Summary of Key Points
Recently, a large number of AI-related "gray transactions" have emerged on Xianyu (a Chinese online marketplace). These transactions range from ChatGPT/Claude membership and Codex quota resets to customized skills and consulting services for setting up AI environments, covering almost all the needs of ordinary users who want to access overseas AI products. These services closely follow the marketing initiatives of foreign manufacturers (such as student discounts and referral programs) and fill in the gaps left by official channels (e.g., regional restrictions and payment barriers), acting as a "last-mile solution" for Chinese users to connect with AI. However, they also come with risks such as account suspensions and privacy breaches.
What Exactly Is Sold on Xianyu's AI "Black Market"?
Xianyu offers almost every type of AI-related service you can think of:
- Accounts: Shared accounts for ChatGPT/Claude/Gemini (available for just a few cents) or exclusive, ready-to-use accounts (for dozens of yuan);
- Quotas: Recharges for Codex quotas (3 yuan per reset, which is equivalent to hundreds of dollars in the official price); API credits and tokens;
- Proxy Services: Midjourney image generation on behalf of users, Suno music creation, and Gemini student discount certifications;
- Customized Services: Personally written skills for specific tasks (e.g., cross-border e-commerce tools, novel writing templates, or investment strategies), as well as a 15,000-word tutorial on setting up a "pure" Claude environment;
- Consulting: Assistance with installing Codex and troubleshooting AI-related issues (such as interface problems or network connections).
These services are typically very tailored to individual needs, rather than being standardized products like those found on Taobao.
Why Can Xianyu Quickly Respond to Overseas AI Manufacturers' Initiatives?
Xianyu sellers can quickly adapt to foreign manufacturers' marketing campaigns because the initiatives often have specific requirements that they can break down into smaller services. For example, Google's Gemini student discount requires both a SheerID student certification and an overseas payment method, which many users find difficult to obtain. Xianyu sellers offer two solutions: either pre-made accounts (for dozens of yuan) or assistance with using their own accounts for the certification (for even less money). Similarly, for Codex's referral program, sellers sell the number of successful referrals as a service, allowing users to get quota resets without having to find friends themselves. This creates a "gray economy" where manufacturers invest in acquiring customers, sellers monetize these benefits, and users benefit from lower prices.
How Does Xianyu's AI Service Differ from Taobao's?
The main difference lies in the nature of the products: Taobao offers standardized AI services (e.g., a "comprehensive collection of 2,000 skills" for 9.9 yuan, but most of these are outdated templates), while Xianyu provides personalized and customized services created by individual sellers (e.g., a "virtual expert board meeting" skill for just 0.1 yuan or a 49-page tutorial on setting up a Claude environment).
Why Is Xianyu Considered the "Civilian Access Layer" for AI?
Official channels are not user-friendly for Chinese users:
- Regional Restrictions: Many overseas AI products (like Claude) prohibit access from Chinese IP addresses;
- Payment Barriers: Without an overseas credit card, it's impossible to purchase GPT Pro membership;
- Strict Reviews: Services like Claude require ID verification and may result in account suspensions if not done correctly.
Xianyu fills these gaps:
- No overseas credit card? You can buy a shared or pre-made account;
- Account suspended? Sellers can help you set up a "pure" environment to avoid IP detection;
- Don't know how to use the services? You can hire consulting services for step-by-step guidance on installation and troubleshooting.
In essence, Xianyu serves as a bridge for Chinese users to circumvent official restrictions and access overseas AI products.
Be Aware of the Risks Associated with These Transactions
The low cost comes with potential downsides:
- Account Suspension Risk: Shared accounts can be easily detected by officials, leading to account suspension;
- Privacy Breaches: When purchasing certification services, you may need to provide personal information, which could be misused by sellers;
- Mismatches in Services: You might receive outdated or ineffective products (e.g., an outdated skill);
- Account Recovery: The original owner of a pre-made account may try to reclaim it.
Before making a purchase, consider whether you prefer to pay the higher price through official channels or take a chance on lower-cost, gray services.
In Conclusion
Xianyu is not truly a "black market" but more of a self-help platform for Chinese AI users. When official channels are unavailable, people turn to these informal solutions. However, the benefits come with risks, so it's important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.