Baidu was co-founded in 2000 by Internet pioneer Robin Li, creator of visionary search technology Rankdex, a method of hyperlink analysis. He set out to provide the best and most equitable way for people to find what they're looking for and built a company culture predicated on two principles: simplicity and reliability. Over the past 20 years, Baidu has strived to fulfill its mission by listening carefully to its users. In order to provide intelligent, relevant search results for the tens of billions of queries that are entered into Baidu's search platform every day, Baidu focuses on powering the best technology, optimized for up-to-date local tastes and preferences. Baidu's deep understanding of Chinese language and culture is central to success in Baidu's home market, and this understanding has allowed the company to tailor its search technology for users' needs. Baidu also sees tremendous opportunity to service users outside China, in markets such as Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, and Thailand. Baidu is beginning to see its international products gain traction, with 260 million monthly active users in December 2015.