WeChat is also gradually upgrading itself as an entrance to internet.
Scanning a QR code is as common as using WeChat.
Businesses are using QR codes as the beginning of a customer relation; government departments/agencies are using QR codes as a way to provide/introduce/reserve many services.
And most of these websites or alternatives or websites are happening in Tencent’s ecosystem/domain. (or Alibaba/Baidu/JD/Toutiao/Weibo/Meituan’s domain)
Few people are creating their own website nowadays in China. For example, when we can find a restaurant’s website in US, usually in China we find it on WeChat/Ele(alibaba)/Meituan/Dianping(Meituan).
And when people are used to it, search engines are going to give away their position as the entrance of internet.
And when people forget how to type a web address, internet is more disconnected and is just comprised of a few closed bubbles – not exciting.