revenues were RMB651.6 million (US$94.5 million), down from RMB729.7 million a year earlier, as marketing services, paid content and IP operations, and other revenues all declined year over year.
Despite this, cost controls helped support margins. Gross margin was 59.6%, compared with 61.8% in the prior-year quarter, while total operating expenses fell 10.4% to RMB451.2 million. Net loss narrowed to RMB8.5 million (US$1.2 million), and adjusted non-GAAP net income rose to RMB17.2 million (US$2.5 million), a 147.2% increase, reflecting better earnings quality.
Zhihu ended March 31, 2026 with RMB4,490.3 million (US$651.0 million) in cash, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments, slightly above the December 2025 level. The company continued its share repurchase programs, having bought back an aggregate 34.8 million Class A ordinary shares for US$70.7 million to date, including 3.7 million shares for US$4.2 million during the quarter. Separately, the board announced the resignation of non-executive director Bing Yu and the appointment of Qu Chen as a non-executive director effective June 3, 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Zhihu trades revenue pressure for improved efficiency and non-GAAP profitability.
Zhihu Inc. delivered weaker top-line but stronger bottom-line trends in Q1 2026. Total revenues fell to RMB651.6 million, down from RMB729.7 million a year earlier, as marketing services, paid content and IP operations, and other revenues all declined.
Management instead emphasized efficiency and profitability. Gross margin was 59.6%, only modestly below last year, while total operating expenses dropped 10.4% to RMB451.2 million. This supported a narrower net loss of RMB8.5 million and non-GAAP adjusted net income of RMB17.2 million, up 147.2%, indicating better cost discipline.
The balance sheet remains strong, with cash, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments totaling RMB4,490.3 million as of March 31, 2026. Ongoing share repurchases—34.8 million Class A shares for US$70.7 million cumulatively—signal continuing capital return within this efficiency-focused strategy. Subsequent company filings may further detail how AI integration and business mix changes affect future revenue growth.
Key Figures
Key Terms
non-GAAP financial measures financial
weighted voting rights regulatory
consolidated affiliated entities financial
Listing Rules regulatory
safe harbor provisions regulatory
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of June 2026
Commission File Number: 001-40253
Zhihu Inc.
(Registrant’s Name)
18 Xueqing Road
Haidian District, Beijing 100083
People’s Republic of China
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F o
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 99.1 | Press Release—Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2026 Financial Results | |
| 99.2 | Press Release—Zhihu Inc. Announces Change of Non-Executive Director | |
| 99.3 | Announcement—Change of Non-Executive Director |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| Zhihu Inc. |
| By | : |
/s/ Han Wang | |
| Name | : | Han Wang | |
| Title | : | Chief Financial Officer |
Date: June 3, 2026
Exhibit 99.1
Zhihu Inc. Reports Unaudited First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
BEIJING, China, June 3, 2026 — Zhihu Inc. (“Zhihu” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a leading online content community in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
| ● | Total revenues were RMB651.6 million (US$94.5 million), compared with RMB729.7 million in the same period of 2025. |
| ● | Gross margin was 59.6%, compared with 61.8% in the same period of 2025. |
| ● | Net loss was RMB8.5 million (US$1.2 million), narrowing by 15.6% from the same period of 2025. |
| ● | Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB17.2 million (US$2.5 million), representing an increase of 147.2% from the same period of 2025. |
| ● | Average monthly subscribing members[2] were 13.1 million in the first quarter of 2026. |
“The first quarter of 2026 marked a solid start to the year, as we advanced our high-quality growth strategy,” said Mr. Yuan Zhou, chairman and chief executive officer of Zhihu. “Our community ecosystem continued to thrive, driven by a more dynamic user demographic, enhanced user engagement, and deeper social connections, while our content creators remained highly vibrant, consistently contributing authentic, high-quality content. At the same time, we accelerated the integration of AI capabilities across our community and business operations, further unlocking the value of our community. Building on this solid foundation, our core businesses are showing encouraging signs of recovery, while our new business initiatives continued to gain momentum and to deliver meaningful incremental growth. Looking ahead, we remain focused on strengthening operational profitability, steadily advancing AI-related commercialization initiatives, and continuing to unlock the unique value of our real-user community in the AI era, to drive healthy and sustainable business growth.”
“First-quarter results demonstrate the resilience of our financial model, evidenced by a non-GAAP net income of RMB17.2 million, representing a 147.2% year-over-year increase and a strong sequential return to profitability,” said Mr. Han Wang, chief financial officer of Zhihu. “During the quarter, our gross margin recovered sequentially to 59.6%, driven by disciplined execution of our efficiency-driven strategy that reduced total operating expenses by 10.4% year over year. This supported continued improvements in our earnings quality. Going forward, we will continue to drive high-quality growth through improved operating efficiency and disciplined capital allocation, including share repurchases, with a clear focus on maximizing long-term shareholder value.”
1
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Total revenues were RMB651.6 million (US$94.5 million), compared with RMB729.7 million in the same period of 2025.
Marketing services revenue was RMB191.4 million (US$27.7 million), compared with RMB197.0 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to our proactive and ongoing refinement of service offerings.
Paid content and IP operations revenue[3] was RMB402.3 million (US$58.3 million), compared with RMB420.9 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in the number of our average monthly subscribing members, partially offset by the growth of revenues generated from our intellectual property (“IP”) operations.
Other revenues[3][4] were RMB57.8 million (US$8.4 million), compared with RMB111.8 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to the strategic refinement of our vocational training business.
Cost of revenues decreased by 5.5% to RMB263.2 million (US$38.2 million) from RMB278.6 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in cloud services and bandwidth costs resulting from our improved technological efficiency.
Gross profit was RMB388.3 million (US$56.3 million), compared with RMB451.1 million in the same period of 2025. Gross margin was 59.6%, compared with 61.8% in the same period of 2025.
Total operating expenses decreased by 10.4% to RMB451.2 million (US$65.4 million) from RMB503.7 million in the same period of 2025.
Selling and marketing expenses decreased by 11.1% to RMB285.1 million (US$41.3 million) from RMB320.6 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to more disciplined marketing spending and a decrease in personnel-related expenses.
Research and development expenses decreased by 22.4% to RMB110.1 million (US$16.0 million) from RMB141.9 million in the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to improvements in our research and development efficiency.
General and administrative expenses were RMB56.0 million (US$8.1 million), compared with RMB41.2 million in the same period of 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the allowance for expected credit losses on trade receivables.
Loss from operations was RMB62.9 million (US$9.1 million), compared with RMB52.6 million in the same period of 2025.
Adjusted loss from operations (non-GAAP)[1] was RMB37.1 million (US$5.4 million), compared with RMB35.0 million in the same period of 2025.
2
Net loss narrowed by 15.6% to RMB8.5 million (US$1.2 million) from RMB10.1 million in the same period of 2025.
Adjusted net income (non-GAAP)[1] increased by 147.2% to RMB17.2 million (US$2.5 million) from RMB6.9 million in the same period of 2025.
Diluted net loss per American depositary share (“ADS”) was RMB0.11 (US$0.02), compared with RMB0.12 in the same period of 2025.
Cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents, term deposits, restricted cash and short-term investments of RMB4,490.3 million (US$651.0 million), compared with RMB4,451.2 million as of December 31, 2025.
Share Repurchase Programs
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had repurchased an aggregate of 34.8 million Class A ordinary shares (including Class A ordinary shares underlying the ADSs) for a total consideration of US$70.7 million on both the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the Company’s existing share repurchase programs. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company repurchased 3.7 million Class A ordinary shares for a total consideration of US$4.2 million.
[1] Adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net income/(loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the section “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the table captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.
[2] Monthly subscribing members refers to the number of members who subscribed for our membership packages in a specified month. Average monthly subscribing members for a period is calculated by dividing the sum of monthly subscribing members for each month during the specified period by the number of months in such period.
[3] Starting from the first quarter of 2026, the Company reported revenues generated from paid membership and IP operations collectively as “paid content and IP operations revenue” to better present its business and results of operations in line with its overall strategy. Revenues generated from IP operations, which were formerly included in “other revenues,” primarily consist of copyrights licensing and content distribution. Revenues for the applicable comparison periods have been retrospectively reclassified.
[4] Starting from the third quarter of 2025, the Company simplified its revenue stream by reclassifying vocational training into “others” to align with its overall strategy. Revenues for the applicable comparison periods have been retrospectively reclassified.
3
Conference Call
The Company’s management will host a conference call at 7:00 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (7:00 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, June 3, 2026) to discuss the results.
All participants wishing to join the conference call must pre-register online using the link provided below. Once the pre-registration has been completed, each participant will receive a set of dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN which can be used to join the conference call.
Registration Link:
https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI3688e4763901491aa49594b4434a6a84
Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.zhihu.com.
About Zhihu Inc.
Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390) is a leading online content community where people come to find solutions, make decisions, seek inspiration, and have fun. Since the initial launch in 2010, Zhihu has grown into the largest Q&A-inspired online content community in China. For more information, please visit https://ir.zhihu.com.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In evaluating the business, the Company considers and uses non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted loss from operations and adjusted net income/(loss), to supplement the review and assessment of its operating performance. The Company defines non-GAAP financial measures by excluding the impact of share-based compensation expenses, amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions, impairment of goodwill and the tax effects of the non-GAAP adjustments, which are non-cash expenses. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons of operating performance from period to period and company to company by adjusting for potential impacts of items, which the Company’s management considers to be indicative of its operating performance. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the Company’s consolidated results of operations in the same manner as they help the Company’s management.
The non-GAAP financial measures are not defined under U.S. GAAP and are not presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. The use of the non-GAAP financial measures has limitations as an analytical tool, and investors should not consider them in isolation from or as a substitute for analysis of our results of operations or financial condition as reported under U.S. GAAP. For more information on the non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned “Unaudited Reconciliations of GAAP and Non-GAAP Results” set forth at the end of this press release.
4
Exchange Rate Information
This announcement contains translations of certain Renminbi amounts into U.S. dollars at a specified rate solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise noted, all translations from Renminbi to U.S. dollars were made at a rate of RMB6.8980 to US$1.00, the exchange rate in effect as of March 31, 2026 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board.
Safe Harbor Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to,” or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Zhihu Inc.
Email: ir@zhihu.com
Christensen Advisory
Roger Hu
Tel: +86-10-5900-1548
Email: zhihu@christensencomms.com
5
ZHIHU INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2025 |
March 31, 2026 |
||||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
| Marketing services | 196,959 | 234,808 | 191,413 | 27,749 | ||||||||||||
| Paid content and IP operations | 420,875 | 347,523 | 402,322 | 58,324 | ||||||||||||
| Others | 111,831 | 61,185 | 57,831 | 8,384 | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 729,665 | 643,516 | 651,566 | 94,457 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | (278,561 | ) | (298,699 | ) | (263,235 | ) | (38,161 | ) | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 451,104 | 344,817 | 388,331 | 56,296 | ||||||||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | (320,632 | ) | (275,243 | ) | (285,146 | ) | (41,337 | ) | ||||||||
| Research and development expenses | (141,866 | ) | (123,085 | ) | (110,065 | ) | (15,956 | ) | ||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (41,209 | ) | (84,009 | ) | (56,005 | ) | (8,119 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | - | (126,344 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | (503,707 | ) | (608,681 | ) | (451,216 | ) | (65,412 | ) | ||||||||
| Loss from operations | (52,603 | ) | (263,864 | ) | (62,885 | ) | (9,116 | ) | ||||||||
| Other income/(expenses): | ||||||||||||||||
| Investment income | 19,349 | 34,629 | 28,594 | 4,145 | ||||||||||||
| Interest income | 20,610 | 13,379 | 15,608 | 2,263 | ||||||||||||
| Exchange losses | (96 | ) | (56 | ) | (90 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||||
| Others, net | 2,399 | (2,487 | ) | 11,856 | 1,719 | |||||||||||
| Loss before income tax | (10,341 | ) | (218,399 | ) | (6,917 | ) | (1,002 | ) | ||||||||
| Income tax benefits/(expenses) | 233 | 7,609 | (1,610 | ) | (233 | ) | ||||||||||
| Net loss | (10,108 | ) | (210,790 | ) | (8,527 | ) | (1,235 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 14 | 2,156 | 23 | 3 | ||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Zhihu Inc.’s shareholders | (10,094 | ) | (208,634 | ) | (8,504 | ) | (1,232 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss per share | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | (0.04 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||
| Diluted | (0.04 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.01 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss per ADS (One ADS represents three Class A ordinary shares) | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | (0.12 | ) | (2.66 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||
| Diluted | (0.12 | ) | (2.66 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||
| Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 244,504,405 | 235,516,843 | 231,674,268 | 231,674,268 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 244,504,405 | 235,516,843 | 231,674,268 | 231,674,268 | ||||||||||||
6
ZHIHU INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
(All amounts in thousands, except share, ADS, per share data and per ADS data)
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2025 |
March 31, 2026 |
||||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expenses included in: | ||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | (872 | ) | 157 | 386 | 56 | |||||||||||
| Selling and marketing expenses | 262 | 497 | (271 | ) | (39 | ) | ||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | (599 | ) | 4,145 | 7,158 | 1,038 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 15,367 | 29,503 | 17,005 | 2,465 | ||||||||||||
7
ZHIHU INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(All amounts in thousands)
| As of December 31, 2025 |
As of March 31, 2026 |
|||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | ||||||||||||
| Current assets: | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,369,154 | 2,992,056 | 433,757 | |||||||||
| Term deposits | 30,000 | - | - | |||||||||
| Short-term investments | 840,938 | 1,288,233 | 186,755 | |||||||||
| Restricted cash | 1,078 | - | - | |||||||||
| Trade receivables | 357,998 | 389,837 | 56,514 | |||||||||
| Amounts due from related parties | 25,570 | 27,327 | 3,962 | |||||||||
| Prepayments and other current assets | 107,265 | 100,083 | 14,509 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 4,732,003 | 4,797,536 | 695,497 | |||||||||
| Non-current assets: | ||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 5,349 | 4,312 | 625 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 29,588 | 27,908 | 4,046 | |||||||||
| Long-term investments, net | 158,480 | 33,638 | 4,876 | |||||||||
| Term deposits | 210,000 | 210,000 | 30,444 | |||||||||
| Right-of-use assets | 42,063 | 31,938 | 4,630 | |||||||||
| Other non-current assets | 13,391 | 13,866 | 2,010 | |||||||||
| Total non-current assets | 458,871 | 321,662 | 46,631 | |||||||||
| Total assets | 5,190,874 | 5,119,198 | 742,128 | |||||||||
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 681,307 | 678,778 | 98,402 | |||||||||
| Salary and welfare payables | 188,038 | 193,412 | 28,039 | |||||||||
| Taxes payables | 16,285 | 36,953 | 5,357 | |||||||||
| Contract liabilities | 186,034 | 222,023 | 32,186 | |||||||||
| Amounts due to related parties | 16,135 | 6,017 | 872 | |||||||||
| Short term lease liabilities | 21,382 | 18,118 | 2,627 | |||||||||
| Short-term borrowings | 35,000 | - | - | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 124,233 | 112,491 | 16,308 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 1,268,414 | 1,267,792 | 183,791 | |||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||||||||
| Long term lease liabilities | 15,592 | 9,345 | 1,355 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax liabilities | 27,174 | 6,221 | 902 | |||||||||
| Other non-current liabilities | 4,650 | 5,968 | 865 | |||||||||
| Total non-current liabilities | 47,416 | 21,534 | 3,122 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 1,315,830 | 1,289,326 | 186,913 | |||||||||
| Total Zhihu Inc.’s shareholders’ equity | 3,804,136 | 3,755,588 | 544,446 | |||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | 70,908 | 74,284 | 10,769 | |||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 3,875,044 | 3,829,872 | 555,215 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | 5,190,874 | 5,119,198 | 742,128 | |||||||||
8
ZHIHU INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS OF GAAP AND NON-GAAP RESULTS
(All amounts in thousands)
| For the Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2025 |
December 31, 2025 |
March 31, 2026 |
||||||||||||||
| RMB | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (52,603 | ) | (263,864 | ) | (62,885 | ) | (9,116 | ) | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expenses | 14,158 | 34,302 | 24,278 | 3,520 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions | 3,490 | 13,950 | 1,510 | 219 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | - | 126,344 | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted loss from operations | (34,955 | ) | (89,268 | ) | (37,097 | ) | (5,377 | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | (10,108 | ) | (210,790 | ) | (8,527 | ) | (1,235 | ) | ||||||||
| Add: | ||||||||||||||||
| Share-based compensation expenses | 14,158 | 34,302 | 24,278 | 3,520 | ||||||||||||
| Amortization and impairment of intangible assets resulting from business acquisitions | 3,490 | 13,950 | 1,510 | 219 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | - | 126,344 | - | - | ||||||||||||
| Tax effects on non-GAAP adjustments | (600 | ) | (3,215 | ) | (105 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||||||
| Adjusted net income/(loss) | 6,940 | (39,409 | ) | 17,156 | 2,489 | |||||||||||
9
Exhibit 99.2
Zhihu Inc. Announces Change of Non-Executive Director
BEIJING, China, June 3, 2026—Zhihu Inc. (“Zhihu” or the “Company”) (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390), a leading online content community in China, today announced the appointment of Mr. Qu Chen as a non-executive director of the Company. Mr. Bing Yu has resigned as a non-executive director of the Company in order to dedicate more time to his other business commitments. These changes are effective on June 3, 2026.
Mr. Chen has over 13 years of experience in strategic investment, capital markets, and business analysis. He joined Kuaishou Technology (HKEX: 1024) in April 2018 and currently serves as Head of Business Analytics, responsible for Kuaishou Group’s strategy, investment and operational analysis. Before joining Kuaishou Group, he was the founder and served as the chief executive officer of Beijing Nebulium Games Technology Co., Ltd. from June 2013 to September 2017. Mr. Chen received his Master of Business Administration from Stanford University (officially the Leland Stanford Junior University) in June 2013.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Bing Yu for his valuable contributions throughout his tenure and wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” said Mr. Yuan Zhou, chairman and chief executive officer of the Company. “We are also pleased to welcome Mr. Qu Chen to the board. Mr. Chen has built a strong track record in China’s internet sector, with deep expertise in business strategy, investment, and capital markets. His industry insights and strategic perspective will support the board as we continue to advance our long-term growth strategy.”
About Zhihu Inc.
Zhihu Inc. (NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390) is a leading online content community where people come to find solutions, make decisions, seek inspiration, and have fun. Since the initial launch in 2010, Zhihu has grown into the largest Q&A-inspired online content community in China. For more information, please visit https://ir.zhihu.com.
For investor and media inquiries, please contact:
Zhihu Inc.
Email: ir@zhihu.com
Christensen Advisory
Roger Hu
Tel: +86-10-5900-1548
Email: zhihu@christensencomms.com
Exhibit 99.3
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited take no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, make no representation as to its accuracy or completeness and expressly disclaim any liability whatsoever for any loss howsoever arising from or in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this announcement.
Zhihu Inc.
(A company controlled through weighted voting rights and incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability)
(NYSE: ZH; HKEX: 2390)
CHANGE OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
RESIGNATION OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The board (the “Board”) of directors (the “Directors”) of Zhihu Inc. (the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries and its consolidated affiliated entities, the “Group”) announces that Mr. Bing Yu (“Mr. Yu”) has resigned as a non-executive Director with effect from June 3, 2026 due to the need to dedicate more time to other business commitments.
Mr. Yu confirmed that (i) he has no disagreement with the Board; and (ii) there is no other matter relating to his resignation that needs to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company or the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Stock Exchange”).
The Board would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to Mr. Yu for his valuable contributions to the Company during his tenure of office.
APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Qu Chen (“Mr. Chen”) as a non-executive Director with effect from June 3, 2026.
Set forth below is the biographical details of Mr. Chen:
Mr. Qu Chen (陳曲), aged 40, was appointed as our non-executive Director on June 3, 2026 and is responsible for providing strategic advice and making recommendations on our operation and management. Mr. Chen has over 13 years of experience in strategic investment, capital markets and business analysis. He joined Kuaishou Technology (a company listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange with stock code of 1024) in April 2018 and currently serves as Head of Business Analytics, responsible for Kuaishou Group’s strategy, investment and operational analysis. Before joining Kuaishou Group, he served as the founder and chief executive officer of Beijing Nebulium Games Technology Co., Ltd. (北京星雲互娛科技有限公司) from June 2013 to September 2017. Mr. Chen received his Master of Business Administration from Stanford University (officially the Leland Stanford Junior University) in the USA in June 2013.
Mr. Chen has entered into a service agreement in respect of his appointment as a non-executive Director with the Company for a term of three years commencing from June 3, 2026, subject to re-election at the next annual general meeting of the Company in accordance with its articles of association. According to the terms of the said service agreement, Mr. Chen will not receive any emoluments from the Company as a non-executive Director.
1
Save as disclosed above, Mr. Chen (i) does not hold any other positions with the Company or any members of the Group; (ii) does not have any relationship with any Directors, senior management or substantial shareholders or the controlling shareholders (has the meaning as defined under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on the Stock Exchange (the “Listing Rules”)) of the Company; (iii) does not have any interest in the shares of the Company within the meaning of Part XV of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong); and (iv) has not held any other directorships in any other listed public companies the securities of which are listed on any securities market in Hong Kong or overseas in the last three years as of the date of this announcement.
Save as disclosed above, as of the date of this announcement, there was no other information required to be disclosed pursuant to any of the requirements of Rules 13.51(2)(h) to (v) of the Listing Rules and there are no other matters relating to the proposed appointment of Mr. Chen as a non-executive Director that need to be brought to the attention of the shareholders of the Company.
The Board would like to express its warmest welcome to Mr. Chen on his appointment.
| By order of the Board | |
| Zhihu Inc. | |
| Yuan Zhou | |
| Chairman |
Hong Kong, June 3, 2026
As of the date of this announcement, the board of directors of the Company comprises Mr. Yuan Zhou as an executive director, Mr. Dahai Li, Mr. Zhaohui Li and Mr. Qu Chen as non-executive directors and Ms. Hope Ni, Mr. Derek Chen and Dr. Li-Lan Cheng as independent non-executive directors.
2