Kanzhun Limited Q1 2025: Navigating Contradictions in AI Impact, Recruitment Demand, and Blue Collar Growth

AI integration and impact on recruitment industry, recruitment demand trends and recovery, AI monetization strategy, and blue collar business growth are the key contradictions discussed in Kanzhun Limited's latest 2025Q1 earnings call.



Revenue Growth and Profitability:
- Kanzhun Limited reported a GAAP revenue of RMB1.92 billion in Q1 2025, up 13% year-on-year.
- Adjusted operating income reached RMB690 million, with an adjusted operating margin of 36%, up 13 percentage points year-on-year.
- The growth was driven by cost control, increased user engagement, and higher penetration of AI applications.

User and Engagement Trends:
- The company added over 15 million verified new users from January to April 2025, with average monthly active users on the BOSS Zhipin app reaching 57.56 million, up 24% year-on-year.
- Blue collar new users accounted for over 45% of total users, driving their share of revenue to more than 39%.
- The growth was supported by network effects, improved user satisfaction, and strategic user acquisition efforts.

Tariff War Impact Assessment:
- Kanzhun Limited maintained that the tariff war's impact on its business remains limited, with no severe disruptions in supply and demand relationships.
- Hiring demand from enterprises has been recovering since the Chinese New Year, with average new job postings growing 17% year-on-year.
- The company's diversification across industries and locations has mitigated potential negative impacts of the tariff war.