0001193125-21-084895 | 20-F | XBRL Viewer

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

(390)

(786)

152

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivables

10,998

(13,152)

39,979

Prepaid and other assets

(10,276)

5,574

5,758

Accounts payable

(3,358)

(160)

(1,628)

(96)

(3,689)

(524)

Tax liabilities

8,683

(2,253)

(79,238)

Deferred tax

102,626

11,202

43,194

Accrued liabilities and other short-term liabilities

(3,252)

(22,803)

(34,593)

Net cash provided by/(used in) continuing operating activities

163,394

(18,267)

(52,143)

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities

(68,187)

228,857

136,168

Net cash provided by operating activities

95,207

210,590

84,025

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchase of fixed assets

(6,339)

(15,081)

(25,217)

Purchase of intangible and other assets

(27,441)

(50,583)

(96,317)

Purchase of long-term investments

(114)

(12,290)

(727)

Return of funds from a third party

5,264

Proceeds from financial instruments

1,423,600

883,991

1,783,772

Purchase of financial instruments

(1,206,777)

(1,022,049)

(1,499,491)

Proceeds received from sale of equity investment

12,073

Other cash proceeds related to investing activities

1,464

1,198

789

Net cash provided by/(used in) continuing investing activities

184,393

(214,814)

180,146

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities

235,374

(228,406)

(639,390)

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

419,767

(443,220)

(459,244)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term bank loans

92,000

251,738

Proceeds from short-term bank loans

315,550

58,035

74,056

Exercise of share-based awards in subsidiaries

Repayments of loans from banks

(113,952)

(371,973)

(67,011)

Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Changyou Merger

(191,803)

Distribution of Changyou dividend to noncontrolling interest shareholders

(165,817)

(162,461)

Net cash provided by/(used in) continuing financing activities

101,795

(479,748)

96,333

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities

(8,209)

(33,415)

Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities

93,586

(513,163)

96,334

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits

36,984

(10,047)

(19,544)

Net increase /(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted time deposits

645,544

(755,840)

(298,429)

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at beginning of year

314,026

1,069,866

1,368,295

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at end of year

959,570

314,026

1,069,866

Less: Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits of discontinued operations, end of year

310,203

147,834

187,867

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits of continuing operations, end of year

649,367

166,192

881,999

Supplemental cash flow disclosures from continuing operations:

Cash paid for income taxes

(35,705)

(27,781)

(38,737)

Cash paid for interest expense

(3,778)

(12,947)

(12,563)

Barter transactions

4,039

4,357

6,587

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activity from continuing operations:

Changes in payables and other liabilities related to fixed assets and intangible assets additions

$ (20,964)

$ (24,568)

$ (31,406)

[1]	In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Sohu Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million for equity investments.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Ordinary Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,817,237	$ 45	$ 1,098,455	$ (143,858)	$ 38,212	$ (242,220)	$ 1,066,603
Share-based compensation expense	2,095	0	(5,559)	0	0	0	7,654
Settlement/Adjustment of share-based awards in subsidiary	1,811	0	9,839	0	0	0	(8,028)
Distribution of Changyou dividend to noncontrolling interest shareholders	(162,461)	0	0	0	0	0	(162,461)
Liquidation of Sohu.com Inc.	0	(6)	(143,852)	143,858	0	0	0
Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Limited and noncontrolling interest shareholders	(67,359)	0	0	0	0	(160,082)	92,723
Disposal of a majority-owned subsidiary	(2,113)	0	0	0	0	0	(2,113)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(37,339)	0	0	0	(5,992)	0	(31,347)
Others	1,080	0	0	0	0	0	1,080
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018	1,552,951	39	958,883	0	24,719	(394,801)	964,111
Impact of adoption of new accounting standard	0	0	0	0	(7,501)	7,501	0
Share-based compensation expense	18,251	0	1,045	0	0	0	17,206
Settlement/Adjustment of share-based awards in subsidiary	698	0	2,555	0	0	0	(1,857)
Distribution of Changyou dividend to noncontrolling interest shareholders	(166,507)	0	0	0	0	0	(166,507)
Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Limited and noncontrolling interest shareholders	(43,391)	0	0	0	0	(149,336)	105,945
Repurchase of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders	(42,016)	0	(14,282)	0	0	0	(27,734)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(13,069)	0	0	0	(368)	0	(12,701)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	1,306,917	39	948,201	0	24,351	(544,137)	878,463
Share-based compensation expense	18,115	0	1,935	0	0	0	16,180
Settlement/Adjustment of share-based awards in subsidiary	1,862	0	2,476	0	0	0	(614)
Modification of share-based awards in Changyou	(10,506)	0	0	0	0	0	(10,506)
Net income /(loss) attributable to Sohu.com Limited and noncontrolling interest shareholders	(128,320)	0	0	0	0	(86,112)	(42,208)
Repurchase of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares from noncontrolling shareholders	(8,301)	0	(2,847)	0	0	0	(5,454)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in Changyou Merger	(191,803)	0	2,937	0	(38,059)	0	(156,681)
Acquisition of a partially-held subsidiary	642	0	31	0	0	0	611
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	50,031	0	0	0	42,897	0	7,134
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020	1,031,981	39	952,733	0	29,189	(634,592)	684,612
Impact of adoption of new accounting standard	$ (6,656)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (4,343)	$ (2,313)

The Company and Nature of Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

THE COMPANY AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]

The Company and Nature of Operations

1.	THE COMPANY AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Nature of Operations and Organization

Sohu.com Limited was incorporated in the Cayman Islands on May 30, 2003 as a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Sohu.com Inc., which was incorporated in Delaware in August 1996 and was the ultimate parent company of the Sohu Group (as defined below) until its dissolution on May 31, 2018. On July 17, 2000, Sohu.com Inc. completed an initial public offering (“IPO”) of shares of its common stock on NASDAQ trading under the symbol “SOHU.” On May 31, 2018, pursuant to a proposal for the dissolution of Sohu.com Inc. and adoption of a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution of Sohu.com Inc. that was approved by the stockholders of Sohu.com Inc. at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 29, 2018, Sohu.com Inc. was dissolved, all outstanding shares of the common stock of Sohu.com Inc. were delisted and cancelled, and American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) representing all outstanding ordinary shares of Sohu.com Limited were distributed on a

share-for-share

basis to the stockholders of Sohu.com Inc. On June 1, 2018 Sohu.com Limited’s ADSs began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the same “SOHU” symbol in place of the common stock of Sohu.com Inc. As a result, Sohu.com Limited replaced Sohu.com Inc. as the

top-tier,

publicly-traded holding company of the Sohu Group (as defined below). Sohu.com Limited (or its predecessor Sohu.com Inc., as applicable), together with its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs, are collectively referred to herein as the “Sohu Group,” the “Group” or the “Company.”

The Sohu Group is a leading Chinese online media, game and search service group providing comprehensive online products and services on PCs and mobile devices in China. The Sohu Group, which consists of “Sohu,” which when referred to in this report, unless the context requires otherwise, excludes the businesses and the corresponding subsidiaries and VIEs of Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou”) and Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”), Changyou and Sogou. Changyou and Sogou are the indirect controlled subsidiaries of the Company. Sohu is a leading Chinese language online media content and services provider; Changyou is a leading online game developer and operator in China that engages primarily in the development, operation and licensing of online games for PCs and mobile devices; and Sogou is an innovator in search and a leader in China’s Internet industry. Most of the Sohu Group’s operations are conducted through the Group’s China-based subsidiaries and VIEs.

Changyou completed its IPO on NASDAQ in April 2009, trading under the symbol “CYOU.” On April 17, 2020, Sohu acquired all outstanding shares of Changyou that it did not already beneficially own pursuant to the merger (the “Changyou Merger”) of an indirect newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary (“Changyou Merger Co.”) with and into Changyou, with Changyou being the company surviving the Changyou Merger, and resulting in Changyou being delisted from NASDAQ and continuing as a privately-held company wholly-owned directly and indirectly by Sohu.

Because prior to the completion of Changyou Merger, Sohu.com Limited, or its predecessor Sohu.com Inc., was the controlling shareholder of Changyou, Sohu.com Limited consolidated Changyou in its consolidated financial statements, and recognized noncontrolling interests reflecting economic interests in Changyou held by Changyou’s former shareholders or beneficial owners other than Sohu.com Limited. As a result of the completion of Sohu’s acquisition of the noncontrolling interests in Changyou on April 17, 2020, Sohu.com Limited holds 100% of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares and 100% of the total voting power in Changyou and consolidates Changyou in its consolidated financial statements with no noncontrolling interests being recognized except for noncontrolling interests reflecting economic interests in Changyou’s subsidiaries.

Sogou completed its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) in November 2017 trading under the symbol “SOGO.” On September 29, 2020, Sogou entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger (as amended on December 1, 2020, the “Sogou Merger Agreement”) with THL A21 Limited (“THL”), TitanSupernova Limited (“Tencent Merger Sub”), and Tencent Mobility Limited (“TML”), each of which is a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited (“Tencent”), which contemplates that Tencent Merger Sub will be merged with and into Sogou in an

all-cash

going-private transaction (the “Sogou Merger”). Also on September 29, 2020, Sohu and its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”) entered into a share purchase agreement with Tencent Merger Sub (as amended on December 1, 2020, the “Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Sohu agreed to sell all of the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares owned by Sohu to Tencent, shortly before the effectiveness of the Sogou Merger (the “Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase”). If the Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase and the Sogou Merger are completed, Sohu will no longer have any beneficial ownership interest in Sogou, and Sogou will become an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent and will no longer be listed on the NYSE.

As Sohu.com Limited, or its predecessor Sohu.com Inc., is the controlling shareholder of Sogou, Sohu.com Limited consolidates Sogou in its consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations, and recognizes noncontrolling interests reflecting economic interests in Sogou held by shareholders or beneficial owners other than Sohu.com Limited (the “Sogou noncontrolling shareholders”).

The consolidated financial statements of Sohu.com Limited represent the continuation of the financial statements of Sohu.com Inc., reflecting the assets and liabilities, accumulated deficit and other equity balances of Sohu.com Inc. immediately before Sohu.com Inc.’s dissolution on May 31, 2018.

Through the operation of Sohu and Changyou, the Sohu Group generates brand advertising revenues, online game revenues, and other revenues. Brand advertising and online games are the Sohu Group’s core businesses. The Sohu Group also generates search and search-related advertising revenues through the discontinued operations of Sogou.

The principal subsidiaries and VIEs through which the Group conducts its business operations as of December 31, 2020 are described below:


Name of Entity	Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Place of Incorporation/ Acquisition	Effective Interest held
Subsidiaries:
For Sohu:
Sohu.com (Hong Kong) Limited (“Sohu HK”)	Incorporated on April 19, 2000	Hong Kong		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Era”)	Incorporated on July 25, 2003	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”)	Incorporated on October 28, 2005	Cayman Islands		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Media”)	Incorporated on June 19, 2006	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu.com (Game) Limited (“Sohu Game”)	Incorporated on February 11, 2008	Cayman Islands		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Momentum Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu New Momentum”)	Incorporated on May 31, 2010	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Fox Video Limited (“Sohu Video”)	Incorporated on July 26, 2011	Cayman Islands		100	%
Fox Information Technology (Tianjin) Limited (“Video Tianjin”)	Incorporated on November 17, 2011	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu Focus Limited (“Sohu Focus”)	Incorporated on July 11, 2013	Cayman Islands		100	%
For Changyou:
Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou”)	Incorporated on August 6, 2007	Cayman Islands		100	%
Changyou.com (HK) Limited (“Changyou HK”)	Incorporated on August 13, 2007	Hong Kong		100	%
Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“AmazGame”)	Incorporated on September 26, 2007	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamespace”)	Incorporated on October 29, 2009	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Changyou.com Korea LLC (“Changyou Korea”)	Incorporated on January 7, 2010	Korea		100	%
Beijing Changyou Chuangxiang Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Changyou Chuangxiang”)	Incorporated on November 8, 2016	People’s Republic of China		100	%
For Sogou:
Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”)	Incorporated on December 23, 2005	Cayman Islands		34	%
Sogou (BVI) Limited (“Sogou BVI”)	Incorporated on December 23, 2005	British Virgin Islands		34	%
Beijing Sogou Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Technology”)	Incorporated on February 8, 2006	People’s Republic of China		34	%
Sogou Hong Kong Limited (“Sogou HK”)	Incorporated on December 12, 2007	Hong Kong		34	%
Vast Creation Advertising Media Services Limited (“Vast Creation”)	Acquired on November 30, 2011	Hong Kong		34	%
Beijing Sogou Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Sogou Network”)	Incorporated on March 29, 2012	People’s Republic of China		34	%


Sogou (Shantou) Internet Microcredit Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Microcredit”)	Incorporated on November 22, 2017	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Sogou (Hangzhou) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Hangzhou”)	Incorporated on April 28, 2018	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Shantou Ying Zhong Bai Fu Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Financing Guarantee”)	Incorporated on July 24, 2019	People’s Republic of China	34	%
VIEs:
For Sohu:
Beijing Century High-Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (“High Century”)	Incorporated on December 28, 2001	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Heng Da Yi Tong”)	Incorporated on February 7, 2002	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Internet”)	Incorporated on July 31, 2003	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Sohu Donglin Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Donglin”)	Incorporated on May 17, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd (“Tianjin Jinhu”)	Incorporated on November 24, 2011	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Focus Interactive Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Focus Interactive”)	Incorporated on July 15, 2014	People’s Republic of China	100	%
For Changyou:
Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”)	Incorporated on August 23, 2007	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai ICE”)	Acquired on May 28, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanyou Gamespace”)	Incorporated on August 5, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
For Sogou:
Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd.(“Sogou Information”)	Incorporated on December 28, 2005	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Chengdu Easypay Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Easypay”)	Incorporated on January 19, 2015	People’s Republic of China	34	%

Sohu’s Business

Brand Advertising Busines

Sohu’s main business is the brand advertising business, which offers to users, over Sohu’s matrices of Chinese language online media, various content, products and services across multiple Internet-enabled devices such as mobile phones, tablets and PCs. The majority of Sohu’s products and services are provided in China through Sohu Media Portal, Sohu Video and Focus.

•

Sohu Media Portal.

Sohu Media Portal is a leading online news and information provider in China. It provides users with access to comprehensive content through the mobile phone application Sohu News APP, the mobile portal m.sohu.com and www.sohu.com for PCs;

•

Sohu Video.

Sohu Video is an online video content and service provider in China through the mobile phone application Sohu Video APP, tv.sohu.com and the PC video application ifox for PCs; and

•

Focus.

Focus (www.focus.cn) is an online real estate information and services provider in China.

Revenues generated by the brand advertising business are classified as brand advertising revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Other Sohu Business

Sohu also engages in the other business, which consists primarily of paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services, and

sub-licensing

of purchased video content to third parties. Revenues generated by Sohu from the other business are classified as other revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Changyou’s Business

Changyou’s business lines consist of the online game business and the platform channel business, which consists primarily of online advertising and mobile game distribution services. Before ceasing its operations in August 2019, Changyou also operated a cinema advertising business, which consisted primarily of the acquisition from operators of movie theaters, and the sale to advertisers, of

pre-film

advertising slots.

Online Game Business

Changyou’s online game business offers PC games and mobile games to game players. All of Changyou’s games are operated under the item-based revenue model, meaning that game players can play the games for free, but may choose to pay for virtual items, which are

non-physical

items that game players can purchase and use within a game, such as gems, pets, fashion items, magic medicine, riding animals, hierograms, skill books and fireworks. Revenues derived from the operation of online games are classified as online game revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

PC Games

PC games are interactive online games that are accessed and played simultaneously by hundreds of thousands of game players through personal computers and require that local

client-end

game access software be installed on the computers used. Changyou’s dominant game is Tian Long Ba Bu (“TLBB”), a PC based

client-end

game. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from TLBB were $309.7 million, accounting for approximately 58% of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 56% of Changyou’s total revenues and approximately 41% of the Sohu Group’s total revenues.

Mobile Games

Mobile games are played on mobile devices and require an Internet connection. In the second quarter of 2017, Changyou launched a mobile game, Legacy TLBB (“Legacy TLBB Mobile”), which is operated by Tencent under license from Changyou. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from Legacy TLBB Mobile were $88.3 million, accounting for approximately 16% of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 16% of Changyou’s total revenues, and approximately 12% of the Sohu Group’s total revenues.

Platform Channel Business

Changyou’s platform channel business consists primarily of the operation of the 17173.com Website. Prior to RaidCall’s ceasing operations in March 2019 and the sale of MoboTap Inc. (“MoboTap”) in March 2018, Changyou’s platform channel business also included RaidCall and MoboTap.

17173.com Website

The 17173.com Website provides news, electronic forums, online videos, and other online game information services to game players, as well as mobile game distribution services. Changyou generates online advertising revenues from providing advertising services to third-party advertisers on the 17173.com Website and online game revenues from mobile game distribution services.

RaidCall

Prior to ceasing operations in March 2019, RaidCall provided online music and entertainment services, primarily in Taiwan. IVAS revenues that were generated by RaidCall are classified as other revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Cinema Advertising Business (Discontinued)

Prior to ceasing its operations in August 2019, Changyou also operated a cinema advertising business, which consisted primarily of the acquisition from operators of movie theaters, and the sale to advertisers, of

pre-film

advertising slots. Revenues that were generated by Changyou’s cinema advertising business are reflected as discontinued operations in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Changyou’s Share Structure

As a result of the completion of the Changyou Merger on April 17, 2020, Sohu held, and continues to hold, 100% of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares and 100% of the total voting power in Changyou. Sohu consolidates Changyou in its consolidated financial statements and, prior to the completion of the Changyou Merger on April 17, 2020, also provided for noncontrolling interests reflecting ordinary shares in Changyou held by shareholders other than the Company (“Changyou noncontrolling shareholders”).

Sogou’s Business (Discontinued)

On September 29, 2020, Sohu, Sohu Search, and Tencent Merger Sub entered into the Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase Agreement. Upon the signing of the Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase Agreement, Sogou met the criteria for discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations for Sogou’s search and search-related business and other business have been excluded from Sohu’s results from continuing operations. Revenues that were generated by Sogou’s search and search-related business and other business are reflected as discontinued operations in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Search and Search-related Business

The search and search-related business consists primarily of search and search-related advertising services offered by Sogou. Search and search-related advertising services enable advertisers’ promotional links to be displayed on Sogou’s search results pages and other Internet properties and third parties’ Internet properties where the links are relevant to the subject and content of searches and such properties. Sogou’s advertising services expand distribution of advertisers’ promotional links and advertisements by leveraging traffic on third parties’ Internet properties, including Web content, software, and mobile applications. The search and search-related business benefits from Sogou’s collaboration with Tencent Holdings Limited (together with its subsidiaries, “Tencent”), which provides Sogou access to traffic and content generated from products and services provided by Tencent.

Other Sogou Business

Sogou also offers IVAS, primarily with respect to the operation of Web games and mobile games developed by third parties, and offers other products and services, including smart hardware products and online lending and microcredit services.

Initial Public Offering of Sogou

On November 13, 2017, Sogou completed its IPO on the NYSE, trading under the symbol “SOGO.” Proceeds to Sogou from the IPO were approximately $622.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, pursuant to the Voting Agreement among Sohu, Tencent, and Sogou (the “Voting Agreement”) that took effect upon the completion of Sogou’s IPO, Sohu has the right to appoint a majority of Sogou’s Board of Directors, and Sohu continues to consolidate Sogou in Sohu’s financial statements and provide for noncontrolling interests reflecting ordinary shares in Sogou held by shareholders other than Sohu. In the fourth quarter of 2017, Sohu recognized a

one-time

credit to additional

paid-in

capital of $278.4 million in shareholders’ equity in Sohu’s consolidated balance sheets to reflect the increase in the value of Sohu’s equity in Sogou that resulted from the completion of Sogou’s IPO.

Sogou’s Share Structure

Sogou’s Ordinary Shares are divided into Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares. Holders of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and holders of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares have identical rights with the exception of voting and conversion rights. Each Sogou Class A Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote per share and is not convertible. Each Sogou Class B Ordinary Share is entitled to ten votes per share and is convertible into one Sogou Class A Ordinary Share at any time.

As of December 31, 2020, Sogou had a combined total of 387,590,916 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding, consisting of:

(i)	Sohu: 127,200,000 Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares held by Sohu for its own account, and 3,717,250 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares held by Sohu for the purpose of issuance upon the exercise of outstanding share-based awards and future share-based awards;

(ii)	Tencent: 151,557,875 Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares;

(iii)

Photon: 24,686,863 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares; and

(iv)	Shareholders other than Sohu, Tencent, and Photon: 80,428,928 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares, including Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares represented by Sogou ADSs.

The total number of Sogou outstanding shares listed above include 1,899,000 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares that are outstanding for legal purposes, but have been determined to be Sogou treasury stock for accounting purposes.

Voting Agreement between Sohu, Tencent and Sogou

Pursuant to the Voting Agreement, Sohu and Tencent agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, (1) within three years following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, Sohu will vote all Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares and any Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares held by it and Tencent will vote 45,578,896 of its Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares to elect a Board of Directors consisting of seven directors, four of whom will be appointed by Sohu, two of whom will be appointed by Tencent, and the seventh of whom will be Sogou’s then chief executive officer,

and (2)

after three years following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, Sohu will be entitled to choose to change the size and composition of Sogou’s Board of Directors, subject to Tencent’s right to appoint at least one director

. The effect of these provisions is to give Sohu the power to appoint a majority of Sogou’s Board of Directors, and to give Tencent the power to appoint

two

directors within three years following the completion of Sogou’s IPO and at least

one

director after three years after the completion of Sogou’s IPO. The Voting Agreement also provides that, subject to certain conditions, for so long as Sohu and Tencent together hold more than

% of the total voting power of the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares, Sohu or Tencent may remove and replace any director appointed by it. These provisions of the Voting Agreement are also reflected in Sogou’s Third Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association (“Sogou’s Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association”) and Seventh Amended and Restated Articles of Association (“Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association”).

Due to the additional voting power of the Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares held by Sohu and Tencent, as of the date of this report Sohu holds approximately 34% of the total of Sogou’s outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares and controls approximately 44% of the total voting power of the combined total of Sogou’s outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares; Tencent has an indirect shareholding of approximately 39% of the total of Sogou’s outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares and controls approximately 52% of the total voting power of the combined total of Sogou’s outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares; and Sohu and Tencent together have the power to decide all matters that may be brought to a vote of Sogou’s shareholders.

The Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association also specify that for so long as Sohu or Tencent holds not less than 15% of Sogou’s issued shares (calculated on a fully diluted basis), consent from the holder of 15% or more (either or both of Sohu or Tencent, as the case may be) will be required (1) to amend Sogou’s Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association or Amended and Restated Articles of Association, (2) to make material changes in Sogou’s principal lines of business, (3) to issue any additional Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares, (4) to create any new class or series of shares that is pari passu with or senior to the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares, (5) for Sogou to approve a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Sogou, or a merger or consolidation resulting in a change in control, or any disposition of all or substantially all of Sogou’s assets, or (6) for Sogou to enter into any transactions with affiliates of Sohu, other than in the ordinary course of business. Of these corporate actions that are subject to consent of Sohu or Tencent (as applicable), shareholder approval is required under the Companies Law of the Cayman Islands for any amendment of Sogou’s Amended and Restated Memorandum of Association or Amended and Restated Articles of Association, any

winding-up

of Sogou Inc., or any merger or consolidation with a third-party entity. The Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association further provide that if Sogou’s shareholders have voted in favor of any of these actions requiring the approval of Sogou’s shareholders but consent from Sohu or Tencent (as applicable) has not been obtained, then the holders of all classes of Sogou’s shares who have voted against such action will be deemed to have such number of votes as are equal to the aggregate number of votes cast in favor of such actions plus one additional vote. Under these provisions of the Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association, if an action is proposed for which the consent of either Tencent or Sohu is required, the failure to obtain the consent of Tencent or Sohu will have the effect of the proposed action’s not being approved, even if Sogou’s other shareholders approve it.

The Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association also specify that if at any time Sohu alone holds more than 50% of the total voting power of the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares and the Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares, the voting arrangements with respect to the size and composition of Sogou’s Board of Directors will be automatically suspended until such time within five years after the completion of Sogou’s IPO as Sohu’s voting power again drops to 50% or less, in which case the original voting arrangements will be reinstated, provided that Tencent will only be required to vote the lower of 45,578,896 Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares held by it or such number as would give Sohu combined voting power of 50.1%. If such a suspension continues after the fifth anniversary of the completion of Sogou’s IPO, the voting arrangements with respect to the size and composition of Sogou’s Board of Directors will terminate.

All of the Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares held by Sohu will be converted into Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares if there is a transaction resulting in change of control of Sohu that was not approved by Sohu’s board of directors, if specified competitors of Tencent control Sohu, or if a majority of Sohu’s board of directors consist of nominees of specified competitors of Tencent. The provisions with respect to the size and composition of Sogou’s Board of Directors set out in the Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association will terminate upon occurrence of any such event. Such arrangements will also terminate (1) if Dr. Charles Zhang, the chairman of the board of directors of Sohu and the chief executive officer, both ceases being the chairman of the board of directors of Sohu and ceases being the single largest beneficial owner of Sohu’s outstanding shares; (2) if Sohu transfers 30% or more of the Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares that Sohu held upon the completion of Sogou’s IPO; (3) if Sogou fails to provide irrevocable instructions to the person maintaining Sogou’s register of members to accept instructions from Tencent, under certain circumstances, with respect to the conversion of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares held by Sohu; (4) or Sogou changes, without Tencent’s consent, the person that maintains Sogou’s register of members; (5) or if Tencent ceases to own any Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares.

Under the Voting Agreement, Sohu and Tencent are subject to certain restrictions on transfer of their Sogou Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares. In particular, a transfer of Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares by either Sohu or Tencent, respectively, to any person or entity that is not a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sohu or Tencent, respectively, will cause such Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares to be converted into Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares.

Voting Agreement between Sohu, Photon and Sogou Management

Sohu may be deemed to have beneficial ownership attributable to shared voting power of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares beneficially owned by Photon Group Limited (“Photon”), an investment vehicle of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Charles Zhang, Sogou’s chief executive officer Xiaochuan Wang, and certain other members of the Sogou management, as a result of a voting agreement by and among Sohu, Photon, Mr. Wang and the other members of Sogou management, pursuant to which Photon, Mr. Wang, and the other members of Sogou Management have agreed to vote their Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares (not including shares acquired by Mr. Wang in the public market following Sogou’s IPO) to elect Sohu’s designees to Sogou’s Board of Directors.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Discontinued operations

A component of a reporting entity or a group of components of a reporting entity that are disposed of or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale should be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Discontinued operations are reported when a component of an entity comprising operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity is classified as held for disposal or has been disposed of, if the component either (1) represents a strategic shift or (2) has a major impact on an entity’s financial results and operations. In the statement of financial position, the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation are presented separately in the asset and liability sections, respectively, of the statement of financial position and prior periods are presented on a comparative basis. In the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, results from discontinued operations are reported separately from the income and expenses from continuing operations and prior periods are presented on a comparative basis. Cash flows for discontinued operations are presented separately in the consolidated statements of cash flows. In order to present the financial effects of the continuing operations and discontinued operations, revenues and expenses arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated except for those revenues and expenses that are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations.

Accounting Standards

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) to reflect the financial position and results of operations of the Sohu Group.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of these financial statements requires the Sohu Group to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses, and related disclosures. On an

on-going

basis, the Group evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Identified below are the accounting policies that reflect the Group’s most significant estimates and judgments, and those that the Group believes are the most critical to fully understanding and evaluating its consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation and Recognition of Noncontrolling Interest

The Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. All intra-Group transactions are eliminated except for revenues and expenses arising from intra-group transactions that are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations.

VIE Consolidation

The Sohu Group’s VIEs are wholly or partially owned by certain employees of the Group as nominee shareholders. For consolidated VIEs, management made evaluations of the relationships between the Sohu Group and the VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangements with the VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of such contractual arrangements, the Group controls the shareholders’ voting interests in these VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, management concluded that the Sohu Group is the primary beneficiary of its consolidated VIEs.

Noncontrolling Interest Recognition

Noncontrolling interests are recognized to reflect the portion of the equity of subsidiaries and VIEs which is not attributable, directly or indirectly, to the controlling shareholders. Currently, the noncontrolling interests in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements primarily consist of noncontrolling interests for Changyou and Sogou.

Noncontrolling Interest for Changyou

Prior to the completion of the Changyou Merger on April 17, 2020, Sohu consolidated Changyou in its consolidated financial statements, and also recognized noncontrolling interest reflecting the economic interest in Changyou held by Changyou noncontrolling shareholders. Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders is recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income, based on the noncontrolling shareholders’ share of the economic interest in Changyou. Changyou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Changyou noncontrolling shareholders, along with changes in shareholders’ equity, adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to those share-based awards which are unvested and vested but not yet settled and adjustment for changes in the Company’s ownership in Changyou, are recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets. As a result of the completion of Sohu’s acquisition of the noncontrolling interests in Changyou on April 17, 2020, Sohu holds 100% of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares and 100% of the total voting power in Changyou. Sohu consolidates Changyou in its consolidated financial statements, and no noncontrolling interests are recognized except for noncontrolling interests reflecting economic interests in Changyou’s subsidiaries held by shareholders other than Changyou.

Noncontrolling Interest for Sogou

Prior to the completion of Sogou’s IPO in November 2017, the Company controlled the election of a majority of the Board of Directors of Sogou pursuant to a shareholders’ agreement that expired upon the completion of the IPO. Following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, pursuant to the Voting Agreement and Sogou’s Amended and Restated Articles of Association, the Company still has the right to appoint a majority of Sogou’s Board of Directors.

As Sogou’s controlling shareholder, the Company consolidates Sogou in its consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations, and recognizes noncontrolling interest reflecting economic interests in Sogou held by Sogou noncontrolling shareholders. Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling interest shareholders is recorded as net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest shareholders in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Sogou’s cumulative results of operations attributable to the Sogou noncontrolling shareholders, based on their share of the economic interest in Sogou, along with changes in shareholders’ equity and adjustment for share-based compensation expense in relation to share-based awards that are unvested and vested but not yet settled and adjustment for changes in the Sohu Group’s ownership percentage in Sogou, are recorded as noncontrolling interest in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets.

Segment Reporting

The Sohu Group’s segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”), or the decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group’s CODM is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Revenue Recognition

Impact of Adoption of ASC 606

On January 1, 2018, the Sohu Group adopted ASC 606, applying the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior-period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Group’s historic accounting under ASC 605.

Under ASC 605,

advertising-for-advertising

barter transactions for which the fair value of the advertising services was not determinable were recorded at the carrying amount of the advertising surrendered, since the Group did not settle such barter transactions with the counterparties in cash. As ASC 605 has been superseded by ASC 606 on this subject,

advertising-for-advertising

barter transactions are to be recorded at the fair value of the advertising received by reference to the fair value of advertising services provided to other customers.

Under ASC 606, revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the Group’s customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenues involves certain management judgments, including estimated lives of virtual items purchased by game players, the estimation of the fair value of an

advertising-for-advertising

barter transaction, allocation of upfront license fees for

licensed-out

games between license and post-sale services, and volume sales rebates. The Group does not believe that significant management judgements are involved in revenue recognition, but the amount and timing of the Group’s revenues could be different for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.

The following table presents the Group’s revenues disaggregated by products and services:


	Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	127,612		0		127,612
Sohu Video		53,886		0		53,886
Focus		31,144		0		31,144
17173.com Website		0		19,697		19,697
Online games:
PC games		0		236,743		236,743
Mobile games		0		151,737		151,737
Other games		0		1,308		1,308
Others		61,974		6,074		68,048

Total	$	274,616		415,559		690,175


	Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	94,692		0		94,692
Sohu Video		34,529		0		34,529
Focus		32,120		0		32,120
17173.com Website		0		13,715		13,715
Online games:
PC games		0		267,752		267,752
Mobile games		0		172,718		172,718
Other games		0		432		432
Others		57,082		763		57,845

Total	$	218,423		455,380		673,803

	Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	86,293		0		86,293
Sohu Video		25,312		0		25,312
Focus		23,281		0		23,281
17173.com Website		0		11,640		11,640
Online games:
PC games		0		353,737		353,737
Mobile games		0		182,947		182,947
Other games		0		0		0
Others		66,658		22		66,680
Total	$	201,544		548,346		749,890

Brand Advertising Revenues

Brand advertising revenues are generated from brand advertising services. Certain customers may receive sales rebates, which are accounted for as variable consideration. The Group estimates the annual expected revenue volume from each agent with reference to its historical results. Sales rebates will reduce revenues recognized. The Group recognizes revenue for the amount of fees it receives from its advertisers, after deducting sales rebates and net of value-added tax (“VAT”). There have not been any significant changes, and the Group believes that there will not be significant changes, to its estimates of variable consideration.

Brand Advertising Revenues

Revenue Recognition of Multiple Performance Obligations

The Group’s contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, the Group allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Group generally determines the standalone selling price of each distinct performance obligation based on the prices charged to customers when sold on a standalone basis. Where a standalone selling price is not directly observable, the Group generally estimates the selling price based on the prices at which performance obligations of a similar nature and geography are charged to customers. Most of such contracts have all performance obligations completed within the same quarter.

Pricing Model

Through mobile devices and PCs, the Group provides advertisement placements to its advertisers on different Internet platforms and in different formats, which include banners, links, logos, buttons, full screen,

pre-roll,

mid-roll,

post-roll video screens, pause video screens, loading page ads, news feed ads,

in-feed

video infomercial ads and other formats.

Currently the Group has three main types of pricing models, consisting of the Fixed Price model, the Cost Per Impression (“CPM”) model and the Cost Per Click (“CPC”) model.

(i)	Fixed Price model

Under the Fixed Price model, a contract is signed to establish a fixed price for the advertising services to be provided. Given that the advertisers benefit from displayed advertisements evenly over the period the advertisements are displayed, the Group recognizes revenue on a straight-line basis over the period of display, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

(ii)

CPM model

Under the CPM model, the unit price for each qualifying display is fixed and stated in the contract with the advertiser. A qualifying display is defined as the appearance of an advertisement, where the advertisement meets criteria specified in the contract. Given that the fees are priced consistently throughout the contract and the unit prices are fixed in accordance with the Group’s pricing practices for similar advertisers, the Group recognizes revenue based on the fixed unit prices and the number of qualifying displays upon their occurrence, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

(iii)

CPC model

Under the CPC model, there is no fixed price for advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser and the unit price for each click is auction-based. The Group charges advertisers on a

per-click

basis, when the users click on the advertisements. Given that the fees are priced consistently throughout the contract and the unit prices are fixed in accordance with the Group’s pricing practices for similar advertisers, the Group recognizes revenue based on qualifying clicks and unit price upon the occurrence of the clicks, provided all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Online Game Revenues

Changyou’s online game revenues are generated primarily from its self-operated and

licensed-out

PC games and mobile games. Prior to the sale of the MoboTap business in 2018, Changyou also generated a small amount of revenues from online card and board games. All of Changyou’s games are operated under the item-based revenue model, where the basic game play functions are free of charge and players are charged for purchases of

in-game

virtual items, including those with a predetermined expiration time and perpetual virtual items.

Changyou is the principal of its self-operated games. Changyou hosts the games on its own servers and is responsible for the sale and marketing of the games as well as customer service. Accordingly, revenues are recorded gross of revenue sharing-payments to third-party developers and/or mobile APP stores, but net of VAT and discounts to game card distributors where applicable. Changyou obtains revenues from the sale of

in-game

virtual items. Revenues are recognized over time for virtual items with estimated lives and upon use for items that are consumed immediately. If different assumptions were used in deriving the estimated lives of the virtual items, the timing of the recording of the revenues would be impacted.

PC Games

Proceeds from Changyou’s self-operated PC games are collected from players and third-party game card distributors through sales of Changyou’s game points on its online payment platform and prepaid game cards.

Changyou’s self-operated PC games are either developed in house or licensed from third-party developers. For licensed PC games, Changyou remits a

pre-agreed

percentage of the proceeds to the third-party developers, and keeps the balance, pursuant to revenue-sharing agreements. Such revenue-sharing amounts paid to third-party developers are recorded in Changyou’s cost of revenues.

Mobile Games

Self-operated Mobile Games

For self-operated mobile games, Changyou sells game points to its game players via third-party mobile APP stores. The mobile APP stores in turn pay Changyou proceeds after deducting their share of

pre-agreed

revenue-sharing amounts.

Changyou’s self-operated mobile games are either developed in house or licensed from or jointly developed with third-party developers. For licensed and jointly-developed mobile games, Changyou remits a

pre-agreed

percentage of the proceeds to the third-party developers, and keeps the balance, pursuant to revenue-sharing agreements. Such revenue-sharing amounts paid to mobile application stores and third-party developers are included in Changyou’s cost of revenues.

Licensed Out Mobile Games

Changyou also authorizes third parties to operate its mobile games. Licensed out games include mobile games developed in house, such as Changyou’s mobile game Legacy TLBB Mobile, and mobile games jointly developed with third-party developers. Changyou receives monthly revenue-based royalty payments from the third-party licensee operators. Changyou receives additional

up-front

license fees from certain third-party licensee operators who are entitled to an exclusive right to operate Changyou’s games in specified geographic areas. Since Changyou is obligated to provide post-sale services (“PCS”), the initial license fees are allocated between the license and PCS based on relative standalone selling prices. The amount allocated to the license is recognized as revenue upon the commencement of the license period, given that Changyou’s intellectual property rights subject to the license are considered to be functional and the licensee has the right to use such intellectual property rights as they exist at the point when the license is granted, and the amount allocated to PCS is recognized as revenue ratably over the license period. Monthly revenue-based royalty payments are recognized when the relevant services are delivered, provided that collectability is reasonably assured. Changyou views the third-party licensee operators as Changyou’s customers and recognizes revenues on a net basis, as Changyou does not have the primary responsibility for fulfillment and acceptability of the game services. Changyou remits to the third-party developers a

pre-agreed

percentage of revenues and keeps the balance pursuant to revenue-sharing agreements. Such revenue-sharing amounts paid to third-party developers are included in Changyou’s cost of revenues or product development expenses.

Other Revenues

Sohu

Other revenues attributable to Sohu consist primarily of revenues from paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services, and

sub-licensing

of purchased video content to third parties.

Changyou

Other revenues attributable to Changyou are primarily from IVAS.

Revenues generated from Changyou’s IVAS were derived primarily from software applications for PCs and mobile devices offered by RaidCall, which ceased operations in March 2019. Prior to March 2018, IVAS revenues also included revenues generated from the Dolphin Browser operated by MoboTap. Revenues from IVAS are recognized during the period the services are rendered or items are consumed under the gross method, as Changyou is the principal obligor for provision of the services.

As of August 12, 2019, the Sohu Group ceased consolidating Changyou’s cinema advertising business in its consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, the financial results of the cinema advertising business are excluded from the Sohu Group’s results from continuing operations and are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements, and retrospective adjustments to the Sohu Group’s historical audited consolidated financial statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison.

Contract Balances

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accounts receivable represent amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing, when the Group has satisfied its performance obligations and has the unconditional right to payment. The allowance for credit losses is estimated based upon the Group’s assessment of various factors, including past collection experience and consideration of current and future economic conditions and other factors that may affect the Group’s customers’ ability to pay. Contract assets as of December 31, 2020 were not material. The allowance for credit losses was $7.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue relate to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period and primarily consist of fees received from game players in the online game business and from advertisers in the brand advertising business. Due to the generally short-term duration of the contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. The amount of revenue recognized that was included in the receipts in advance and deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was $42.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

There was no significant change in the contract assets and contract liability balances during 2020.

Revenue recognized in 2020 from performance obligations related to prior years was not material.

Practical Expedients

The Group has used the following practical expedients as allowed under ASC 606:

(i) The transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied has not been disclosed, as substantially all of the Group’s contracts have a duration of one year or less.

(ii) Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of prepayment or payment within one year or less. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, the Group has determined that its contracts generally do not include a significant financing component.

(iii) The Group applied the portfolio approach in determining the commencement date of consumption and the estimated lives of virtual items for the recognition of games revenue, given that the effect of applying a portfolio approach to a group game players’ behaviors would not differ materially from considering each one of them individually.

(iv) The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would be one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of Brand Advertising Revenues

Cost of brand advertising revenues mainly consists of content and license costs, salary and benefits expenses, and bandwidth service costs. For self-developed video content, production costs incurred in excess of the amount of revenue contracted for are expensed as incurred.

Cost of Online Game Revenues

Cost of online game revenues mainly consists of revenue-sharing payments, salary and benefits expenses, bandwidth service costs, tax surcharges, depreciation and amortization expenses, content and license costs, and other direct costs.

Cost of Other Revenues

Cost of other revenues mainly consists of revenue-sharing payments related to interactive broadcasting services, content and license costs related to paid subscription services, revenue-sharing payments related to paid subscription services.

Product Development Expenses

Product development expenses mainly consist of salary and benefits expenses, content and license costs, depreciation and amortization expenses, professional fees, share-based compensation, and facilities expenses. These expenses are incurred for the enhancement and maintenance of the Sohu Group’s Internet platforms as well as for its products and services. The development costs of online games are expensed as incurred, including the development costs of online games prior to the establishment of technological feasibility and maintenance costs after the online games are available for marketing.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses mainly consist of advertising and promotional expenses, salary and benefits expenses, travel and entertainment expenses, and facilities expenses. Advertising and promotional expenses generally represent the expenses of promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Sohu Group or a desire to subscribe for the Group’s products and services. Advertising and promotional expenses are expensed as incurred.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of salary and benefits expenses, professional fees, share-based compensation, bad debts, travel and entertainment expenses, and facilities expenses.

Share-based Compensation Expense

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou, Sogou, and Sohu Video have incentive plans for the granting of share-based awards, including share options and restricted share units, to members of the boards of directors, management and other key employees.

For share-based awards for which a grant date has occurred, share-based compensation expense is recognized as costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income based on the fair value of the related share-based awards on their grant dates. For share-based awards for which the service inception date precedes the grant date, share-based compensation expense is recognized as costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income beginning on the service inception date and is

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the related share-based awards. Share-based compensation expense is charged to the shareholders’ equity or noncontrolling interest section in the consolidated balance sheets. The assumptions used in share-based compensation expense recognition represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. If factors change or different assumptions are used, the Group’s share-based compensation expense could be materially different for any period. Moreover, the estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that ultimately will be realized by employees who receive equity awards.

After the completion of the Changyou Merger, the board of directors of Sohu (the “Sohu Board”) approved a modification plan for the granted but unvested share options under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan and the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan (the “Changyou Plans’ Modification”). After the Changyou Plans’ Modification, liability will be accrued over the service period based on a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share, which equals the Changyou Merger consideration of $5.40 per Changyou Class A ordinary share minus the per-share exercise price of $0.01 of such options. No subsequent fair value re-measurement will be made given the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount underlying such vested share options.

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou, and Sogou Share-based Awards

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) Share-based Awards

In determining the fair value of share options granted by Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) as share-based awards, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was used, and a binomial valuation model was applied. In determining the fair value of restricted share units granted, the public market price of the underlying shares on the grant dates was applied.

Upon the dissolution of Sohu.com Inc. on May 31, 2018, Sohu.com Limited assumed all then existing obligations of Sohu.com Inc. with respect to equity incentive awards that had been granted under Sohu.com Inc.’s Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan”) and remained outstanding, and such awards were converted into the right to receive upon exercise or settlement Sohu.com Limited’s ordinary shares under the Sohu.com Limited 2018 Share Incentive Plan (the “Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan”) rather than shares of the common stock of Sohu.com Inc., subject to the other terms of such outstanding awards. Options for the purchase of Sohu.com Limited’s ordinary shares, including options converted from those contractually granted under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, are subject to vesting in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets.

Under ASC

718-10-25,

no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between Sohu and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance with ASC

718-10-55,

as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. The estimate of the awards’ fair values will be fixed in the period in which the grant date occurs, and cumulative compensation expense will be adjusted based on the fair value at the grant date.

Changyou Share-based Awards

Options for the purchase of Changyou Class A ordinary shares contractually granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan and the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan are subject to vesting in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. Under ASC

718-10-25,

no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between Changyou and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance with ASC

718-10-55,

as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. The estimates of the awards’ fair values will be fixed in the period in which the grant date occurs, and cumulative compensation expense will be adjusted based on the fair values at the grant date. In determining the fair values of Changyou share options granted, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date was used, and a binomial valuation model was applied.

After the Changyou Plans’ Modification, a portion of the share options previously granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger were settled by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share, which equals the Changyou Merger consideration of $5.40 per Changyou Class A ordinary share minus the

per-share

exercise price of $0.01 of such options. None of the remaining share options granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger or that become vested in the future, and none of the share options granted under the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan, will be exercisable, but can only be repurchased by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share underlying such vested share options upon termination of the option holders’ employment or upon approval of the Chairman of the Sohu Board. As a result of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, share-based compensation expense will be accrued over the service period based on the fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share. No subsequent fair value

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

As of December 31, 2020, 4,210,000 of these Changyou share options had been granted and had become vested on their respective vesting dates, as a mutual understanding of the subjective performance targets had been reached between Changyou and the recipients, the targets had been satisfied, and the service period requirements had been fulfilled. Cumulative share-based compensation expense of $15.7 million was accrued based on the fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Sogou Share-based Award

In determining the fair value of share options granted by Sogou as share-based awards, a binomial valuation model was applied. The determination of the fair value is affected by the fair value of the ordinary shares as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables, including risk-free interest rates, exercise multiples, expected forfeiture rates, expected share price volatility rates, and expected dividends. The fair values of the ordinary shares were determined based on the trading price of Sogou ADSs in the public market.

Before Sogou’s adoption of ASU

2018-07

“Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, share-based compensation expense for share options granted to

non-employees

was measured at fair value at the earlier of the performance commitment date or the date service was completed and recognized over the period during which the service was provided. Sogou applied the guidance in ASC

505-50

to measure share options granted to

non-employees

based on the then-current fair value at each reporting date until the service was provided and the performance targets were met. After Sogou’s adoption of ASU

2018-07,

share-based compensation expense for share options granted to

non-employees

is recognized in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718 for employee share-based compensation awards.

Compensation Expense Recognition

For options and restricted share units granted with respect to Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) and Changyou shares, compensation expense is recognized on an accelerated basis upon the requisite service period and certain subjective performance targets being met. For share options granted with respect to Sogou shares, compensation expense is recognized over the estimated period during which the service period requirement and performance target will be met, which is usually within one year, or, after the performance target of Sogou’s completion of an IPO was met upon the completion of Sogou’s IPO on November 13, 2017, on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period, or, for options with only service period requirement, on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period. For Tencent restricted share units that Tencent had granted to employees who transferred to Sogou with the Soso search and search-related businesses, compensation expense is recognized by Sogou on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period, and the fair value of the share-based compensation is

re-measured

at each reporting date until the service has been provided. Compensation expense recognized by Sogou is reflected as discontinued operations in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The number of share-based awards for which the service is not expected to be rendered over the requisite period is estimated, and no compensation expense is recorded for the number of awards so estimated.

Sohu Video Share-based Awards

On January 4, 2012, Sohu Video, the holding entity of Sohu’s video division, adopted a 2011 Share Incentive Plan (the “Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan”) which provides for the issuance of up to 25,000,000 ordinary shares of Sohu Video (representing approximately 10% of the outstanding Sohu Video shares on a fully-diluted basis) to management and key employees of the video division and to Sohu management. As of December 31, 2020, grants of options for the purchase of 16,368,200 ordinary shares of Sohu Video had been contractually made, of which options for the purchase of 4,972,800 ordinary shares were vested.

For purposes of ASC

718-10-25,

as of December 31, 2020, no

grant

date

had occurred, because the broader terms and conditions of the option awards had neither been finalized nor mutually agreed upon with the recipients. Therefore the fair value of the awards was not determinable and could not be accounted for. In accordance with ASC

718-10-55,

the Group’s management determined that the service inception date with respect to vested option awards for the purchase of 4,972,800 shares had preceded the grant date. Therefore, the Group recognized compensation expense for these vested Sohu Video share-based awards and

re-measured,

and will

re-measure,

the compensation expense on each subsequent reporting date based on the then-current fair values of these vested awards until the grant date is established.

Taxation

PRC Corporate Income Tax

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach which requires the recognition of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Group’s financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income taxes are determined based on the differences between the accounting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if based on available evidence, it is considered that it is more likely than not that some portion of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making such determination, the Group considers factors including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future profitability, and tax planning strategies. If events were to occur in the future that would allow the Group to realize more of its deferred tax assets than the presently recorded net amount, an adjustment would be made to the deferred tax assets that would increase income for the period when those events occurred. If events were to occur in the future that would require the Group to realize less of its deferred tax assets than the presently recorded net amount, an adjustment would be made to the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets that would decrease income for the period when those events occurred. Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The Group’s deferred tax assets are related to net operating losses and temporary differences between accounting basis and tax basis for its China-based Subsidiaries and VIEs, which are subject to corporate income tax in the PRC under the PRC Corporate Income Tax Law (the “CIT Law”).

PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends

The CIT Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax on dividends distributed by foreign invested enterprises in the PRC to their immediate holding companies outside Mainland China. A lower withholding tax rate may be applied if there is a tax treaty between Mainland China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. A holding company in Hong Kong, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate under an arrangement between the PRC and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on the “Avoidance of Double Taxation and Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income,” if such holding company is considered a

non-PRC

resident enterprise and holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the PRC foreign invested enterprise distributing the dividends, subject to approval of the PRC local tax authority. However, if the Hong Kong holding company is not considered to be the beneficial owner of such dividends under applicable PRC tax regulations, such dividend will remain subject to a withholding tax rate of 10%.

PRC Value Added Tax

On May 1, 2016, the transition from the imposition of PRC business tax to the imposition of VAT was expanded to all industries in China, and all of the Sohu Group’s revenues have been subject to VAT since that date. To record VAT payable, the Group adopted the net presentation method, which presents the difference between the output VAT (at rates of 6% or 17% for the period from January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018, at rates of 6% or 16% for the period from May 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, and at rates of 6% or 13% after April 1, 2019) and the available input VAT amount (at the rate applicable to the supplier).

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc., which was formerly the

top-tier

publicly-traded parent company of the Sohu Group, was dissolved and liquidated on May 31, 2018. Sohu.com Inc. was a Delaware corporation that was subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income at a rate of 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 and of up to 35% for prior tax years. U.S. federal tax legislation signed into law on December 22, 2017, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “U.S. TCJA”), significantly modified the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things, reducing the maximum statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017; limiting and/or eliminating many business deductions; migrating the U.S. to a partial territorial tax system with a

one-time

transition tax (the “Toll Charge”) on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries; subject to certain limitations, generally eliminating U.S. corporate income tax on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and providing for new taxes on certain foreign earnings.

Certain activities conducted in the PRC resulted in U.S. corporate income taxes being imposed on Sohu.com Inc. when its subsidiaries that were controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) generated income that was subject to Subpart F of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (“Subpart F”). Generally, passive income, such as rents, royalties, interest, dividends, and gains from disposal of the company’s investments, is among the types of income subject to taxation under Subpart F. Any income taxable under Subpart F was taxable in the U.S. at the applicable federal corporate income tax rate. Subpart F income also included certain income from intra-Group transactions between Sohu.com Inc.’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs and Changyou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs or Sogou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs, or where Sohu.com Inc.’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries or VIEs made an “investment in U.S. property,” such as holding stock in, or making a loan to, a U.S. corporation. Under a provision of the U.S. tax code commonly referred to as the CFC look-through rule, Sohu.com Inc. did not have to treat dividends received by its CFC subsidiaries as Subpart F income includible in Sohu.com Inc.’s taxable income in the U.S

To the extent that portions of Sohu.com Inc.’s U.S. taxable income, such as Subpart F income or global intangible

low-taxed

income (“GILTI”), as applicable, had been determined to be from sources outside of the U.S., subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. may have been entitled to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S. income tax liabilities. Following the enactment of the U.S. TCJA, if dividends that Sohu.com Inc. received from its subsidiaries after January 1, 2018 were determined to be from sources outside of the U.S., subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. would generally not have been required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on those dividends. Liabilities for U.S. corporate income tax were accrued in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and estimated tax payments were made when required by U.S. law.

Treatment of Toll Charge Related to the U.S. TCJA

Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Sohu Group had recognized a provisional amount of income tax expense for the Toll Charge of $219 million, which represented management’s estimate of the amount of the Toll Charge that would have been payable by Sohu.com Inc. based on the deemed repatriation to the United States of its share of previously deferred earnings of certain of its

non-U.S.

subsidiaries, offset by a reduction of $4 million in liability for deferred U.S. income tax, as a result of the U.S. TCJA. The Sohu Group included the provisional amount of the Toll Charge of $219 million in its interim financial statements through the quarter ended September 30, 2018, in reliance on Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”).

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Sohu Group’s management

re-evaluated

the impact on the Sohu Group of the Toll Charge under the U.S. TCJA. Management determined that it was more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position that the Sohu Group had no Toll Charge liability would be sustained. The Group recognized a tax benefit in the amount of $77 million, which was the largest amount that management determined to be greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the U.S. IRS. As a result, as of December 31, 2018, the Sohu Group had an unrecognized tax benefit in the amount of $142 million, which represented the difference between the tax benefit recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018 and management’s previous estimate of the Toll Charge. The estimate remained unchanged as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020. In addition, the Sohu Group accrued $8 million and $6 million, respectively, in interest on the unrecognized tax benefit for the years of 2019 and 2020.

The tax benefit recognized and the unrecognized tax benefit in relation to the Toll Charge may be subject to further adjustment in subsequent periods based on facts and circumstances that arose after December 31, 2020, such as any IRS assessments upon audit and management’s further judgment and estimates.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Sohu Group is subject to various taxes in different jurisdictions, but primarily the PRC. Management reviews regularly the adequacy of the provisions for taxes as they relate to the Group’s income and transactions. In order to assess uncertain tax positions, the Group applies a more likely than not threshold and a

two-step

approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the

two-step

approach, the first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement.

Net Income/(Loss) per Share

Basic net income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income/(loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares and, if dilutive, potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Potential ordinary shares comprise shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with performance requirements is not considered before the performance targets are actually met. The computation of diluted net income/(loss) per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e. an increase in earnings per share amounts or a decrease in loss per share amounts) on net income/(loss) per share.

Additionally, for purposes of calculating the numerator of diluted net income/(loss) per share, the net income/(loss) attributable to the Sohu Group is calculated as discussed below. The adjustment will not be made if there is an anti-dilutive effect.

Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu

Prior to the completion of the Changyou Merger on April 17, 2020, Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu was determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Changyou shares held by Sohu represented of the weighted average number of Changyou ordinary shares and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and not by using the percentage held by Sohu of the total economic interest in Changyou, which was used for the calculation of basic net income per share. After the completion of the Changyou Merger, Sohu holds 100% of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares, so Changyou’s net income/(loss)

wholly attributable to Sohu.

As a result of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, a portion of the share options previously granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger were settled by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share, which equals the Changyou Merger consideration of $5.40 per Changyou Class A ordinary share minus the

per-share

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

In the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share, before the Changyou Plans’ Modification, a dilutive effect should be assumed. All of Changyou’s existing unvested restricted share units and share options, and vested restricted share units and share options that have not yet been settled or exercised, are treated as vested and settled by Changyou under the treasury stock method, causing the percentage of the weighted average number of shares held by Sohu in Changyou to decrease. As a result, Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis decreased accordingly. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Changyou restricted share units and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share. As a result, Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basic net income/(loss) per share.

As a result of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, all of Changyou’s previously granted share-based awards have been reclassified as obligation-based awards. Accordingly, all of those Changyou awards are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share. Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basis net income/(loss) per share. There have been no diluted effects resulting from Changyou’s existing unvested share options.

Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu (Discontinued)

Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu is determined using the percentage that the weighted average number of Sogou shares held by Sohu represents of the weighted average number of Sogou ordinary shares and shares issuable upon the exercise or settlement of share-based awards under the treasury stock method, and not by using the percentage held by Sohu of the total economic interest in Sogou, which is used for the calculation of basic net income per share. Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu is reflected as discontinued operations in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

In the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, the percentage of Sohu’s shareholding in Sogou was calculated by treating convertible preferred shares issued by Sogou as having been converted at the beginning of the period and unvested Sogou share options with the performance targets achieved as well as vested but unexercised Sogou share options as having been exercised during the period. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with a performance requirement was not considered before the performance targets were actually met. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Sogou shares and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted income/(loss) per share. As a result, Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basic net income/(loss) per share.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring the fair value of financial instruments. This hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The three-tier fair value hierarchy is:

Level 1 - observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the market place.

Level 3 - unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity

The Sohu Group’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, long-term investments, restricted time deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue, short-term bank loans, other short-term liabilities, long-term bank loans, and long-term accounts payable.

Cash Equivalents

The Sohu Group’s cash equivalents mainly consist of time deposits with original maturities of three months or less, and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash.

Short-term Investments

For investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to the performance of underlying assets, the Sohu Group elected the fair value method at the date of initial recognition and carried these investments subsequently at fair value. Changes in fair values are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Accounts Receivable, Net

The carrying value of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance that reflects the Sohu Group’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The Group makes estimations of the collectability of accounts receivable. Many factors are considered in estimating the general allowance, including reviewing delinquent accounts receivable, performing a customer credit analysis, and analyzing historical bad debt records and current and future economic trends.

Accounts receivable are measured at amortized cost and reported on the consolidated balance sheets at the outstanding principals adjusted for any write-offs and any allowance for credit losses.

Allowance for credit losses

Effective on January 1, 2020, the Sohu Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU)

2016-13,

“Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU

2016-13”)

under a modified retrospective transition. This guidance replaces the existing “incurred loss” methodology, and introduces an expected loss approach using macroeconomic forecasts, referred to as a current expected credit losses (“CECL”) methodology. Under the incurred loss methodology, credit losses are only recognized when the losses are probable of having been incurred. The CECL methodology requires that the full amount of expected credit losses for the lifetime of the financial instrument be recorded at the time it is originated or acquired, considering relevant historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable macroeconomic forecasts that affect the collectability of financial assets, and adjusted for changes in expected lifetime credit losses subsequently, which may require earlier recognition of credit losses.

The Sohu Group adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the consolidated financial statements. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2020 are presented using the CECL methodology while comparative information continues to be reported in accordance with the incurred loss methodology in effect for prior periods.

The following table shows the overall adjustments recognized for each individual line item (in thousands).


	December 31, 2019			ASU 2016-13 adjustment			January 1, 2020
Allowance for credit losses
Accounts receivable, net	$	126,081		$	(3,383	)	$	122,698
Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale (1)		134,635			(3,273	)		131,362

Total assets		2,691,864			(6,656	)		2,685,208
Shareholders’ equity
Accumulated deficit		(544,137	)		(6,656	)		(550,793	)

Note (1): Of the total adjustment of $3.3 million, $2.5 million was related to financing receivables.

Accounts receivable, net

The allowance for credit losses reflects the Sohu Group’s estimated expected losses. The Sohu Group estimates the allowance for credit losses, mainly based on past collection experience as well as consideration of current and future economic conditions and changes in the Sohu Group’s collection trends. The Sohu Group estimates the expected credit losses for accounts receivable with similar risk characteristics on a pool basis. For each pool, the Sohu Group first estimates its recovery period based on relevant historical accounts receivable collection information. Then the Sohu Group estimates the credit allowances based on the recovery period, the historical distribution of each aging bucket, and the impact of macroeconomic factors.

Accounts receivable are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Allowance for credit losses is presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item.

Accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$	130,037		$	94,528
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(3,956	)		(7,007	)

	$	126,081		$	87,521

The following table presents the aging analysis of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Less than 179 days	$	113,173	$	78,805
180-359 days		6,516		7,569
360 days and greater		10,348		8,154

Total		130,037		94,528

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Balance at the beginning of year	$	4,487		$	7,574		$	3,956
Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,383
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		5,449			4,724			2,419
Write-offs		(1,940	)		(8,237	)		(3,231	)
Exchange difference		(422	)		(105	)		480

Balance at the end of year		7,574			3,956			7,007

Note (1): The Company adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2020.

Accounts Receivable and Financing Receivables, Net classified as assets held for sale

Financing receivables, net, classified as assets held for sale consist primarily of small consumer loans that Sogou makes to individual borrowers. Sogou funds such loans either through its own capital or through a trust which was jointly established by Sogou and a third-party investor, and is administered by a third-party trust company. As the trust only invests in loans facilitated by Sogou, Sogou has power to direct the activities of the trust. Sogou also has the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits from the trust that could potentially be significant to the trust. As a result, Sogou is considered the primary beneficiary of the trust and the trust is considered a consolidated VIE (the “Consolidated Trust”) under ASC 810.

The financing receivables, net, classified as assets held for sale are recorded at the principal amount and interest accrued, net of allowance for credit losses that reflects Sogou’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Interest on loans is accrued based on the contractual interest rates of the loans when earned. The loan periods granted by Sogou to the borrowers related to the small consumer loans are generally within one year.

Sogou estimates its credit losses of the financing receivables collectively, using a pool basis within applicable credit risk classification levels of the underlying customers, mainly based on delinquency levels. The significant assumptions used in the process of estimating the allowance for credit losses include portfolio composition, loan delinquencies, loss severity and recoveries, and application of macroeconomic forecasts. The lifetime CECL allowance is measured as the product of the ending balance and two key parameters, the lifetime Probability of Default (“PD”) and Loss Given Default (“LGD”). PD represents the expected probability of payment and time to default of small consumer loans made by Sogou. LGD represents the percentage of the expected balance due at default that is not recoverable. The calibration of PD and LGD starts with the Sogou’s historical information, with PD considering vintage, recent performance, and macroeconomic factors and LGD being assessed based on portfolio delinquencies, loss severity, and future recoveries default. The estimated credit losses are further adjusted to incorporate the impact of macroeconomic conditions. To incorporate the impact based on Sogou’s macroeconomic forecasts, quantitative adjustments are applied to key parameters such as PD and LGD on a collective basis. Macroeconomic factors used in models include variables such as consumer price index and total retail sales of consumer goods.

Financing receivables are written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovery. Allowance for credit losses is presented as net impairment losses within operating profit. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the same line item.

The accounts receivable and financing receivables, net, classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable	$	77,210		$	35,975
Financing receivables		66,858			41,911
Less: Allowance for credit losses (1)		(12,255	)		(6,700	)

	$	131,813		$	71,186

Note (1): The allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables was $6.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

The following table summarizes the

past-due

status of the principle of financing receivables classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	1 - 30 Days Past Due		31 - 60 Days Past Due		6 1 - 9 0 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total
December 31, 2019
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,744	$	1,744
2019		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		49,988		65,114

Total		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		51,732		66,858
December 31, 2020
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,081	$	1,081
2019		1		1		2		0		4		182		186
2020		7,037		576		548		501		8,662		31,982		40,644

Total	$	7,038	$	577	$	550	$	501	$	8,666	$	33,245	$	41,911

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Beginning balance	$	384		$	7,511		$	12,255
Change on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,273
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		9,119			15,620			3,049
Write-offs		(1,908	)		(11,741	)		(12,517	)
Exchange difference		(84	)		865			640

Balance at the end of year	$	7,511		$	12,255		$	6,700

Note (1): The Group adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening consolidated balance sheet on January 1, 2020.

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

Foreign exchange forward contracts are initially recognized on the date a foreign exchange forward contract is entered into and are subsequently measured at fair value.

Restricted Cash and Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted cash and restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method.

Equity Investments

Investments in entities are recorded as equity investments under long-term investments. For investments in common stock or

in-substance

common stock of entities over which the Group can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or control, the equity method is applied, and the Group adjusts the carrying amount of an investment and recognizes investment income or loss for the Group’s share of the earnings or loss of the investee after the date of investment. For those equity investments accounted for other than under the equity method or those that result in consolidation, the fair value method is applied. However, for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values, the Group chooses to account for them at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. If this measurement alternative is elected, changes in the carrying value of the equity investments will be required to be made whenever there are observable price changes in transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. The implementation guidance notes that an entity should make a “reasonable effort” to identify price changes that are known or that can reasonably be known.

The Group assesses investments for impairment by considering factors including, but not limited to, current economic and market conditions, operating performance of the companies, including current earnings trends and undiscounted cash flows, and other company-specific information, such as recent financing rounds. The fair value determination, particularly for investments in privately-held companies whose revenue model is still unclear, requires significant judgment to determine appropriate estimates and assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could affect the calculation of the fair value of the investments. If the assessment indicates that an impairment exists, the Group estimates the fair value of the investment and writes down the asset to its fair value, taking the corresponding charge to the

consolidated

statements of comprehensive income/(loss).

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include fixed assets and intangible assets.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets mainly comprise office buildings, leasehold improvements, building improvements, vehicles, office furniture and computer equipment, and hardware. Fixed assets are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation with no residual value. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.


Fixed Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Office buildings		36-47
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets
Vehicles		4-10
Office furniture		5
Computer equipment and hardware		2-5

Expenditure for maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred.

The gain or loss on the disposal of fixed assets is the difference between the net sale proceeds and the carrying value of the relevant assets and is recognized in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets mainly comprise purchased video content, operating rights for licensed games, domain names and trademarks, computer software, and developed technologies. Intangible assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization with no residual value. Amortization of intangible assets other than purchased video content is computed using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives. Amortization of purchased video content is computed based on the trend in viewership accumulation over the shorter of the applicable license period or two years.

The estimated useful lives of the Group’s intangible assets are listed below:


Intangible Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Purchased video content		1 month to 2 years
Computer software		1-5
Developed technologies		3-10
Domain names and trademarks		4-30
Operating rights for licensed games		over the contract terms

Sohu Video enters into nonmonetary transactions to exchange online broadcasting rights for purchased video content with other online video broadcasting companies. Under ASC 845, the cost of a nonmonetary asset acquired in exchange for another nonmonetary asset is the fair value of the asset surrendered to obtain the acquired nonmonetary asset, and a gain or loss should be recognized on the exchange. The fair value of the asset received should be used to measure the cost if the fair value of the asset received is more reliable than the fair value of the asset surrendered. The Sohu Group records these nonmonetary exchanges at the fair values of the online broadcasting rights for purchased video content and recognize any net gain or loss from such exchange transactions.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets Other Than Purchased Video Content

In accordance with ASC

360-10-35,

the Sohu Group reviews the carrying values of long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The evaluation is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows independent of other assets. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of the long-lived assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value. The estimation of future cash flows requires significant management judgment based on the Group’s historical results and anticipated results and is subject to many factors. The discount rate that is commensurate with the risk inherent in the Group’s business model is determined by its management.

Impairment of Purchased Video Content

Purchased video content is stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortization, or fair value.

In accordance with ASC

920-350-35,

if management’s expectations of the programming usefulness of a program, series, package, or program segment are revised downward, it may be necessary to write off to the income statement the amount by which the unamortized capitalized costs exceed fair value. A write-off from unamortized cost to fair value establishes a new cost basis. Accordingly, the Group measures the video content’s impairment loss by comparing the content’s carrying value to its fair value. An impairment loss will be recorded if the carrying value of video content is higher than its fair value. The impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying value of video content exceeds its fair value.

Lease

The Sohu Group adopted ASU

No. 2016-02,

Leases (Topic 842), at the beginning of the first quarter of 2019 using the modified retrospective method, and did not restate comparable periods. Results and disclosure requirements for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2019 are presented under Topic 842, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Sohu Group’s historical accounting under Topic 840.

The Sohu Group elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed the Sohu Group to carry forward the historical lease classification, the assessment on whether an existing or expired contract contains a lease, and the treatment of initial direct costs. The Sohu Group also elected to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet.

Under the new lease guidance, the Sohu Group determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception.

Right-of-use

assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease terms. The Sohu Group only considers payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of lease commencement. The adoption of the new lease guidance resulted in recognition of $7.4 million of

right-of-use

assets, $6.7 million of lease liabilities, $17.9 million of

right-of-use

assets on assets held for sale, and $16.2 million of lease liabilities on liabilities held for sale as of January 1, 2019.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the Sohu Group’s acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Group reports in its financial statements provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. If a measurement period adjustment is identified, the Group recognizes the adjustment as part of the acquisition accounting. The Sohu Group increases or decreases the provisional amounts of identifiable assets or liabilities by means of increases or decreases in goodwill for measurement period adjustments.

In accordance with ASC 350, the Group does not amortize goodwill, but tests it for impairment. The Group tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 1, and between annual tests when an event occurs or circumstances change that could indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Group adopted ASU

No. 2017-04,

Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, and in accordance with the FASB, pursuant to which the Group has the option to choose whether it will apply a qualitative assessment first and then a quantitative assessment, if necessary, or to apply a quantitative assessment directly. For reporting units applying a qualitative assessment first, the Group starts the goodwill impairment test by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is mandatory. Otherwise, no further testing is required. The quantitative impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying value of each reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Application of a goodwill impairment test requires significant management judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units, and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. The Group estimates fair value using the income approach and the market approach. The judgment in estimating the fair value of reporting units includes revenue growth rates and profitability in estimating future cash flows; determining appropriate discount rates and earnings multipliers based on market data of comparable companies engaged in a similar business under the market approach; and making other assumptions. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. Accumulated other comprehensive income, as presented on the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, consists of the Sohu Group’s cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.

Functional Currency and Foreign Currency Translation

An entity’s functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which it operates, normally that is the currency of the environment in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash. Management’s judgment is essential to determine the functional currency by assessing various indicators, such as cash flows, sales price and market, expenses, financing and intra-Group transactions and arrangements. The functional currency of Sohu.com Limited, and its predecessor Sohu.com Inc., is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Sohu Group’s subsidiaries in the U.S., the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong is the U.S. dollar. The functional currencies of the Sohu Group’s subsidiaries and VIEs in other countries are the national currencies of those counties, rather than the U.S. dollar.

Foreign currency transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are

re-measured

at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency

re-measurement

are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Financial statements of entities with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars, which is the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at the average of the exchange rates in effect during the reporting period. Shareholders’ equity accounts are translated using the historical exchange rates at the date the entry to shareholders’ equity was recorded, except for the change in retained earnings during the year, which is translated using the historical exchange rates used to translate each period’s income statement. Differences resulting from translating a foreign currency to the reporting currency are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326).

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.

2016-13,

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)

, which requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost. The Sohu Group adopted ASU

2016-13

at the beginning of the first quarter of 2020, using the modified retrospective approach. The Sohu Group recorded an increase of approximately $3.4 million to allowance for credit losses on accounts receivable and $3.3 million to allowance for credit losses on assets held for sale on ASU

2016-13’s

adoption date of January 1, 2020. Please see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” above.

Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350).

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2017-04,

“Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.”

The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019. The Sohu Group adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 and applied the revised impairment model for all goodwill impairment tests within that fiscal year. The adoption of ASU

2017-04

did not have a material impact on the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Cloud computing

. In 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on a customer’s accounting for implementation,

set-up,

and other upfront costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is hosted by the vendor (i.e., a service contract). Under the new guidance, customers will apply the same criteria for capitalizing implementation costs as they would for an arrangement that has a software license. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards adopted beginning January 1, 2020 do not have a significant impact on the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements not Yet Adopted

Simplifying the accounting for income taxes (Topic 740).

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2019-12,

Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

. ASU

No. 2019-12

removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and provides for consistent application of and simplifies generally accepted accounting principles for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The method of adoption varies depending on the component of the new rule that is being adopted. Early application is permitted. The Sohu Group does not expect to adopt ASU

2019-12

early and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Investments—Equity securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity method and joint ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and hedging (Topic 815)—Clarifying the interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2020-01,

. The amendments clarify the interaction of the accounting for equity investments under Topic 321 and investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323 and the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options accounted for under Topic 815. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Sohu Group does not expect to adopt ASU

2020-01

early and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations Disclosure

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Discontinued Operation of Sogou

Upon the signing of the Tencent/Sohu Sogou Share Purchase Agreement on September 29, 2020, Sogou met the criteria for discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations for Sogou’s business have been excluded from Sohu’s results from continuing operations in the Sogou Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Additionally, as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations with respect to Sogou were classified as assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale associated with discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets to provide comparable financial information.

The following tables set forth the assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of discontinued operations with respect to Sogou, that were included in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements (in thousands):


	As of December 31, 2019		As of December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	142,464	$	287,185
Restricted cash		5,370		23,018
Short-term investments		995,350		774,618
Account and financing receivables, net		134,635		73,656
Prepaid and other current assets		26,802		28,946
Long-term investments, ne t		63,345		74,004
Fixed assets, net		110,006		89,089
Goodwill		5,534		6,527
Intangible assets, net		1,514		1,446
Other assets		37,281		53,679

Total assets associated with discontinued operations	$	1,522,301	$	1,412,168

LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	132,085	$	122,695
Accrued liabilities		91,949		68,582
Receipts in advance		67,902		64,414
Accrued salary and benefits		24,167		25,350
Taxes payable		76,688		64,082
Other short-term liabilities		60,320		61,154
Long-term liabilities		5,686		10,721

Total liabilities associated with discontinued operations	$	458,797	$	416,998


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Revenues	$	1,124,158	$	1,172,252	$	924,664
Cost of revenues		693,470		738,454		722,614
Gross profit		430,688		433,798		202,050
Operating expenses:
Research and development (1)		201,739		190,402		193,376
Sales and marketing (1)		146,194		138,291		102,523
General and administrative (1)		38,072		40,670		29,271
Total operating expenses		386,005		369,363		325,170
Operating profit/(loss)		44,683		64,435		(123,120	)
Interest income		8,037		4,443		2,807
Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss)		5,725		1,849		(7,767	)
Other income, net (1)		41,490		21,127		38,633
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		99,935		91,854		(89,447	)
Income tax expense		1,153		2,748		2,346

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		98,782		89,106		(91,793	)

(1)	Expenses generated from marketing services among the Sohu and Sogou, and leasing expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou are not eliminated because those expenses are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities	$	132,746		$	219,516		$	(68,187	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities		(638,672	)		(217,598	)		235,374
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities		1			(33,415	)		(8,209	)

Discontinued Operation of Shanghai Jingmao

In May 2010, Changyou acquired 50% of the equity interests in Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai Jingmao”) and an affiliate of Shanghai Jingmao, which were primarily engaged in the cinema advertising business. In January 2011, Changyou acquired the remaining 50% of the equity interests in Shanghai Jingmao and its affiliate for total consideration of approximately $3.0 million. In the fourth quarter of 2011, a full impairment loss of $5.2 million on goodwill was recognized for the cinema advertising business.

During the second quarter of 2019, after assessing the collectability of the assets of the cinema advertising business, including receivables and prepayments, Changyou recognized a $17.0 million asset impairment charge for the cinema advertising business.

Changyou ceased operating the cinema advertising business and wound down the business in August 2019 as a result of a Chinese court in Shanghai having granted a petition by Shanghai Jingmao for bankruptcy relief on August 12, 2019. Accordingly, the results of operations for Changyou’s cinema advertising business have been excluded from Changyou’s results from continuing operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are presented in separate line items as discontinued operations. Retrospective adjustments to the historical statements have been made in order to provide a consistent basis of comparison. Additionally, as of December 31, 2018, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations were classified as assets/liabilities associated with discontinued operations in the consolidated balance sheets to provide comparable financial information. Changyou recognized nil disposal gain/loss for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. However, Changyou may recognize disposal gain/loss in the future, depending on developments in the bankruptcy proceedings in the Chinese court.

The following tables set forth the results of operations and cash flows of discontinued operations with respect to Changyou’s cinema advertising business, that were included in the Group’s consolidated financial statements (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019 (1)
Revenues	$	70,202		$	37,323
Cost of revenues		89,233			43,857
Gross loss		(19,031	)		(6,534	)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		20,288			8,807
General and administrative		4,965			18,583
Total operating expenses		25,253			27,390
Operating loss		(44,284	)		(33,924	)
Interest income		6			7
Other income/(expense), net		(557	)		61
Loss before income tax expense		(44,835	)		(33,856	)
Income tax expense		0			142

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(44,835	)		(33,998	)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019 (1)
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	$	3,422		$	9,341
Net cash used in discontinued investing activities		(718	)		(10,808	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities		0			0

Note (1): Includes the financial results of the discontinued operations from January 1, 2019 to August 12, 2019.

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]

Segment Information

4. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Sohu Group’s segments are business units that offer different services and are reviewed separately by the CODM, or the decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group’s CODM is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. There are two segments in the Group, consisting of the Sohu segment, and the Changyou segment

The following tables present summary information by segment (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2018
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	274,670		$	415,561		$	(56	)	$	690,175
Segment cost of revenues		(218,184	)		(71,626	)		56			(289,754	)

Segment gross profit		56,486			343,935			0			400,421
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		707			31			0			738

Gross profit		57,193			343,966			0			401,159

Operating expenses:
Product development		(123,743	)		(126,593	)		(1	)		(250,337	)
Sales and marketing		(203,307	)		(34,512	)		(1	)		(237,820	)
General and administrative		(47,738	)		(28,657	)		0			(76,395	)
Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions		0			(16,369	)		0			(16,369	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		4,940			6,430			0			11,370

Total operating expenses		(369,848	)		(199,701	)		(2	)		(569,551	)

Operating profit/(loss)		(312,655	)		144,265			(2	)		(168,392	)

Other income											30,701
Interest income											16,036
Interest expense											(17,538	)
Exchange difference											3,301

Loss before income tax expense											(135,892	)
Income tax benefit											14,586

Net loss from continuing operations											(121,306	)
Net income from discontinued operations											53,947

Net loss										$	(67,359	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.


	Year Ended December 31, 2019
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	218,442		$	455,380		$	(19	)	$	673,803
Segment cost of revenues		(148,258	)		(95,268	)		21			(243,505	)
Segment gross profit		70,184			360,112			2			430,298
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		(23	)		(120	)		1			(142	)
Gross profit		70,161			359,992			3			430,156
Operating expenses:
Product development		(113,761	)		(119,726	)		0			(233,487	)
Sales and marketing		(155,226	)		(49,768	)		2			(204,992	)
General and administrative		(31,330	)		(22,074	)		(17	)		(53,421	)
Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions		(7,245	)		0			0			(7,245	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		(1,023	)		(1,185	)		0			(2,208	)
Total operating expenses		(308,585	)		(192,753	)		(15	)		(501,353	)
Operating profit/(loss)		(238,424	)		167,239			(12	)		(71,197	)
Other income											7,963
Interest income											6,103
Interest expense											(14,370	)
Exchange difference											1,430
Loss before income tax expense											(70,071	)
Income tax expense											(28,428	)
Net loss from continuing operations											(98,499	)
Net income from discontinued operations											55,108
Net loss										$	(43,391	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.


	Year Ended December 31, 2020
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations		Consolidated
Revenues	$	201,544		$	548,346		$	0	$	749,890
Segment cost of revenues		(122,362	)		(94,362	)		7		(216,717	)

Segment gross profit		79,182			453,984			7		533,173
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		(177	)		(543	)		0		(720	)

Gross profit		79,005			453,441			7		532,453

Operating expenses:
Product development		(97,681	)		(136,934	)		0		(234,615	)
Sales and marketing		(106,057	)		(53,272	)		0		(159,329	)
General and administrative		(25,861	)		(25,517	)		0		(51,378	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		(1,759	)		(12,001	)		0		(13,760	)

Total operating expenses		(231,358	)		(227,724	)		0		(459,082	)

Operating profit/(loss)		(152,353	)		225,717			7		73,371

Other income										25,993
Interest income										7,369
Interest expense										(6,234	)
Exchange difference										(3,800	)

Income before income tax expense										96,699
Income tax expense										(133,226	)

Net loss from continuing operations										(36,527	)
Net loss from discontinued operations										(91,793	)

Net loss									$	(128,320	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.


	As of December 31, 2019
	Sohu		Changyou		Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,229	$	94,433	$	0		$	162,662
Accounts receivable, net		70,252		55,829		0			126,081
Fixed assets, net		177,978		159,713		(9	)		337,682
Total assets (1)	$	1,721,801	$	1,871,685	$	(2,423,923	)	$	1,169,563

Note (1): The elimination for segment assets mainly consists of elimination of intra-Group loans between Sohu and Changyou, and elimination of long-term investments in subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.


	As of December 31, 2020
	Sohu		Changyou		Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	56,977	$	160,080	$	0		$	217,057
Accounts receivable, net		60,886		26,635		0			87,521
Fixed assets, net		174,700		162,976		(2	)		337,674
Total assets (1)	$	1,632,736	$	2,478,705	$	(2,701,488	)	$	1,409,953

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Share-based Compensation Expense

5. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou, and Sohu Video have incentive plans for the granting of share-based awards, including share options and restricted share units, to members of the boards of directors, management and other key employees.

Share-based compensation expense was recognized in costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
Share-based compensation expense	2018			2019			2020
Cost of revenues	$	(739	)	$	142		$	720
Product development expenses		(4,182	)		1,364			7,325
Sales and marketing expenses		(920	)		(326	)		460
General and administrative expenses		(6,267	)		1,170			5,975

	$	(12,108	)	$	2,350		$	14,480

Share-based compensation expense was recognized for share awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou and Sohu Video as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
Share-based compensation expense	2018			2019			2020
For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) share-based awards	$	(5,100	)	$	1,940		$	2,633
For Changyou share-based awards		(6,461	)		1,305			12,545
For Sohu Video share-based awards		(547	)		(895	)		(698	)

	$	(12,108	)	$	2,350		$	14,480

The negative amounts in the tables above resulted from

re-measured

compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on the reporting date.

There was no

apitalized share-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Advertising and Promotional Expenses, included in Sales and Marketing Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES, INCLUDED IN SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES [Abstract]
Advertising and Promotional Expenses, included in Sales and Marketing Expenses	6. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES, INCLUDED IN SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES Advertising and promotional expenses are included in sales and marketing expenses, and generally represent the expenses of promotions to create or stimulate a positive image of the Sohu Group or a desire to subscribe for the Group’s products and services. Advertising expenses are expensed as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, advertising and promotional expenses recognized in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income were $84.7 million, $124.6 million and $137.6 million, respectively.

OTHER INCOME, NET

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

OTHER INCOME /(EXPENSE), NET [Abstract]

Other Income /(Expense), net

7. OTHER INCOME, NET

The following table summarizes the Sohu Group’s other income/(expense) (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Rental income from Sogou (1)		8,392			8,029			9,793
Individual tax refund and additional deduction of PRC value-added tax (2)		0			907			6,169
Government grant		5,342			5,763			5,928
Gain from the changes in fair value of financial instruments (3)		17,999			11,113			4,303
Write-off of unpaid long-term accounts payable		0			0			47
Investment income/(expense)		(3,448	)		3,004			3
Impairment loss on equity investments (4)		0			(23,154	)		(384	)
Donations		0			(283	)		(1,460	)
Others		2,416			2,584			1,594

	$	30,701		$	7,963		$	25,993

Note (1): Sogou currently leases from Sohu, on an arms-length basis, office space at Sohu.com Internet Plaza under a lease that expires on December 31, 2022 and may be renewed subject to terms to be agreed to by Sohu and Sogou. Rental income consisted solely of the income from this lease. The cash receipts from this lease within operating activities for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $12.1 million, $8.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively.

Note (2): The increase for 2020 compared to 2019 mainly consisted of an individual tax refund of $2.6 million and an additional deduction of PRC value-added tax of $2.1 million.

Note (3): The decrease for 2020 compared to 2019 and the decrease for 2019 compared to 2018 were mainly due to a decrease in income earned from investments in financial instruments.

Note (4): In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Sohu Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million for equity investments.

Balance Sheet Components

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS [Abstract]

Balance Sheet Components

8. BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS (IN THOUSANDS)


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$	130,037			94,528
Allowance for credit losses		(3,956	)		(7,007	)

	$	126,081			87,521

The following table presents the movement of allowances for credit losses for the years of 2018, 2019 and 2020:


	Balance at the beginning of year		Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13		Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		Write-offs			Exchange difference			Balance at the end of year
2018		4,487		0		5,449		(1,940	)		(422	)		7,574
2019		7,574		0		4,724		(8,237	)		(105	)		3,956
2020		3,956		3,383		2,419		(3,231	)		480			7,007


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Prepaid and other current assets
Matching loan due from a related party (See Note 9)	$	33,329	$	34,123
Prepaid taxes		26,274		25,043
Prepaid content and license		12,964		11,029
Prepaid cost of revenue		7,175		10,120
Receivables from third party payment platforms		3,435		5,488
Interest receivable from bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less		1,012		3,875
Prepaid professional fees		610		2,365
Prepaid rental deposit		2,891		2,310
Prepaid office rent and facilities expenses		601		696
Employee advances		1,249		587
Others		7,991		10,954

	$	97,531	$	106,590

Prepaid non-current assets
Prepaid PRC income tax for the sale of assets associated with 17173.com by Sohu to Changyou	$	1,882	$	1,006

	$	1,882	$	1,006

Other short-term liabilities
Matching loans due to a related party (See Note 9)		33,536		34,123
Contingent liability related to Shanghai Jingmao liquidation (1)		23,900		23,900
Deposits related to Focus		19,101		21,936
Share-based awards in Changyou		0		13,292
Contract deposits from advertisers		3,060		3,036
Lease liabilities		2,510		1,107
Consideration payable for equity investment		740		751
Others		8,218		8,026

	$	91,065	$	106,171

Note (1): The contingent liability represents the aggregate of estimated potential payments to third parties in connection with the liquidation of Shanghai Jingmao. The stated amount of the contingent liability reflects Changyou’s best estimate as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 pursuant to ASC

450-20.

Changyou may revise this estimate in the future based on developments in PRC bankruptcy court proceedings regarding Shanghai Jingmao.

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue


Receipts in advance relating to:
brand advertising business	$	7,097	$	5,214
online game business		5,524		7,869
other business		6,490		6,029

Total receipts in advance		19,111		19,112
Deferred revenue		31,210		32,943

	$	50,321	$	52,055

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2020
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Under an agreement between Sohu and Fox Financial Technology Group Limited (“Fox Financial,” formerly known as “SoEasy Internet Finance Group Limited”) entered into in August 2014, Sohu invested $4.8 million and $16.1 million, respectively, in Fox Financial in August 2014 and April 2015. In February 2016, Sohu invested an additional $10.5 million in Fox Financial. Changyou’s Loan Arrangements with Fox Financial Commencing in April 2015, certain subsidiaries of Changyou and certain subsidiaries of Fox Financial entered into a series of loan agreements pursuant to which the subsidiaries of Changyou were entitled to draw down HK dollar-denominated or U.S. dollar-denominated loans from the Fox Financial subsidiaries and the Fox Financial subsidiaries were entitled to draw down equivalent RMB-denominated loans from the subsidiaries of Changyou, to facilitate each other’s business operations. All of the loans carry a fixed rate of interest which approximates the current market interest rate. In December 2018 and 2019, Changyou entered into supplemental agreements with Fox Financial pursuant to which all accrued and unpaid interest on the loans as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 was added to the principal of the corresponding loans. In December 2019, Changyou entered into a supplemental agreement with Fox Financial which states that Fox Financial undertakes and agrees to provide to Changyou a guaranty of the repayment obligation of Fox Financial and to deposit an amount equal to the US dollar denominated loan principal and corresponding interest owed by Changyou to Fox Financial as a security deposit. If Fox Financial fails to repay the RMB-denominated loan principal and corresponding interest based on RMB owed to Changyou, then the security deposit will be applied to repayment of the loan principal and corresponding interest owed to Changyou. The security deposit will be required to be replenished by Fox Financial if it is insufficient to repay the loan principal and corresponding interest of the RMB-denominated loan owed to Changyou, and any remaining surplus after the repayment of the RMB-denominated loan principal and interest will be returned to Fox Financial. The parties entered into an additional supplemental agreement, in which Changyou undertakes and agrees to provide to Fox Financial a guaranty of Changyou’s repayment obligation and to deposit an amount equal to the RMB-denominated loan principal and corresponding interest owed by Fox Financial to Changyou as a security deposit. If Changyou fails to repay the loan principal and corresponding interest, then the security deposit will be applied to repayment of the loan principal and corresponding interest owed to Fox Financial. The security deposit will be required to be replenished by Changyou if it is insufficient to repay the loan principal and corresponding interest to Fox Financial, and the remaining security deposit (if any) will be returned to Changyou if there is any surplus after the repayment of the US dollar denominated loan principal and interest. As of December 31, 2020, the loan arrangements had expired and no new supplemental agreements were signed. Under supplemental agreements of guaranty between Changyou and Fox Financial entered into in December 2019, if Fox Financial failed to repay the RMB - denominated loan principle and corresponding interest, Changyou could apply the amount of the security deposit, consisting of the US dollar-denominated loan principal and corresponding interest owed by Changyou to Fox Financial, to repay the RMB-denominated loan principle and corresponding interest owed to Changyou. As of the date of this report, the loan arrangements have not been settled, and a settlement plan is under discussion. Changyou performed an assessment as of December 31, 2020 of expected credit losses for the RMB-denominated loans receivable from Fox Financial, and accrued an expected credit loss of $2.4 million based on its estimate of the remaining exposure in excess of the security deposit and the lack of solvency of Fox Financial. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2020, Changyou had U.S. dollar-denominated loans payable to Fox Financial in a total amount of approximately $33.5 million and $34.1 million, respectively, and RMB-denominated loans receivable from Fox Financial in a total amount of approximately $33.3 million and $34.1 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, Changyou incurred interest expense of $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in connection with the loans payable and earned interest income of $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in connection with the loans receivable.

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

10.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 1 - observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the market place.

Level 3 - unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The Sohu Group’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, financing receivables, prepaid and other current assets, long-term investments, restricted time deposits, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue, short-term bank loans, other short-term liabilities, long-term bank loans and long-term accounts payable.

Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value

The following table sets forth the financial instruments, measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Cash equivalents	$	112,349	$	0	$	112,349	$	0
Restricted cash		3,290		0		3,290		0
Restricted time deposits		240		0		240		0
Short-term investments		321,483		0		321,483		0
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values		9,320		9,320		0		0

The following table sets forth the financial instruments, measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Cash equivalents	$	173,655	$	0	$	173,655	$	0
Restricted cash		330,791		0		330,791		0
Restricted time deposits		101,519		0		101,519		0
Short-term investments		100,745		0		100,745		0
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values		9,457		9,457		0		0

Cash Equivalents

The Sohu Group’s cash equivalents mainly consist of time deposits with original maturities of three months or less, notice deposits, and highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. The fair values of cash equivalents are determined based on the pervasive interest rates in the market. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use the pervasive interest rates input as Level 2 of fair value measurements. Generally, there are no quoted prices in active markets for identical cash equivalents at the reporting date. In order to determine the fair value, the Group must use the discounted cash flow method and observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Restricted Cash and Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted cash and restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

Changyou Loans from Offshore Banks, Secured by Time Deposits

In 2018, Changyou drew down loans from the Hong Kong branches of PRC banks, which were secured by an equivalent or greater amount of RMB deposits by Changyou in the PRC branches of the banks. The loans from the Hong Kong branches of the lending banks were repaid in April 2019 by Changyou and the RMB deposits in the PRC branches of the banks were released.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, Changyou drew down from an offshore branch of a PRC bank a loan of $215.6 million that was secured by an equivalent amount of RMB deposits by Changyou in the PRC branch of the bank and a mortgage on a building owned by Sohu. The loan carries a floating rate of interest based on the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The loan from the offshore branch of the lending bank was classified as short-term bank loan based on its payment term. The RMB deposits in the PRC securing the offshore loan are treated as restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets.

For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, interest income from the restricted time deposits securing the loans were $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and expense for interest on the loans was $0.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

In the second quarter of 2020, Changyou pledged deposit certificates in connection with the Sohu Group’s financing of the Changyou Merger. As of December 31, 2020, Changyou had pledged deposit certificates in the amount of $

212 million in the aggregate, of which $110 million was recorded as restricted cash and $102 million was recorded as restricted time deposits. Upon the effectiveness of such pledge, Sohu’s previous guarantee, and all the previous share pledges or mortgages over the outstanding equity interests in Changyou, to secure the loans from ICBC Tokyo (as defined below) were released and discharged.

Short-term Investments

In accordance with ASC 825, for investments in financial instruments with a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets, the Sohu Group elected the fair value method at the date of initial recognition and carried these investments at fair value. Changes in the fair value are reflected in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income as other income/(expense). To estimate fair value, the Group refers to the quoted rate of return provided by banks at the end of each period using the discounted cash flow method. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Sohu Group’s investment in these financial instruments was $100.7 million and $321.5 million, respectively. The investment instruments were issued by commercial banks in China, and have a variable interest rate indexed to performance of underlying assets. Since these investments’ maturity dates are within one year, they are classified as short-term investments. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Sohu Group recorded gains from changes in the fair value of short-term investments in the amounts of $4.3 million and $11.1 million, respectively, in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Equity Investments

ASU

2016-01,

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,

amends certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The main provisions require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value through earnings, unless they qualify for a measurement alternative. The new guidance required modified retrospective application to all outstanding instruments beginning January 1, 2018, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening accumulated deficit as of the beginning of the first period in which the guidance becomes effective. However, changes to the accounting for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value will be applied prospectively.

The Group measures equity investments under the equity method and equity investments without readily determinable fair values at fair value on a

non-recurring

basis when an impairment charge is to be recognized. As of December 31, 2019 and 2020, certain investments were measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) and written down from their respective carrying values to their fair values, considering the stage of development, the business plan, the financial condition, the sufficiency of funding and the operating performance of the investee companies, with impairment charges incurred and recorded in other income for the years then ended. The Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for investments without readily determinable fair values and equity method investments in 2019 and 2020.

Equity Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method

For investments in common stock or

in-substance

non-recurring

basis only if an impairment charge is to be recognized. The Group classifies these

non-recurring

fair value measurements as Level 3 of fair value measurement.

Equity Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Values

Effective as of January 1, 2018, all equity investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) will generally be measured at fair value through earnings. There will no longer be an

available-for-sale

classification (changes in fair value previously reported in other comprehensive income) for equity securities with readily determinable fair values.

Equity investments with readily determinable fair values are valued using the market approach based on the quoted prices in active markets at the reporting date. The Group classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 1 of fair value measurements.

Equity Investments without Readily Determinable Fair Values

Based on ASU

2016-01,

an entity will be able to elect to record equity investments without readily determinable fair values and not accounted for by the equity method at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. Entities that elect this measurement alternative will report changes in the carrying value of the equity investments in current earnings.

If this measurement alternative is elected, changes in the carrying value of the equity investment will be required to be made whenever there are observable price changes in transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. The implementation guidance notes that an entity should make a “reasonable effort” to identify price changes that are known or that can reasonably be known. When observable price changes were identified, the Group used the back-solve method to

re-measure

the fair value of the investments and to determine the amount that should be recorded as upward or downward adjustments. The back-solve method requires considering the rights and preferences of each classes of equity and solving for the total equity value that is consistent with a recent transaction of the subject company’s securities. This method requires making assumptions on future outcomes available to the subject company, the probability of each scenario, expected time to liquidity events, volatility and risk-free rate. The Group classifies this

non-recurring

fair value measurement as Level 3 of fair value measurement.

Short-term Receivables and Payables

Accounts receivable and prepaid and other current assets are financial assets with carrying values that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. Short-term accounts payable, accrued liabilities, receipts in advance and deferred revenue, short-term bank loans and other short-term liabilities are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. For short-term receivables and payables, the Group estimated fair values using the discounted cash flow method. The Group classifies the valuation technique as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

Short-term Bank Loans

For short-term bank loans, the rates of interest under the agreements with the lending banks were determined based on the prevailing interest rates in the market. The Sohu Group estimated fair values using the discounted cash flow method and classifies the valuation techniques that use these inputs as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

•

Factoring contract with recourse with HongKong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (“HSBC”)

In May 2017, Sohu entered into a factoring contract with recourse with HSBC, pursuant to which Sohu may borrow from HSBC from time to time up to a combined aggregate of RMB180.0 million (or $26.2 million), which is the upper limit reviewed by HSBC at least annually. The loan is secured by up to RMB198.0 million (or $28.8 million) of Sohu’s accounts receivable and guaranteed by Sohu Media. Interest accrues on the principal amounts of the loans outstanding at an annual rate agreed to by HSBC and Sohu upon drawdown. In June 2019, Sohu terminated the factoring contract with recourse with HSBC, and the accounts receivable of Sohu was released from the pledge. As of both December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total outstanding balance of the loan was nil.

•

Credit agreements with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (“ICBC”)

In September 2017, Sohu entered into credit agreements with ICBC pursuant to which Sohu was entitled to borrow from ICBC from time to time until March 31, 2018 up to a combined aggregate of RMB800 million (or $116.6 million). The loan is secured by the pledge of Sohu’s building which serves as Sohu’s corporate headquarters in Beijing (“Sohu’s headquarters”). Interest accrues on the principal amounts of the loans outstanding at an annual rate equal to the Loan Prime Rate (“LPR”) published by the National Interbank Funding Center, plus 1.2%. The outstanding principal amount of the loan will be payable in four equal installments, with the first installment payable 18 months after the drawdown and the other three installments payable semi-annually at the end of each of the three successive

six-month

periods after the first installment payment.

In July 2020, Sohu repaid all of the outstanding balance under the loan arrangements with ICBC and Sohu’s headquarters were released from the pledge. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total outstanding balance of the loan was nil and RMB400 million (or $57.3 million), respectively.

•

Credit agreements with the China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. (“CMB”)

In April 2018, Sohu entered into credit agreements with CMB pursuant to which Sohu was entitled to borrow from CMB from time to time until March 22, 2021 up to an aggregate of RMB700 million (or approximately $102.0 million) (the “CMB Loan”).

In April 2018, Sohu made an initial drawdown under the CMB Loan with a term of 12 months in the amount of RMB400 million (or $58.3 million) (the “First Drawdown”). The proceeds of the First Drawdown were used to repay in full the outstanding balance and all accrued and unpaid interest under credit agreements between Sohu and Ping An Bank. The CMB Loan was secured by a pledge of Sohu’s building, which was released from the pledge after Ping An Bank received such repayment. Interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance at a rate of 6% per year. In April 2019, the outstanding principal amount of the First Drawdown was repaid in full.

In June 2018, Sohu made a drawdown under the CMB Loan with a term of 24 months in the amount of RMB300 million (or approximately $43.7 million) (the “Subsequent Drawdown”). Interest accrued on the outstanding principal balance at a rate of 6% per year. The outstanding principal amount of the Subsequent Drawdown was payable in four installments. The first installment of RMB45 million (or $6.7 million) was paid in December 2018; the second and third installments of RMB90 million (or $13.1 million) in the aggregate were paid early in June 2019; and the fourth installment of RMB165 million (or $23.3million) was paid early in July 2019.

In April 2019 and May 2019, Sohu made drawdowns under the CMB Loan with a term of 12 months in the aggregate amount of RMB399 million ($59.3 million). Interest accrues on the outstanding principal balances at a rate of 5.1% per year. The outstanding principal amount of each drawdown will be due and payable 12 months after such drawdown.

In May 2020, Sohu repaid all of the outstanding balance under the loan arrangements with CMB and the pledge of Sohu’s building was released. As of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the total outstanding balance of the CMB loan was nil

and RMB399 million (or $57.2 million), respectively.

•

Credit agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Tokyo Branch (“ICBC Tokyo”)

On April 3, 2020, the Company’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Sohu.com (Game) Limited (“Sohu Game”), as borrower, and Sohu.com Limited, as guarantor, entered into a facility agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with ICBC Tokyo pursuant to which ICBC Tokyo agreed to provide a term loan facility of up to $250 million (the “Term Facility”), subject to customary conditions, to be used to finance the consummation of the Changyou Merger and the related transactions and to pay related fees and expenses associated with the Changyou Merger. The Term Facility consisted of (i) a

one-year

term facility for term loans of up to $100 million (the

“One-Year

Facility”) and (ii) a four-year term facility for term loans of up to $150 million (the “Four-Year Facility”). The outstanding principal amount of the loans under the

One-Year

Facility is due in full on the

one-year

anniversary of the date of the first utilization of the

One-Year

Facility. The outstanding principal amount of the loans under the Four-Year Facility is due in installments, with $7.5 million due and payable at the end of each of the second and third calendar years during the term of the Four-Year Facility and the remaining outstanding principal amount is due and payable on the fourth anniversary of the date of the first utilization of the

One-Year

Facility. The Term Facility bears interest at a rate of Three Month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75%, with LIBOR to be determined by ICBC on the basis of the London InterBank Offered Rate published two business days before the first day of each three calendar month interest period. Accrued interest is to be paid every three calendar months on the first day after the end of each such three-month interest period.

The obligations of Sohu Game as borrower under the Term Facility were initially fully guaranteed by Sohu.com Limited, and were initially secured by first priority share pledges over 97.9% of the outstanding equity interests in Changyou. In the second quarter of 2020, Changyou pledged deposit certificates evidencing an RMB deposit in the amount of $192 million in the aggregate at an exchange rate of RMB7.20 to $1.00, equivalent to the Facility Agreement amount. Upon the effectiveness of such additional pledge, Sohu’s previous guarantee, and all the previous share pledges or mortgages over the outstanding equity interests in Changyou, to secure the loans from ICBC Tokyo were released and discharged.

Long-term Payables

Long-term payables mainly consist of long-term accounts payable, long-term bank loans,

long-term

tax liabilities and deferred tax liabilities (see Note 15).

After the Changyou Plans’ Modification, long term payables also include liabilities accrued over the option holders’ service periods with a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Long-term accounts payable are financial liabilities with carrying values that approximate fair value due to any changes in fair value, after considering the discount rate, being immaterial. For long-term accounts payable, the Group estimated fair values using the discounted cash flow method. The Sohu Group classifies the valuation technique as Level 2 of fair value measurements.

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following table sets forth assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands)


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	$	3,115	$	0	$	0	$	3,115
Intangible assets, net		9,922		0		0		9,922
Goodwill		47,390		0		0		47,390


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	$	2,585	$	0	$	0	$	2,585
Intangible assets, net		4,842		0		0		4,842
Goodwill		48,434		0		0		48,434

Purchased Video Content Recorded in Prepaid and Other Assets

The impairment losses recognized in prepaid and other assets were mainly due to impairment losses for Sohu Video’s purchased video content. See Note 14 - Intangible Assets, Net.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets mainly comprise purchased video content, operating rights for licensed games, domain names and trademarks, computer software, and developed technologies. The impairment losses recognized for intangible assets were mainly due to impairment losses for the domain name related to the 56.com Website and Sohu Video’s purchased video content. See Note 14 - Intangible Assets, Net.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired as a result of the Group’s acquisitions of interests in its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs. See Note 13 - Goodwill.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

Lease

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

LEASES [Abstract]

Leases

11.

LEASE

The Group has entered into operating lease agreements, primarily for offices in China with lease periods expiring between 2020 and 2025. The determination of whether an arrangement is or contains a lease is made at the inception of the lease by evaluating whether the arrangement conveys the right to use an identified asset and whether the Group obtains substantially all of the economic benefits from and has the ability to direct the use of the asset. Operating lease assets and liabilities are included on the Group’s consolidated balance sheets beginning January 1, 2019. The

right-of-use

assets are included in other assets, while the current portion of the operating lease liabilities is included in other short-term liabilities and the long-term portion is included in other long-term liabilities. The Group has elected to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of twelve months or less on the consolidated balance sheets.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. The Group uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of the future lease payments, because the interest rate implicit in most of the leases is not readily determinable. The Group estimates its incremental borrowing rate for each leased asset based on the interest rate the Group would incur to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic environment.

Certain lease agreements contain an option for the Group to renew a lease for a term agreed to by the Group and the lessor or an option to terminate a lease earlier than the maturity date. The Group considers these options, which may be elected at the Group’s sole discretion, in determining the lease term on a

lease-by-lease

basis. The Group’s lease agreements generally do not contain any residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Certain of the Group’s leases contain free or escalating rent payment terms. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Group’s lease agreements generally contain lease and

non-lease

components.

Non-lease

components consist primarily of payments for maintenance and utilities. The Group has identified separate lease and

non-lease

components, allocated the contractual considerations between components based on the terms specified in the lease agreements, and accounted for the lease components separately from the

non-lease

components. Payments under the lease arrangements are primarily fixed with no variable payments.

Components of operating lease expense are as follows (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Operating lease expense	$	4,858	$	3,985
Short-term lease expense		244		297

Total operating lease expense	$	5,102	$	4,282

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases are as follows (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	5,013	$	3,206


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases	$	134	$	5,351

The following table presents supplemental balanc

sheet information related to the operating leases (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	3,323	$	4,998

Liabilities:
Current lease liabilities		2,510		1,107
Non-current lease liabilities		83		3,855

Total operating lease liabilities	$	2,593	$	4,962

Maturities of lease liabilities under operating leases as of December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):


2021	$	1,957
2022		1,785
2023		1,421
2024		191
2025		95
Thereafter		0

Total future lease payments		5,449
Less: imputed interest		(487	)

Total present value of lease liabilities	$	4,962

As of December 31, 2020, operating leases recognized in lease liabilities had a weighted average remaining lease term of 3.0 years and a weighted average discount rate of 5.7%. As of December 31, 2020, liabilities for leases that had been entered into, but the term of which had not yet commenced, amounted to $1.9 million.

Fixed Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

FIXED ASSETS [Abstract]

Fixed Assets

12.	FIXED ASSETS

The following table summarizes the Sohu Group’s fixed assets (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Office buildings	$	366,686		$	392,045
Computer equipment and hardware		133,451			132,021
Leasehold and building improvements		34,251			36,649
Office furniture		6,609			6,841
Vehicles		3,239			3,729

Fixed assets, gross		544,236			571,285
Accumulated depreciation		(206,554	)		(233,611	)

Fixed assets, net	$	337,682		$	337,674

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, depreciation expenses for fixed assets were $25.5 million, $28.2 million and $32.1 million, respectively.

Goodwill

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

GOODWILL [Abstract]

Goodwill

13.

GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment are as follows (in thousands):


	Sohu			Changyou			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
Goodwill		69,627			180,543			250,170
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	37,381		$	10,257		$	47,638

Transactions in 2019
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(248	)		0			(248	)
Impairment losses		0			0			0

Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	37,133		$	10,257		$	47,390

Balance as of December 31, 2019
Goodwill		69,379			180,543			249,922
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	37,133		$	10,257		$	47,390

Transactions in 2020
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,044			0			1,044
Impairment losses		0			0			0

Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	38,177		$	10,257		$	48,434

Balance as of December 31, 2020
Goodwill		70,423			180,543			250,966
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	38,177		$	10,257		$	48,434

There was one reporting unit under the Sohu segment. After Changyou ceased operations of RaidCall and the cinema advertising business, the reporting units under the Changyou segment consisted of the Changyou online game business and the 17173.com Website. The Changyou online game business was the only reporting unit with goodwill under the Changyou segment.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Sohu Group tested goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Group performed impairment tests using the qualitative and quantitative methods. For the Sohu segments, impairment tests were conducted by quantitatively comparing the fair values of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. The Sohu segments estimated the fair values by weighting the results from the income approach and market approach. The valuation approach considers a number of factors that include expected future cash flows, revenue growth rates, discount rates, and requires Sohu to make certain assumptions and estimates regarding future profitability of the business. The market approach considers earnings multipliers based on market data of comparable companies engaged in similar business. For the Changyou segment, Changyou first qualitatively assessed whether it was more likely than not that the fair values of the reporting segments were less than their carrying amounts. For those reporting units where it was more likely than not that their fair values were less than their carrying amounts, Changyou performed the quantitative goodwill impairment test. Changyou estimated the fair values using the income approach considering factors that included expected future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates.

As of December 31, 2020, for the Sohu and Changyou segments, management concluded that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values, indicating that the goodwill of the reporting units was not impaired.

In March 2019 and August 2019, respectively, Changyou ceased its RaidCall and cinema advertising business operations. Accordingly, there were no impairments for these two units, as the carrying values of both RaidCall and the cinema advertising business were nil before their cessation. As of December 31, 2019, for the Sohu segment and the businesses in the Changyou segment, management concluded that the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values, indicating that the goodwill of the reporting units was

not

impaired.

Intangible Assets, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET [Abstract]

Intangible Assets, Net

14.	INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET


	As of December 31, 2019
Items	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
Purchased video content	$	217,610	$	(179,167	)	$	(35,940	)	$	2,503
Operating rights for licensed games		47,227		(27,992	)		(12,365	)		6,870
Domain names and trademarks		26,301		(9,896	)		(16,176	)		229
Computer software		13,273		(12,953	)		0			320
Developed technologies		8,200		(868	)		(7,332	)		0
Others		2,738		(903	)		(1,835	)		0

Total	$	315,349	$	(231,779	)	$	(73,648	)	$	9,922


	As of December 31, 2020
Items	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
Purchased video content	$	212,999	$	(161,160	)	$	(50,088	)	$	1,751
Operating rights for licensed games		51,856		(35,017	)		(14,026	)		2,813
Domain names and trademarks		27,536		(10,243	)		(17,219	)		74
Computer software		11,749		(11,545	)		0			204
Developed technologies		8,699		(918	)		(7,781	)		0
Others		2,928		(966	)		(1,962	)		0

Total	$	315,767	$	(219,849	)	$	(91,076	)	$	4,842

Impairment Losses

In 2020, Sohu recognized a $1.5 million impairment loss related to Sohu Video’s purchased video content pursuant to the Sohu Group’s policy on impairment of overseas content. Changyou recognized a $2.7 million impairment loss related to content and game licenses, of which $0.8 million was recognized as impairment of intangible assets and $1.9 million was recognized as impairment of prepaid and other current assets.

In 2019, Sohu recognized a $7.2 million impairment loss for a domain name related to the 56.com Website, mainly due to enhanced restrictions that Chinese regulatory authorities imposed on the broadcasting industry, which had an adverse effect on the operation of the 56.com Website. Also in 2019, Sohu recognized a $4.0 million impairment loss related to Sohu Video’s purchased video content pursuant to the Sohu Group’s policy on impairment of overseas content.

In 2018, Sohu recognized $10.4 million in losses related to Sohu Video’s purchased video content, of which $9.8 million was recognized as impairment of intangible assets and $0.6 million was recognized as impairment of prepaid and other current assets, as Sohu Video’s revenues for 2018 did not meet management’s expectations.

Amortization

In 2020, 2019 and 2018, amortization of intangible assets was $14.4 million, $38.8 million and $58.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2020, amortization expenses for future periods are estimated to be as follows:


For the year ended December 31,	(in thousands)
2021		3,346
2022		1,177
2023		279
2024		40
2025		0

Thereafter		0

Total expected amortization expense	$	4,842

Taxation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

TAXATION [Abstract]

Taxation

15.

TAXATION

Income Tax

PRC Corporate Income Tax

The majority of the subsidiaries and VIEs of the Sohu Group are based in mainland China and are subject to income taxes in the PRC. These China-based subsidiaries and VIEs conduct substantially all of the Sohu Group’s operations, and generate most of the Sohu Group’s income or losses. The CIT Law applies an income tax rate of 25% to all enterprises but grants preferential tax treatment to HNTEs, Software Enterprises, and KNSEs.

Principal Entities Qualified as HNTEs

Under preferential tax treatment, HNTEs can enjoy an income tax rate of 15%, but need to

re-apply

every three years. During this three-year period, an HNTE must conduct a qualification self-review each year to ensure it meets the HNTE criteria and is eligible for the 15% preferential tax rate for that year. If an HNTE fails to meet the criteria for qualification as an HNTE in any year, the enterprise cannot enjoy the 15% preferential tax rate in that year, and must instead use the regular 25% CIT rate.

As of December 31, 2020, the following principal entities of the Sohu Group were qualified as HNTEs and were entitled to an income tax rate of 15%.

For Sohu

•

Sohu New Momentum. Sohu New Momentum qualified as an HNTE for the years 2019 through 2021, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2022.

•

Sohu Internet and Video Tianjin. Sohu Internet and Video Tianjin qualified as HNTEs for the years 2018 through 2020, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2021.

•

Sohu Media. Sohu Media

re-applied

for HNTE qualification and received approval in December 2020. Sohu Media is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as an HNTE for the years 2020 through 2022, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2023.

For Changyou

•

Gamespace and Changyou Chuangxiang. Gamespace and Changyou Chuangxiang qualified as HNTEs for the years 2019 through 2021, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2022.

•

Gamease and AmazGame. Gamease and AmazGame

re-applied

for HNTE qualification and received approval in October 2020. Gamease and AmazGame are entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as HNTEs for the years 2020 through 2022, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2023.

For Sogou

•

Sogou Network. Sogou Network qualified as an HNTE for the years 2019 through 2021, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2022.

•

Sogou Information. Sogou Information qualified as an HNTE for the years 2018 through 2020, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2021.

•

Sogou Technology. Sogou Technology

re-applied

for HNTE qualification and received approval in December 2020. Sogou Technology is entitled to continue to enjoy the beneficial tax rate as an HNTE for the years 2020 through 2022, and will need to

re-apply

for HNTE qualification in 2023.

Principal Entities Qualified as KNSEs

The CIT Law and its implementing regulations provide that a Software Enterprise is entitled to an income tax exemption for two years beginning with its first profitable year and a 50% reduction to a rate of 12.5% for the subsequent three years. An entity that qualifies as a KNSE is entitled to a further reduced preferential income tax rate of 10%.

Enterprises wishing to enjoy the status of a Software Enterprise or a KNSE must perform a self-assessment each year to ensure they meet the criteria for qualification and file required supporting documents with the tax authorities before using the preferential CIT rates. These enterprises will be subject to the tax authorities’ assessment each year as to whether they are entitled to use the relevant preferential CIT treatments. If at any time during the preferential tax treatment years an enterprise uses the preferential CIT rates but the relevant authorities determine that it fails to meet applicable criteria for qualification, the relevant authorities may revoke the enterprise’s Software Enterprise or KNSE status

For Changyou

•

AmazGame. In 2020, AmazGame completed a self-assessment and filed required supporting documents for KNSE status for 2019. Also in 2020, AmazGame was qualified as a KNSE after the relevant government authorities’ assessment and became entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 10% for 2019. In 2021, AmazGame expects to follow the appropriate rules and procedures of the relevant government authorities in order to maintain its KNSE status for 2020.

•

Changyou Chuangxiang. In 2020, Changyou Chuangxiang completed a self-assessment and filed required supporting documents for KNSE status for 2019. In 2020, Changyou Chuangxiang was qualified as a KNSE after the relevant government authorities’ assessment and became entitled to a preferential income tax rate of 10% for 2019. In 2021, Changyou Chuangxiang expects to follow the appropriate rules and procedures of the relevant government authorities in order to maintain its KNSE status for 2020.

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc., which was formerly the

top-tier

one-time

Toll Charge on a mandatory deemed repatriation of previously deferred foreign earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries; subject to certain limitations, generally eliminating U.S. corporate income tax on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; and providing for new taxes on certain foreign earnings.

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs and Changyou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs or Sogou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs, or where Sohu.com Inc.’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries or VIEs made an “investment in U.S. property,” such as holding the stock in, or making a loan to, a U.S. corporation. Under a provision of the U.S. tax code commonly referred to as the CFC look-through rule, Sohu.com Inc. did not have to treat dividends received by its CFC subsidiaries as Subpart F income includible in Sohu.com Inc.’s taxable income in the U.S.

To the extent that portions of Sohu.com Inc.’s U.S. taxable income, such as Subpart F income or GILTI, as applicable, had been determined to be from sources outside of the U.S., subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. may have been entitled to claim foreign tax credits to offset its U.S. income tax liabilities. Following the enactment of the U.S. TCJA, if dividends that Sohu.com Inc. received from its subsidiaries after January 1, 2018 were determined to be from sources outside of the U.S., subject to certain limitations, Sohu.com Inc. would generally not have been required to pay U.S. corporate income tax on those dividends. Liabilities for U.S. corporate income tax were accrued in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and estimated tax payments were made when required by U.S. law.

Treatment of Toll Charge Related to the U.S. TCJA

non-U.S.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Sohu Group’s management

re-evaluated

the impact on the Sohu Group of the Toll Charge under the U.S. TCJA. Management determined that it was more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position that the Sohu Group had no Toll Charge liability would be sustained. The Group recognized a tax benefit in the amount of $77 million, which was the largest amount that management determined to be greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the U.S. IRS. As a result, as of December 31, 2018, the Sohu Group had an unrecognized tax benefit in the amount of $142 million, which represented the difference between the tax benefit recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018 and management’s previous estimate of the Toll Charge. The estimate remained unchanged as of December 31, 2020. In addition, the Sohu Group accrued $8 million and $6 million, respectively, in interest on the unrecognized tax benefit for the years of 2019 and 2020.

Cayman Island Tax

Under the current tax laws of the Cayman Islands, the Group is not subject to tax on its income or capital gains. In addition, no

Cayman Islands withholding tax will be imposed upon the payment of dividends by the Group to its shareholders.

Hong Kong Tax

The Group’s subsidiaries incorporated in Hong Kong are subject to profits tax in Hong Kong at the rate of 16.5% for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Composition of Income Tax Expense

Sohu.com Inc., which was the former

top-tier

entity of the Sohu Group, was a Delaware corporation that was subject to United States income tax. On May 31, 2018, Sohu.com Inc. was dissolved and liquidated and Sohu.com Limited became the

top-tier

entity of the Sohu Group. Sohu.com Limited is not subject to income or capital gains tax under the current laws of the Cayman Islands. There are no other taxes likely to be material to Sohu.com Limited levied by the government of the Cayman Islands.

The components of income before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Income/(loss) before income tax expense
Income/(loss) from China operations	$	(76,585	)	$	(89,150	)	$	154,514
Income/(loss) from non-China operations		(59,307	)		19,079			(57,815	)

Total income/(loss) before income tax expense from continuing operations	$	(135,892	)	$	(70,071	)	$	96,699

Income tax expense applicable to China operations
Current tax	$	14,578		$	9,026		$	24,255
Deferred tax		48,907			11,191			102,652

Subtotal income tax expense applicable to China operations		63,485			20,217			126,907
Non-China income tax expense/(benefit)		(78,540	)		7,887			6,207
Non-China withholding tax expense		469			324			112

Total income tax expense/(benefit) from continuing operations	$	(14,586	)	$	28,428		$	133,226

In 2020, of the $133.2 million total income tax expense, $126.9 million was for PRC tax, resulting primarily from accrued regular income tax expense of $40.7 million and additional income withholding tax of $88 million recognized by Changyou due to a revised policy with respect to Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries regarding their distribution of cash dividends, offset by a reversal of PRC income tax expense of $6.9 million by Changyou due to preferential tax rates that Changyou’s subsidiaries were entitled to as KNSEs; and $6 million was for U.S. corporate income tax, resulting primarily from accrued interest on an unrecognized tax benefit.

In 2019, of the $28.4 million total income tax expense, $20.2 million was for PRC tax, resulting primarily from accrued regular income tax expense of $32.6 million, offset by a reversal of PRC income tax expense of $19.5 million by Changyou due to preferential tax rates that Changyou’s subsidiaries were entitled to as KNSE and Software enterprises, and $8 million was for U.S. corporate income tax, resulting primarily from accrued interest on an unrecognized tax benefit.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Sohu Group’s management

re-evaluated

the impact on the Sohu Group of the Toll Charge under the U.S. TCJA. Management determined that it was more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position that the Sohu Group had no Toll Charge liability would be sustained. The Group recognized a tax benefit in the amount of $77 million, which was the largest amount that management determined to be greater than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the U.S. IRS. As a result, as of December 31, 2018 the Sohu Group had an unrecognized tax benefit in the amount of $142 million, which represented the difference between the tax benefit recognized in the fourth quarter of 2018 and management’s previous estimate of the Toll Charge. In addition, the Sohu Group accrued $2 million in interest on the unrecognized tax benefit.

The combined effects of the income tax exemption and reduction available to the Group are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Tax holiday effect	$	23,271	$	7,981	$	16,174
Basic net income per share effect		0.60		0.20		0.41

Effective Tax Rate

The CIT Law applies an income tax rate of 25% to all enterprises, but grants preferential tax treatment to HNTEs, Software Enterprises, and KNSEs.

The U.S. TCJA significantly modified the U.S. Internal Revenue Code by, among other things, reducing the statutory U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017; limiting and/or eliminating many business deductions; migrating the U.S. to a territorial tax system with a

one-time

The following is reconciliation between the statutory rate and the Group’s effective tax rate. For 2018, 2019 and 2020, the statutory rate represented the PRC statutory rate of 25%. The table does not reflect any accruals related to the Toll Charge. See “

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

” and “

Treatment of Toll Charge Related to the U.S. TCJA.

”


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Statutory Rate:		25	%		25	%		25	%
Effect of tax holidays applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs (1)		17	%		11	%		(17	%)
Tax differential from statutory rate applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs		(1	%)		7	%		9	%
Effect of withholding taxes (2)		(39	%)		(12	%)		109	%
Changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(29	%)		(71	%)		27	%
Research and development super-deduction		4	%		12	%		(9	%)
Others		(24	%)		(1	%)		(13	%)

		(47	%)		(29	%)		131	%

Note (1): The reversal of income tax for preferential income tax rates that Changyou’s subsidiaries and VIEs were entitled to as KNSEs or Software Enterprises for 2018, 2019 and 2020 was included in the “Effect of tax holidays applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs” in the above table.

Note (2): The effective tax rate for 2018 was mainly due to additional income withholding tax of $47 million that was recognized in the first quarter of 2018 due to a revised policy for Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries with respect to their distribution of cash dividends. The revised policy was adopted to facilitate the distribution of a special cash dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $500.0 million that was declared by Changyou’s Board of Directors on April 5, 2018. The change for 2020 was mainly due to additional income withholding tax of $88 million that was recognized in the second quarter of 2020 due to a revised policy with respect to Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries regarding their distribution of cash dividends.

PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends

non-PRC

Before 2018, in order to fund the distribution of a dividend to shareholders of the Sohu Group’s majority-owned subsidiary Changyou, Changyou’s management determined to cause one of its PRC subsidiaries to declare and distribute a cash dividend of all of its stand-alone 2012 earnings and half of its stand-alone subsequent years’ earnings to its direct overseas parent company, Changyou HK, and adopted as a policy for such subsequent years for its PRC subsidiaries a limit on payment of dividends to their direct overseas parent companies of

one-half

of such PRC subsidiaries’ earnings. In 2018, in order to facilitate the distribution of a special cash dividend of $500.0 million declared by Changyou’s board of directors on April 5, 2018, Changyou revised its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to their distribution of cash dividends. Under the revised policy, all of Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries (not including Changyou’s VIEs and their subsidiaries) will be able to distribute their cumulative available and undistributed earnings to their direct overseas parent companies in future periods. The change resulted in Changyou’s accrual of additional withholding income taxes of approximately $47 million for the period before December 31, 2017, which was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, the Sohu Group had accrued deferred tax liabilities related to Changyou in the amount of $86.8 million for PRC withholding tax. In 2020, after the completion of Changyou Merger, Changyou’s net income/(loss) is wholly attributable to Sohu. Changyou changed its policy for its PRC subsidiaries with respect to their distribution of cash dividends. The change resulted in Changyou’s accrual of additional withholding income taxes of approximately $88 million, which was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Sohu Group had accrued deferred tax liabilities related to Changyou in the amount of $206.6 million for PRC withholding tax.

With the exception of that dividend, the Sohu Group does not intend to have any of its PRC subsidiaries or VIEs distribute any undistributed profits of such subsidiaries or VIEs to their direct overseas parent companies, but rather intends that such profits will be permanently reinvested by such subsidiaries and VIEs for their PRC operations. As of December 31, 2020, the total amount of undistributed profits from the PRC subsidiaries and VIEs for which no withholding tax had been accrued was $783.8 million, and the unrecognized tax liabilities were $78.4 million.

PRC Value-Added Tax

On May 1, 2016, the transition from the imposition of PRC business tax to the imposition of VAT was expanded to all industries in China, and as a result all of the Sohu Group’s revenues have been subject to VAT since that date. To record VAT payable, the Group adopted the net presentation method, which presents the difference between the output VAT (at rates of 6% or 17% for the period from January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2018, at rates of 6% or 16% for the period from May 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019, and at rates of 6% or 13% after April 1, 2019) and the available input VAT amount (at the rate applicable to the supplier).

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of the Group’s deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss from operations	$	277,478		$	325,797
Accrued bonus and commissions		8,539			10,613
Intangible assets transfer		916			690
Others		10,947			8,692

Total deferred tax assets		297,880			345,792
Less: Valuation allowance		(283,711	)		(326,755	)

Net deferred tax asset s	$	14,169		$	19,037

Deferred tax liabilities
Withholding tax for dividend	$	(86,834	)	$	(206,594	)
Others		(9,070	)		(10,999	)

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(95,904	)	$	(217,593	)

Net deferred tax assets are recorded under other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, the Group had net operating losses from PRC entities of approximately $1.56 billion available to offset against future net profit for income tax purposes. The Group anticipates that it is more likely than not that these net operating losses may not be utilized based on its estimate of the operation performance of these PRC entities; therefore, $318.5 million in deferred tax assets generated from net operating losses were offset by a valuation allowance.

The following table sets forth the movement of the valuation allowances for deferred tax assets for the years presented (in thousands):


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Beginning balance	$	233,910			250,524			283,711
Provision for the year		34,496			44,634			36,363
Reversal for the year		(6,891	)		(7,311	)		(12,637	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(10,991	)		(4,136	)		19,318

Ending balance	$	250,524			283,711			326,755

In 2020, $13.8 million of PRC net operating losses generated from previous years expired. Pursuant to a public announcement issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation in August 2018, net operating losses of entities not qualified as HNTEs will expire between 2021 and 2025 if not utilized and those of entities qualified as HNTEs will expire in 2030.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The following table summarizes the Group’s unrecognized tax benefit from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2018			2019		2020
Beginning balance	$	31,138		$	174,363	$	181,640
Increases /(decreases) related to prior year tax positions		(1,190	)		7,277		7,120
Increases related to current year tax positions		144,415			0		0

Ending balance	$	174,363		$	181,640	$	188,760

The increase in 2020 was mainly due to $6 million in interest recognized in connection with an unrecognized tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The increase in 2019 was mainly due to $8 million interest recognized in connection with an unrecognized tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The material jurisdictions in which the Group is subject to potential examination include China and the United States. In general, the PRC tax authorities have up to five years, and the U.S. IRS has up to three years and in certain cases up to six years, to conduct examinations of the tax filings of the Group.

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies

16.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

The following table sets forth the Group’s commitments as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


	2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		Thereafter		Total Payments Required
Royalties and expenditures for licensed content of games	$	28,423		7,870		0		0		0		0		36,293
Purchase of bandwidth		14,084		150		102		0		0		0		14,336
Interest payment commitment		6,623		1,458		1,334		628		0		0		10,043
Operating lease obligations		4,144		3,647		1,165		73		37		0		9,066
Purchase of content and services — others		6,715		236		19		0		0		0		6,970
Purchase of content and services — video		5,398		1,006		0		0		0		0		6,404
Others		518		24		0		0		0		0		542

Total Payments Required	$	65,905		14,391		2,620		701		37		0		83,654

Litigation

The Sohu Group is a party to various litigation matters which it considers routine and incidental to its business. The Sohu Group records a liability when the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Sohu Group evaluates, on a regular basis, developments in litigation matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued and makes adjustments as appropriate. Management believes that the total liabilities to the Sohu Group that may arise as a result of currently pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Group’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. As of December 31, 2020, Sohu and Changyou had no significant litigation contingencies.

PRC Law and Regulations

The Chinese market in which the Sohu Group operates poses certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties extend to the ability to operate an Internet business and to conduct brand advertising, search and search-related advertising, online game, and other services in the PRC. Though the PRC has, since 1978, implemented a wide range of market-oriented economic reforms, continued reforms and progress towards a full market-oriented economy are uncertain. In addition, the telecommunication, information, and media industries remain highly regulated. Restrictions are currently in place and are unclear with respect to which segments of these industries foreign-owned entities, like the Sohu Group, may operate. The Chinese government may issue from time to time new laws or new interpretations of existing laws to regulate areas such as telecommunication, information and media. The Sohu Group’s legal structure and scope of operations in China could be subject to restrictions, which could result in limits on its ability to conduct business in the PRC. Certain risks related to PRC law that could affect the Sohu Group’s VIE structure are discussed in Note 17 - VIEs.

Regulatory risks also encompass interpretation by PRC tax authorities of current tax law, including the applicability of certain preferential tax treatments.

The Sohu Group’s sales, purchase and expense transactions are generally denominated in RMB and a significant portion of its assets and liabilities are denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions. Remittances in currencies other than RMB by its subsidiaries in China may require certain supporting documentation in order to effect the remittance.

VIEs

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

VIES [Abstract]

VIEs

17.

VIEs

Background

PRC laws and regulations prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that operate Internet information and content, Internet access, online games, mobile, value added telecommunications and certain other businesses in which the Sohu Group is engaged or could be deemed to be engaged. Consequently, the Sohu Group conducts certain of its operations and businesses in the PRC through its VIEs. The Sohu Group consolidates in its consolidated financial statements all of the VIEs of which the Group is the primary beneficiary.

VIEs Consolidated within the Sohu Group

The Sohu Group adopted the guidance of accounting for VIEs, which requires VIEs to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity. Management made evaluations of the relationships between the Sohu Group and its VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangements with the VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of contractual arrangements with its consolidated VIEs, the Sohu Group controls the shareholders’ voting interests in those VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, the management concluded that the Sohu Group is the primary beneficiary of the VIEs which the Group consolidates.

All of the consolidated VIEs are incorporated and operated in the PRC, and the Group’s principal VIEs are directly or indirectly owned by Dr. Charles Zhang, the Sohu Group’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group identified below. Capital for the consolidated VIEs was funded by the Sohu Group through loans provided to Dr. Charles Zhang and other executive officers and employees, and was initially recorded as loans to related parties. These loans are eliminated for accounting purposes against the capital of the VIEs upon consolidation.

Under contractual agreements with the Sohu Group, Dr. Charles Zhang and those other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group who are shareholders of the consolidated VIEs are required to transfer their ownership in these entities to the Group, if permitted by PRC laws and regulations, or, if not so permitted, to designees of the Group at any time as requested by the Group to repay the loans outstanding. All voting rights of the consolidated VIEs are assigned to the Sohu Group, and the Group has the right to designate all directors and senior management personnel of the consolidated VIEs, and also has the obligation to absorb losses of the consolidated VIEs. Dr. Charles Zhang and those other executive officers and employees of the Sohu Group who are shareholders of the consolidated VIEs have pledged their shares in the consolidated VIEs as collateral for the loans. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate amount of these loans was $7.6 million.

Under its contractual arrangements with the consolidated VIEs, the Sohu Group has the power to direct activities of the VIEs, and can have assets transferred freely out of the VIEs without any restrictions. Therefore, the Group considers that there is no asset of a consolidated VIE that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIEs, except for registered capital and PRC statutory reserves of the VIEs. As of December 31, 2020, the registered capital and PRC statutory reserves of the consolidated VIEs totaled $103.9 million. As all of the consolidated VIEs are incorporated as limited liability companies under the PRC Company Law, creditors of the consolidated VIEs do not have recourse to the general credit of the Sohu Group for any of the liabilities of the consolidated VIEs. Currently there is no contractual arrangement that could require the Sohu Group to provide additional financial support to the consolidated VIEs. As the Sohu Group is conducting certain business in the PRC mainly through the consolidated VIEs, the Group may provide such support on a discretionary basis in the future, which could expose the Group to a loss.

The Sohu Group classified the consolidated VIEs within the Sohu Group as principal VIEs or immaterial VIEs based on certain criteria, such as the VIEs’ total assets or revenues. The following is a summary of the principal VIEs within the Sohu Group:

Basic Information for Principal VIEs and Subsidiaries of Principal VIEs

For Sohu

•

High Century

High Century was incorporated in 2001. As of December 31, 2020, Dr. Charles Zhang and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests, respectively, in this entity.

•

Heng Da Yi Tong

Heng Da Yi Tong was incorporated in 2002. As of December 31, 2020, Dr. Charles Zhang and Wei Li held 80% and 20% interests, respectively, in this entity.

•

Sohu Internet

Sohu Internet was incorporated in 2003. As of December 31, 2020, High Century held a 100% interest in this entity.

•

Donglin

Donglin was incorporated in 2010. As of December 31, 2020, Sohu Internet held a 100% interest in this entity.

•

Tianjin Jinhu

Tianjin Jinhu was incorporated in 2011. As of December 31, 2020, Xiufeng Deng and Xuemei Zhang each held a 50% interest in this entity.

•

Focus Interactive

Focus Interactive was incorporated in July 2014. As of December 31, 2020, Heng Da Yi Tong held 100% of the equity interests in this entity.

For Changyou

•

Gamease

Gamease was incorporated in 2007. As of December 31, 2020, High Century held a 100% interest in this entity.

•

Shanghai ICE

Shanghai ICE was acquired by Changyou in 2010. As of December 31, 2020, Gamease held a 100% interest in this entity.

•

Guanyou Gamespace

Guanyou Gamespace was incorporated in 2010. As of December 31, 2020, Beijing Changyou Star Digital Technology Co., Ltd (“Changyou Star”) held a 100% interest in this entity.

For Sogou

•

Sogou Information

Sogou Information was incorporated in 2005. As of December 31, 2020, Xiaochuan Wang, Sogou’s Chief Executive Officer, High Century and Tencent held 10%, 45% and 45% interests, respectively, in this entity.

•

Chengdu Easypay

Chengdu Easypay was incorporated in 2015. As of December 31, 2020, Sogou Information held 100% of the equity interests in this entity.

Financial Information

The following financial information of the Sohu Group’s consolidated VIEs (including subsidiaries of VIEs) is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalent s	$	40,535	$	47,028
Restricted cash		1,132		1,211
Accounts receivable, net		67,403		47,234
Prepaid and other current assets		13,586		15,385
Short-term investments		0		153
Intra-Group receivables due from the Company’s subsidiaries		400,338		506,659
Assets held for sale (current)		121,347		113,011

Total current assets		644,341		730,681

Long-term investments, net		17,488		17,307
Fixed assets, net		639		295
Intangible assets, net		6,832		3,173
Goodwill		32,782		33,670
Other non-current assets		14,754		15,134
Assets held for sale (non-current)		32,244		0

Total assets	$	749,080	$	800,260

LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	8,595	$	11,145
Accrued liabilities		50,913		46,888
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue		38,754		43,076
Other current liabilities		31,684		37,148
Intra-Group payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries		300,601		332,794
Liabilities held for sale (current)		138,303		187,712

Total current liabilities		568,850		658,763

Long-term tax liabilities		13,220		14,134
Deferred tax liabilities		1,998		2,014
Intra-Group payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries		18,599		19,338
Other long-term liabilities		0		286
Liabilities held for sale (non-current)		1,130		0

Total liabilities	$	603,797	$	694,535


	As of December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net revenue	$	499,861		$	511,957		$	583,187
Net income from continuing operations		1,098			19,607			41,756
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(19,534	)	$	(1,491	)	$	(82,329	)


	Year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net cash provided by/(used in) continuing operating activities	$	18,268		$	(2,038	)	$	5,224
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities		51,657			(5,046	)		(13,244	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		69,925			(7,084	)		(8,020	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(1,110	)		(441	)		47
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities		(48,161	)		(18,040	)		7,797
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(49,271	)		(18,481	)		7,844
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities		650			0			0
Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities		0			8,601			152

Net cash provided by financing activities	$	650		$	8,601		$	152

Summary of Significant Agreements Currently in Effect

Agreements between Subsidiaries, Consolidated VIEs and Nominee Shareholders

Loan and share pledge agreement

between Sohu Media and the shareholders of High Century: The agreement provides for loans to the shareholders of High Century for them to make contributions to the registered capital of High Century in exchange for the equity interests in High Century, and the shareholders pledge those equity interests to Sohu Media as security for the loans. The agreement includes powers of attorney that give Sohu Media the power to appoint nominees to act on behalf of the shareholders of High Century in connection with all actions to be taken by High Century. Pursuant to the agreement, the shareholders executed in blank transfers of their equity interests in High Century, which are held by the Sohu Group’s legal department and may be completed and effected at Sohu Media’s election.

Loan and share pledge agreement

between Sohu Focus HK and the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong: The agreement provides for loans to the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong for them to make contributions to the registered capital of Heng Da Yi Tong in exchange for the equity interests in Heng Da Yi Tong, and the shareholders pledge those equity interests to Focus HK as security for the loans. The agreement includes powers of attorney that give Focus HK the power to appoint nominees to act on behalf of the shareholders of Heng Da Yi Tong in connection with all actions to be taken by Heng Da Yi Tong. Pursuant to the agreement, the shareholders executed in blank transfers of their equity interests in Heng Da Yi Tong, which are held by the Sohu Group’s legal department and may be completed and effected at Focus HK’s election.

Loan agreements and equity pledge agreements

between Video Tianjin and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The loan agreements provide for loans to the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu for them to make contributions to the registered capital of Tianjin Jinhu in exchange for the equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu. Under the equity pledge agreements, the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu pledge to Video Tianjin their equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu to secure the performance of their obligations under the loan agreements and Tianjin Jinhu’s obligations to Video Tianjin under their business agreements. The loans are interest free and are repayable on demand, but the shareholders can only repay the loans by transferring to Video Tianjin their equity interests in Tianjin Jinhu.

Exclusive equity interest purchase right agreements

between Video Tianjin, Tianjin Jinhu and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. Pursuant to these agreements, Video Tianjin and any third party designated by it have the right, exercisable at any time when it becomes legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu all or any part of their equity interests at the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law.

Business operation agreement

among Video Tianjin, Tianjin Jinhu and the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The agreement sets forth the right of Video Tianjin to control the actions of the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu. The agreement has a term of 10 years, renewable at the request of Video Tianjin.

Powers of Attorney

executed by the shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu in favor of Video Tianjin with a term of 10 years, extendable at the request of Video Tianjin. These powers of attorney give Video Tianjin the right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of each of the Tianjin Jinhu shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Tianjin Jinhu.

Loan agreements and equity pledge agreements

between AmazGame and the sole shareholder of Gamease and between Gamespace and the sole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. The loan agreements provide for loans to the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace for the shareholders to make contributions to the registered capital of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace in exchange for 100% of the equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. The loans are interest free and are repayable on demand, but the shareholders can only repay the loans by transferring to AmazGame and Gamespace, as the case may be, their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. Under the equity pledge agreements, the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace pledge to AmazGame and Gamespace, their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace to secure the performance of their obligations under the loan agreements and Gamease’s and Guanyou Gamespace’s obligations to AmazGame and Gamespace under the various

VIE-related

agreements. If the shareholders breach their obligations under any

VIE-related

agreements (Gamease’s or Guanyou Gamespace’s breach of any of its obligations under the various applicable

VIE-related

agreements will be treated as its shareholder’s breach of its obligations), including the equity pledge agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace are entitled to exercise their rights as the beneficiaries under the applicable equity pledge agreements, including all rights the respective shareholders have as shareholders of Gamease or Guanyou Gamespace.

Equity interest purchase right agreements

among AmazGame, Gamease and the sole shareholder of Gamease and among Gamespace, Guanyou Gamespace and the sole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace have the right, exercisable at any time if and when it is legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace all or any part of their equity interests in Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace at a purchase price equal to their initial contributions to the registered capital of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.

Powers of attorney

executed by the sole shareholder of Gamease in favor of AmazGame and by the sole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace in favor of Gamespace, with a term of 10 years. These powers of attorney give the respective boards of directors of AmazGame and Gamespace the right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of their respective shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace.

Business operation agreements

among AmazGame, Gamease and the sole shareholder of Gamease and among Gamespace, Guanyou Gamespace and the sole shareholder of Guanyou Gamespace. These agreements set forth the right of AmazGame and Gamespace to control the actions of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, as the case may be, and the respective shareholders of Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace. Each agreement has a term of 10 years.

Loan and share pledge agreements

between Sogou Technology and the shareholders of Sogou Information. The loan agreement provides for a loan to Xiaochuan Wang, the individual shareholder of Sogou Information, to be used by him to make contributions to the registered capital of Sogou Information in exchange for his equity interest in Sogou Information. The loan is interest

free-and

is repayable on demand, but the shareholder may repay the loan only by transferring to Sogou Technology his equity interest in Sogou Information. Under the pledge agreement, all of the shareholders of Sogou Information pledge their equity interests to Sogou Technology to secure the performance of their obligations under the various

VIE-related

agreements. If any shareholder of Sogou Information breaches any of his or its obligations under any

VIE-related

agreements, Sogou Technology is entitled to exercise its right as the beneficiary under the share pledge agreement. The share pledge agreement terminates only after all of the obligations of the shareholders under the various

VIE-related

agreements are no longer in effect.

Exclusive equity interest purchase right agreements

between Sogou Technology, Sogou Information and the shareholders of Sogou Information. Pursuant to these agreements, Sogou Technology and any third party designated by it have the right, exercisable at any time when it becomes legal to do so under PRC law, to purchase from the shareholders of Sogou Information all or any part of their equity interests at the lowest purchase price permissible under PRC law.

Business operation agreement

among Sogou Technology, Sogou Information and the shareholders of Sogou Information. The agreement sets forth the right of Sogou Technology to control the actions of the shareholders of Sogou Information. The agreement has a term of 10 years, renewable at the request of Sogou Technology.

Powers of Attorney

executed by the shareholders of Sogou Information in favor of Sogou Technology with a term of 10 years, extendable at the request of Sogou Technology. These powers of attorney give Sogou Technology the right to appoint nominees to act on behalf of each of the three Sogou Information shareholders in connection with all actions to be taken by Sogou Information.

Business Arrangements between Subsidiaries and Consolidated VIEs

Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement

between Sohu Era and Sohu Internet. Pursuant to this agreement Sohu Era has the right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Sohu Internet, in exchange for a percentage of the gross revenue of Sohu Internet. The agreement has an initial term of two years, and is renewable at the request of Sohu Era.

Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement

between Video Tianjin and Tianjin Jinhu. Pursuant to this agreement Video Tianjin has the right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Tianjin Jinhu in exchange for a fee. The agreement has a term of 10 years and is renewable at the request of Video Tianjin.

Technology support and utilization agreements

between AmazGame and Gamease and between Gamespace and Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace have the right to provide certain product development and application services and technology support to Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, respectively, for a fee equal to a predetermined percentage, subject to adjustment by AmazGame or Gamespace at any time, of Gamease’s and Guanyou Gamespace’s respective revenues. Each agreement terminates only when AmazGame or Gamespace is dissolved.

Services and maintenance agreements

between AmazGame and Gamease, and between Gamespace and Guanyou Gamespace. Pursuant to these agreements, AmazGame and Gamespace, respectively, provide marketing, staffing, business operation and maintenance services to Gamease and Guanyou Gamespace, respectively, in exchange for a fee equal to the cost of providing such services plus a predetermined margin. Each agreement terminates only when AmazGame or Gamespace, as the case may be, is dissolved.

Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement

between Sogou Technology and Sogou Information. Pursuant to this agreement Sogou Technology has the right to provide technical consultation and other related services to Sogou Information in exchange for a fee. The agreement has a term of 10 years and is renewable at the request of Sogou Technology.

Certain of the contractual arrangements described above between the VIEs and the related wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Sohu Group are silent regarding renewals. However, because the VIEs are controlled by the Sohu Group through powers of attorney granted to the Sohu Group by the shareholders of the VIEs, the contractual arrangements can be, and are expected to be, renewed at the subsidiaries’ election.

VIE-Related

Risks

It is possible that the Sohu Group’s operation of certain of its operations and businesses through VIEs could be found by PRC authorities to be in violation of PRC law and regulations prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership of companies that engage in such operations and businesses. If a finding were made by PRC authorities that the Sohu Group’s operation of certain of its operations and businesses through VIEs is prohibited, regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the licensing and operation of such operations and businesses would have broad discretion in dealing with such a violation, including levying fines, confiscating the Sohu Group’s income, revoking the business or operating licenses of the affected businesses, requiring the Sohu Group to restructure its ownership structure or operations, or requiring the Sohu Group to discontinue all or any portion of its operations. Any of these actions could cause significant disruption to the Sohu Group’s business operations, and have a severe adverse impact on the Sohu Group’s cash flows, financial position, and operating performance. The Sohu Group’s management considers the possibility of such a finding by PRC regulatory authorities to be remote.

In addition, it is possible that the contracts among the Sohu Group, the Sohu Group’s VIEs and shareholders of its VIEs would not be enforceable in China if PRC government authorities or courts were to find that such contracts contravene PRC law and regulations or are otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event that the Sohu Group was unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, the Sohu Group would not be able to exert effective control over the affected VIEs. Consequently, such VIEs’ results of operations, assets and liabilities would not be included in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements. If such were the case, the Sohu Group’s cash flows, financial position and operating performance would be severely adversely affected. The Sohu Group’s contractual arrangements with respect to its consolidated VIEs are in place. The Sohu Group’s management believes that such contracts are enforceable, and considers the possibility remote that PRC regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over the Sohu Group’s operations and contractual relationships would find the contracts to be unenforceable.

The Sohu Group’s operations and businesses rely on the operations and businesses of its VIEs, which hold certain recognized and unrecognized revenue-producing assets. The recognized revenue-producing assets include goodwill and intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions. Goodwill primarily represents the expected synergies from combining an acquired business with the Sohu Group. Intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions mainly consist of customer relationships,

non-compete

agreements, user bases, copyrights, trademarks and developed technologies. Unrecognized revenue-producing assets mainly consist of licenses and intellectual property. Licenses include operations licenses, such as Internet information service licenses and licenses for providing content. Intellectual property developed by the Sohu Group mainly consists of patents, copyrights, trademarks, and domain names. The Sohu Group’s operations and businesses may be adversely impacted if the Sohu Group loses the ability to use and enjoy assets held by these VIEs.

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SOHU.COM LIMITED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity

18.	SOHU.COM LIMITED SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Summary of the Company’s outstanding shares (in thousands):


	Number of Outstanding Shares As of December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Balance, beginning of year		38,898		39,229		39,269
Issuance:		331		40		37

Balance, end of year		39,229		39,269		39,306

Share Incentive Plans

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou, Sogou, and Sohu Video have incentive plans for the granting of share-based awards, including options and restricted share units, to their directors, management and other key employees.

1) Sohu.com Limited Share-based Awards

Sohu’s 2018 Share Incentive Plan

On July 2, 2010, Sohu.com Inc.’s shareholders adopted the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of up to 1,500,000 shares of Sohu.com Inc.’s common stock, including stock issued pursuant to the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units and pursuant to the exercise of stock options. The maximum term of any share-based award granted under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan is

ten years from the grant date.

On April 2, 2018, Sohu.com Limited adopted the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan, which provides for the issuance of up 1,148,565 ordinary shares of Sohu.com Limited. The Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan will expire in April 2028.

Upon the dissolution of Sohu.com Inc. on May 31, 2018, Sohu.com Limited assumed all then existing obligations of Sohu.com Inc. with respect to equity incentive awards that had been granted under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and then remained outstanding, and such awards were converted into the right to receive upon exercise or settlement Sohu.com Limited’s ordinary shares under the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan rather than shares of the common stock of Sohu.com Inc., subject to the other terms of such outstanding awards.

As of December 31, 2020, 208,280 shares were available for grant under the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan.

i) Summary of Share Option Activity

In February 2015, May 2016, September 2017 and November 2017, Sohu.com Inc.’s Board of Directors approved contractual grants to members of the Company’s management and key employees of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,068,000, 13,000, 32,000 and 6,000 shares of common stock of Sohu.com Inc., respectively, under the Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, with nominal exercise prices of $0.001, all of which were converted, on May 31, 2018, into the right to receive upon exercise Sohu.com Limited’s ordinary shares under the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan. In February 2019, July 2019 and September 2020, Sohu.com Limited’s Board of Directors approved contractual grants to members of the Company’s management and key employees of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 20,000, 477,500 and 34,000 shares of ordinary shares of Sohu.com Limited, respectively, under the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan, with nominal exercise prices of $0.001. These share options vest and become exercisable in

four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon the satisfaction of a service period requirement and certain subjective performance targets. These share options are substantially similar to restricted share units except for the nominal exercise price, which would be zero for restricted share units.

Under

ASC

718-10-25

and

ASC

718-10-55

, no grant date can be established for these options until a mutual understanding is reached between the Company and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. If the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense should be accrued beginning on the service inception date, and

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards. To determine the fair value of these options, the public market price of the underlying shares at each reporting date is used and a binomial valuation model is applied.

As of December 31, 2020, 815,425 of these options had been granted and had become vested on their respective vesting dates, as a mutual understanding of the subjective performance targets was reached between the Company and the recipients, the targets had been satisfied, and the service period requirements had been fulfilled. The cumulative share-based compensation expense for these granted options has been adjusted and fixed based on their aggregate fair values, at their respective grant dates, of $26.4 million.

A summary of option activity under the Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		128		$	0.001			$
Granted		112			0.001
Exercised		(43	)		0.001
Forfeited or expired		0

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Vested as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Note (1): The aggregated intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between Sohu’s closing ADS price of $15.94 on December 31, 2020 and the nominal exercise price of the options.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total share-based compensation expense recognized for these options was $2.6 million, $1.9 million and negative $5.1 million, respectively. The negative amounts resulted from

re-measured

compensation expense based on the then-current fair value of the awards on the reporting date. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total fair values of these Sohu options vested on their respective vesting dates were $1.0 million, $2.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

2) Changyou.com Limited Share-based Awards

Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan

On June 27, 2014, Changyou reserved 2,000,000 of its Class A ordinary shares under the Changyou.com Limited 2014 Share Incentive Plan (the “Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan”) for the purpose of making share incentive awards to certain members of its management and key employees. On November 2, 2014, Changyou’s Board approved an increase in the number of Class A ordinary shares reserved under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan from 2,000,000 to 6,000,000. The maximum term of any share right granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan will terminate in June 2024. As of December 31, 2020, all shares available for grant under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan had been granted.

i) Summary of Share Option Activity

On November 2, 2014, Changyou approved the contractual grant of an aggregate of 2,416,000 Class A restricted share units to certain members of its management and certain other employees. On February 16, 2015, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the conversion of 2,400,000 of these Class A restricted share units into options for the purchase of Class A ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.01. On June 1, 2015, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the contractual grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,998,000 Class A ordinary shares to certain members of its management and certain other employees at an exercise price of $0.01. On July 28, 2016, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the contractual grant of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 100,000 Class A ordinary shares to certain member of its management at an exercise price of $0.01. On August 26, 2019, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the grant, effective as of October 1, 2019, to a member of Changyou’s management and a Changyou employee of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 3,023,000 Class A ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.01 per Class A ordinary share. These Changyou share options vest in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and the achievement of certain subjective performance targets. These Changyou share options are substantially similar to restricted share units except for the nominal exercise price, which would be zero for restricted share units. After the completion of the Changyou Merger, the Sohu Board approved the Changyou Plans’ Modification, pursuant to which, among other things, a portion of the share options previously granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger were settled by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share, which equals the Changyou Merger consideration of $5.40 per Changyou Class A ordinary share minus the

per-share

exercise price of $0.01 of such options. None of the remaining share options granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger or that become vested in the future will be exercisable, but can only be repurchased by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share underlying such vested share options upon termination of the option holders’ employment or upon approval of the Chairman of the Sohu Board. As a result of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, share-based compensation expense will be accrued over the service period based on the fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share. No subsequent fair value

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Under

ASC

718-10-25

and

ASC

718-10-55

, no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between the Company and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. If the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense should be accrued beginning on the service inception date, and

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards.

Prior to the completion of Changyou Merger, to determine the fair value of these Changyou share options, the public market price of the underlying Changyou Class A ordinary shares at each reporting date was used and a binomial valuation model was applied.

As of December 31, 2020, 3,732,750 of these Changyou share options had been granted and had become vested on their respective vesting dates, as a mutual understanding of the subjective performance targets had been reached between Changyou and the recipients, the targets had been satisfied, and the service period requirements had been fulfilled. The cumulative share-based compensation expense of $4.2 million for these granted share options was adjusted and fixed based on the aggregate amounts of the fair values of these granted share options at their respective grant dates for periods before the Changyou Plans’ Modification, and at a price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share for periods after the Changyou Plans’ Modification.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total share-based compensation expense recognized for share options under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan was $7.7 million, negative $1.9 million and negative $6.5 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total fair values of these Changyou share options vested on their respective vesting dates were $4.2 million, $1.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total intrinsic value of share options exercised was $0.1 million, $6.6 million and $14.9 million, respectively.

Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan

On August 3, 2019, Changyou adopted and reserved for issuance 3,000,000 Class A ordinary shares under a new share incentive plan (the “Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan”). On August 26, 2019, Changyou’s Board of Directors approved the grant, effective as of October 1, 2019, to certain members of the Changyou’s management and certain other employees of options for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,909,000 Class A ordinary shares at an exercise price of $0.01. These Changyou share options vest in four equal installments over a period of four years, with each installment vesting upon satisfaction of a service period requirement and the achievement of certain subjective performance targets. After the completion of the Changyou Merger, the Sohu Board approved the Changyou Plans’ Modification, pursuant to which, among other things, none of the share options granted under the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan will be exercisable, but can only be repurchased by Changyou following vesting at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share underlying such vested share options upon termination of the option holders’ employment or upon approval of the Chairman of the Sohu Board. As a result of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, share-based compensation expense will be accrued over the service period based on the fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share. No subsequent fair value

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Under

ASC

718-10-25

and

ASC

718-10-55

, no

grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between the Company and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. If the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense should be accrued beginning on the service inception date, and

re-measured

on each subsequent reporting date before the grant date is established, based on the then-current fair value of the awards.

Prior to the completion of the Changyou Merger, to determine the fair value of Changyou share options, the public market price of the underlying Changyou Class A ordinary shares at each reporting date was used and a binomial valuation model was applied.

As of December 31, 2020, 477,250 of the share options granted under the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan had vested. The cumulative share-based compensation expense of $2.6 million for the granted share options was adjusted and fixed based on a price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share after the Changyou Plans’ Modification. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, total share-based compensation expense recognized for these share options under the Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan was $4.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2020, the total value of these Changyou share options vested on their respective vesting dates was $

2.6

million.

3) Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards

Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan

Sogou adopted a share incentive plan on October 20, 2010, which was amended effective August 22, 2014 to increase the aggregate number of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares issuable under the plan to 41,500,000 (as amended to date, the “Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan”). Awards of share rights granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan were made to management and other key employees of Sogou and of any present or future parents or subsidiaries or VIEs of Sogou. The Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan expired on October 19, 2020 and is no longer available for making new grants. The maximum term of any share incentive award granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date.

The options contractually granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan were placed in one of the following three categories:

(i)

Performance-based options, which vest and become exercisable either in

four equal installments or in two to four installments of specified share numbers over their specified vesting periods, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement being met, as well as the employee grantee’s achievement, as determined by Sogou’s chief executive officer, of performance targets for the corresponding period specified by Sogou’s chief executive officer. For purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, each installment is considered to be granted as of the date that the performance targets have been set; or

(ii)	Service-based options, which vest and become exercisable either in four equal installments or in two to four installments of specified share numbers over their specified vesting periods, with each installment vesting only upon a service period requirement being met; or

(iii)

IPO-based

options, which were subject to completion of an IPO and vesting/ exercisability in five equal installments, with (i) the first installment vesting upon the expiration of all underwriters’ lockup periods applicable to Sogou’s IPO and (ii) each of the four subsequent installments vesting on the first, second, third, and fourth anniversary dates of the completion of Sogou’s IPO.

A summary of each of the above three categories of Sogou’s share options as of December 31, 2020 is presented below

(

in thousands

)


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		30,912		29,169		28,761		27,772
Service-based options		1,888		1,888		1,410		829
IPO-based options		7,250		7,250		5,810		5,810

Total		40,050		38,307		35,981		34,411

A summary of Sogou share option activity under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		7,162		$	0.377		4.45	$
Granted		1,099			0.001
Exercised		(4,233	)		0.426
Forfeited or expired		(132	)		0.001

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		3,896			0.232		4.38		30,850

Vested as of December 31, 2020 and expected to vest thereafter		3,395			0.266		4.46		26,767

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		1,570			0.001		5.77		12,794

Note (1): The aggregate intrinsic values in the preceding table represent the difference between Sogou’s closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Sogou Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the share options.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan was $

7.4

million, $

13.5

million and $12.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was $0.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested Sogou share options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.37 years. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total intrinsic value of options exercised was $23.1 million, $1.6 million, and $33.2 million, respectively.

Prior to the completion of Sogou’s IPO, the fair values of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares were assessed using the income approach/discounted cash flow method or based on the

mid-point

of the estimated Sogou IPO price range, in each case with a discount for lack of marketability, because the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares underlying the award were not publicly traded at the time of grant. The assessment required complex and subjective judgments regarding Sogou’s projected financial and operating results, its unique business risks, the liquidity of its ordinary shares and its operating history and prospects at the time the grants were made. After the completion of Sogou’s IPO, the fair values of the ordinary shares of Sogou were determined based on the market price of Sogou’s ADSs

The fair value of the Sogou share options granted under the Sogou 2010 Incentive Plan was estimated on the date of grant with the assistance of a qualified professional appraiser, using the binomial valuation model with the following assumptions used:


Assumptions Adopted	2018		2019		2020
Average risk-free interest rate		3.36%~3.51%		2.60%~2.86%		1.21%~1.66%
Exercise multiple		2		2~3		2~3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		12%		0%~12%		0%
Weighted average expected option life		9		7		4
Volatility rate		40%~46%		36%~41%		38%~44%
Dividend yield		0%		0%		0%
Weighted average fair value of share options		12.26		4.05		4.48

Sogou estimated the risk-free rate based on the market yields of U.S. Treasury securities with an estimated country-risk differential as of the valuation date. An exercise multiple was estimated as the ratio of the fair value of the Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares over the exercise prices as of the time the options would be expected to be exercised, based on consideration of research studies regarding exercise patterns based on historical statistical data. In Sogou’s valuation analysis, a multiple of three was applied for management and a multiple of two was applied for other key employees. Sogou estimated the forfeiture rate to be 0% for the Sogou share options granted to Sogou management and 12% for the Sogou share options granted to Sogou’s other key employees. As Sogou’s ordinary shares had been publicly traded for slightly more than three years as of December 31, 2020, the expected volatility at the valuation date was estimated based on the historical volatility of specified comparable companies for the periods before the grant dates with length commensurate with the expected term of the Sogou share options. Sogou has no history or expectation of paying dividends on its ordinary shares. Accordingly, the dividend yield was estimated to be 0%.

Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan

In October 2017, Sogou adopted a share incentive plan (the “Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan”) which provides that the aggregate number of Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares issuable under the plan is 28,000,000. Share incentive awards may be granted under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan to Sogou’s management and employees and of any of its present or future parents or subsidiaries. The maximum term of any share incentive award granted under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date.

The options contractually granted under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan may be placed in one of the following two categories:

(i)

Performance-based options, which vest and become exercisable in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement being met, as well as the employee grantee’s achievement, as determined by Sogou’s chief executive officer, of performance targets for the corresponding period specified by Sogou’s chief executive officer. For purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, each installment is considered to be granted as of the date that the performance targets have been set; or

(ii)	Service-based options, which vest and become exercisable in four equal installments, with each installment vesting only upon a service period requirement being met.

A summary of each of the above two categories of Sogou’s share options as of December 31, 2020 is presented below

(

in thousands

)


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		192		55		44		17
Service-based options		994		994		324		173

Total		1,186		1,049		368		190

A summary of Sogou share option activity under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		798		$	0.001		8.90	$
Granted		425			0.001
Exercised		(142	)		0.001
Forfeited or expired		(222	)		0.001

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		859			0.001		8.51		7,000

Vested as of December 31, 2020 and expected to vest thereafter		680			0.001		8.46		5,541

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		178			0.001		7.95		1,451

Note (1): The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between the closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the share options.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total share-based compensation expense recognized for Sogou share options under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan was $1.6 million, $2.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 there was $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested Sogou share options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.74 years.

The method used to determine the fair value of the Sogou share options granted under the Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan was the same as the method used for the share options granted under the Sogou 2010 Incentive Plan as described above, except for the assumptions used in the binomial valuation model as presented below:


Assumptions Adopted	2018		2019		2020
Average risk-free interest rate		3.41%~3.95%		2.37%~3.45%		1.20%~2.47%
Exercise multiple		2		2~3		2~3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		12%		0%~12%		0%~12%
Weighted average expected option life		10		10		9
Volatility rate		40%~46%		41%~42%		39%~42%
Dividend yield		0%		0%		0%
Weighted average fair value of share options		10.09		4.87		4.95

Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement

Under an arrangement (the “Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement”) that was approved by the boards of directors of Sohu and Sogou in March 2011, Sohu has the right to provide to members of Sohu’s Board of Directors, management and other key employees of the Sohu, and certain members of management and other key employees of Sogou the opportunity to purchase from Sohu up to 12,000,000 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares at a fixed exercise price of $0.625 or $0.001 per share. Of these 12,000,000 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares, 8,800,000 are Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares previously held by Sohu and 3,200,000 are Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares that were newly-issued on April 14, 2011 by Sogou to Sohu at a price of $0.625 per share, or a total of $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, Sohu had contractually granted options for the purchase of 8,305,000 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement.

The options contractually granted under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement may be placed in one of the following two categories:

(i)

Performance-based options, which vest and become exercisable in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement being met, as well as the Sogou Group’s achievement of performance targets for the corresponding period. All of these options vested and became exercisable before January 1, 2017. For purposes of recognition of share-based compensation expense, each installment is considered to be granted as of the date that the performance targets have been set; or

(ii)	Service-based options, which were granted to members of Sohu’s Board of Directors. All of these share options vested and became exercisable in 2015, as the service period requirement had been met.

A summary of the above two categories of Sogou’s share options as of December 31, 2020 is presented below

(

in thousands

)


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		8,290		8,290		8,290		8,290
Service-based options		15		15		15		6

Total		8,305		8,305		8,305		8,296

A summary of Sogou share option activity under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is presented below:


	Number Of Shares (in thousands)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		9	$	0.001		5.38	$
Granted		0
Exercised		0
Forfeited or expired		0

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73

Vested as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73

Note (1): The aggregate intrinsic values in the preceding table represent the difference between the closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the options.

As all Sogou share options granted under the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement vested before January 1, 2017, no share-based compensation expense was recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

Option Modification

In the first and second quarter of 2013, a portion of the Sogou share options granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan and the Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement were exercised early, and the resulting Sogou ordinary shares were transferred to trusts with the original option grantees as beneficiaries. The trusts will distribute the Sogou ordinary shares to those beneficiaries in installments based on the vesting requirements under the original option agreements. Although these trust arrangements caused a modification of the terms of these Sogou share options, the modification was not considered substantive. Accordingly, no incremental fair value related to these Sogou ordinary shares resulted from the modification, and the remaining share-based compensation expense for these Sogou ordinary shares continued to be recognized over the original remaining vesting period.

As of December 31, 2020, 1,899,000 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon the early exercise of options granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan remained unvested in accordance with the vesting requirements under the original option agreements. All Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares issued upon such early exercise that have become vested have been included in the disclosures under the headings “Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan” and “Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement” above.

In the first quarter of 2018, Sogou changed the vesting conditions of options for the purchase of 2,181,192 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares contractually granted under the Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan by removing as a condition of vesting Sogou’s achievement of performance targets for the period corresponding to the vesting schedule. Of these options, options for the purchase of 1,601,427 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares had not been deemed granted, because their performance targets for the current period had not been set, so the removal of the performance targets resulted in these options becoming subject to vesting only upon service-period requirements being met and being deemed granted immediately upon the effectiveness of the changes. For the remaining options for the purchase of 579,765 Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares, which had been deemed granted, the removal of the performance targets constituted a modification. The modification was not considered substantive, because their performance targets had been achieved before the modification. Based on valuation results, no incremental fair value related to these Sogou ordinary shares was recognized in connection with the modification, and the remaining share-based compensation expense for these Sogou ordinary shares continued to be recognized over the remaining vesting period.

4) Sohu Video Share-based Awards

On January 4, 2012, Sohu Video adopted the Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan, under which 25,000,000 ordinary shares of Sohu Video are reserved for the purpose of making share incentive awards to management and key employees of Sohu Video and to Sohu management. The maximum term of any share incentive award granted under the Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan is ten years from the grant date. The Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan will expire on January 3, 2022. As of December 31, 2020, grants of options for the purchase of 16,368,200 ordinary shares of Sohu Video had been contractually made and were subject to vesting in four equal installments, with each installment vesting upon a service period requirement being met, as well as Sohu Video’s achievement of performance targets for the corresponding period. For purposes of

ASC

718-10-25

, as of December 31, 2020, no grant date had occurred, because the broader terms and conditions of the option awards had neither been finalized nor mutually agreed upon with the recipients. As of December 31, 2019, options for the purchase of 4,972,800 Sohu Video ordinary shares were vested.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, total share-based compensation expense recognized for vested Sohu Video options under the Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan was negative $0.7 million, negative $0.9 million and negative $0.5 million, respectively.

The fair value as of December 31, 2020 of the Sohu Video options contractually granted to management and key employees of Sohu Video and to Sohu management was estimated on the reporting date using the binomial valuation model, with the following assumptions used:


Assumptions Adopted	2019			2020
Average risk-free interest rate		2.44	%		1.11	%
Exercise multiple		2.8			2.8
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		14	%		5	%
Weighted average expected option life		2.0			1.0
Volatility rate		53.9	%		57.3	%
Dividend yield		0			0
Fair value		0.35			0.21

Noncontrolling Interest

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interest

19.	NONCONTROLLING INTEREST

Prior to the completion of the Changyou Merger on April 17, 2020, the noncontrolling interests in the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements primarily consisted of noncontrolling interests for Changyou and Sogou and, following the completion of the Changyou Merger, consist of noncontrolling interests for Sogou

Noncontrolling Interest in the Consolidated Balance Sheets

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets was $0.68 billion and $0.88 billion, respectively.


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Changyou	$	151,503	$	1,321
Sogou		726,960		683,291

Total	$	878,463	$	684,612

Noncontrolling Interest of Changyou

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, noncontrolling interest of Changyou of

1.3

million and $

151.5

million, respectively, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, representing an economic interest of

nil

and

%, respectively, in Changyou’s net assets held by shareholders other than Sohu and reflecting the reclassification of Changyou’s share-based compensation expense from shareholders’ additional

paid-in

capital to noncontrolling interest. As a result of the completion of Sohu’s acquisition of the noncontrolling interests in Changyou on April 17, 2020, Sohu hold

100

of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares, and the noncontrolling interests recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets only reflected economic interests in Changyou’s subsidiaries held by shareholders other than Changyou.

Noncontrolling Interest of Sogou

As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, noncontrolling interest of Sogou of $683.3 million and $727.0 million, respectively, was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated balance sheets, representing an economic interest of 66% and 66%, respectively, in Sogou’s net assets held by shareholders other than Sohu and reflecting the reclassification of Sogou’s share-based compensation expense from shareholders’ additional

paid-in

capital to noncontrolling interest.

Noncontrolling Interest in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, the Sohu Group had net income of negative $42.2 million, net income of $105.9 million and net income of $92.7 million, respectively, attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss).


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Changyou	$	27,137	$	46,990	$	18,448
Sogou		65,586		58,955		(60,656	)

Total	$	92,723	$	105,945	$	(42,208	)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders	$	41,732	$	58,223	$	18,448
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders		50,991		47,722		(60,656	)

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest shareholders	$	92,723	$	105,945	$	(42,208	)

Noncontrolling Interest of Changyou

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, a $18.4 million net income, a $47.0 million net income and a $27.1 million net income, respectively, attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Changyou was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss), representing a nil, 33% and 33%, respectively, of the economic interest in Changyou attributable to shareholders other than Sohu.

Noncontrolling Interest of Sogou (Discontinued)

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, a negative $60.7 million net income, a $59.0 million net income and a $65.6 million net income, respectively, attributable to the noncontrolling interest of Sogou was recognized in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income/(loss), representing Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to shareholders other than Sohu.

Net Income/(Loss) per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE [Abstract]

Net Income/(Loss) per Share

20.	NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE

Changyou’s Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Sohu

of the combined total of Changyou’s outstanding ordinary shares, so Changyou’s net income/(loss) is wholly attributable to Sohu.

After the completion of the Changyou Merger, the Sohu Board approved the Changyou Plans’ Modification, pursuant to which, among other things, a portion of the share options previously granted under the Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan that became vested after the completion of the Changyou Merger were settled by Changyou at a fixed price of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share, which equals the Changyou Merger consideration of $5.40 per Changyou Class A ordinary share minus the

per-share

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

In the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share, before the Sohu Board’s approval of the Changyou Plans’ Modification, a dilutive effect should be assumed. All of Changyou’s existing unvested restricted share units and share options, and vested restricted share units and share options that have not yet been settled or exercised, are treated as vested and settled under the treasury stock method, causing the percentage of the weighted average number of shares held by Sohu in Changyou to decrease. As a result, Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis decreased accordingly. The effect of this calculation is presented as “incremental dilution from Changyou” in the table below. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Changyou restricted share units and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share. As a result, Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basic net income/(loss) per share.

After the Changyou Plans’ Modification, all of Changyou’s previously granted share-based awards have been reclassified as obligation-based awards. Accordingly, all of those Changyou awards are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share. Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basic net income/(loss) per share. There have been no diluted effects resulting from Changyou’s existing unvested share options.

Sogou’s Net Income/(Loss) Attributable to Sohu (Discontinued)

In the calculation of Sohu’s diluted net income/(loss) per share, assuming a dilutive effect, the percentage of Sohu’s shareholding in Sogou was calculated by treating convertible preferred shares issued by Sogou as having been converted at the beginning of the period and unvested Sogou share options with the performance targets achieved as well as vested but unexercised Sogou share options as having been exercised during the period. The dilutive effect of share-based awards with a performance requirement was not considered before the performance targets were actually met. The effect of this calculation is presented as “incremental dilution from Sogou” in the table below. Assuming an anti-dilutive effect, all of these Sogou shares and share options are excluded from the calculation of Sohu’s diluted income/(loss) per share. As a result, Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu on a diluted basis equals the number used for the calculation of Sohu’s basic net income/(loss) per share.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, all of the Sogou share options had a dilutive effect, and therefore were included in the calculation of Sohu.com Limited’s diluted net income/(loss) per share. This impact is presented as “incremental dilution from Sogou” in the table below.

The following table presents the calculation of the Sohu Group’s basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data).


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Numerator:
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic	$	(163,038	)	$	(156,722	)	$	(54,975	)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic		2,956			7,386			(31,137	)
Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic		(160,082	)	$	(149,336	)		(86,112	)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental dilution from Changyou		(381	)		(507	)		(392	)
Incremental dilution from Sogou		(496	)		(606	)		0
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted		(163,659	)		(157,282	)		(55,365	)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted		2,700			6,833			(31,139	)

Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted	$	(160,959	)	$	(150,449	)		(86,504	)

Denominator:
Weighted average basic ordinary shares outstanding		38,959			39,249			39,452
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share options and restricted share units		0			0			0

Weighted average diluted ordinary shares outstanding	$	38,959		$	39,249		$	39,452

Basic net loss per share attributable to Sohu.com Limited
Continuing operations	$	(4.18	)	$	(3.99	)	$	(1.39	)
Discontinued operations		0.07			0.19			(0.79	)

Net loss per share		(4.11	)		(3.80	)		(2.18	)

Diluted net loss per share attributable to Sohu.com Limited
Continuing operations	$	(4.20	)	$	(4.01	)	$	(1.40	)
Discontinued operations		0.07			0.18			(0.79	)

Net loss per share		(4.13	)		(3.83	)		(2.19	)

China Contribution Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

China Contribution Plan

21.	CHINA CONTRIBUTION PLAN

The Sohu Group’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs in China participate in a government-mandated multi-employer defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain retirement, medical and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. Chinese labor regulations require the Group’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs to pay to the local labor bureau a monthly contribution at a stated contribution rate based on the monthly compensation of qualified employees. The relevant local labor bureau is responsible for meeting all retirement benefit obligations; the Group’s China-based subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs have no further commitments beyond their monthly contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Group’s China based subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs contributed a total of $59.2 million, $79.2 million and $89.9 million, respectively, to these funds.

The entire disclosure for retirement benefits.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT [Abstract]

Profit Appropriation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Profit Appropriation [Abstract]

Profit Appropriation

22.	PROFIT APPROPRIATION

The Sohu Group’s China-based subsidiaries and VIEs are required to make appropriations to certain

non-distributable

reserve funds.

On March 15, 2019, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the PRC issued the

Law of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Investment

(the “Foreign Investment Law”), which took effect on January 1, 2020 and replaced the

Law of the People’s Republic of China on Foreign Investment Enterprises

, promulgated on April 12, 1986 and most recently amended on September 3, 2016 (the “Replaced Foreign Investment Enterprises Law”), and certain other laws and regulations relating to foreign investment. On December 12, 2019, the State Council of the PRC also issued the

Implementing Regulations of the Foreign Investment Law.,

which became effective on January 1, 2020.

Under the China Foreign Investment Enterprises Laws and its supplemental regulations those of the Group’s China-based subsidiaries that are considered under PRC law to be WFOEs are required to make appropriations from their

after-tax

profit as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in the PRC (the

“after-tax-profit

under PRC GAAP”) to

non-distributable

reserve funds, including (i) a general reserve fund and (ii) a staff bonus and welfare fund. Each year, at least 10% of the

after-tax-profit

under PRC GAAP is required to be set aside as general reserve fund until such appropriations for the fund equal 50% of the registered capital of the applicable entity. The appropriation for the other reserve fund is at the Group’s discretion as determined by each entity. Alternatively, after January 1, 2020, those China-based subsidiaries of the Group that are wholly foreign-owned enterprises may choose to make appropriations from their

after-tax-profit

under PRC GAAP to

non-distributable

reserve funds, including a statutory surplus fund and a discretionary surplus fund, in compliance with the requirements of the Company Law of the PRC (the “Company Law”) that apply to PRC domestically-funded enterprises.

Pursuant to the Company Law, those of the Group’s China-based subsidiaries that are considered under PRC law to be domestically funded enterprises, as well as the Group’s VIEs, are required to make appropriations from their

after-tax-profit

under PRC GAAP to

non-distributable

reserve funds, including a statutory surplus fund and a discretionary surplus fund. Each year, at least 10% of the

after-tax-profit

under PRC GAAP is required to be set aside as statutory surplus fund until such appropriations for the fund equal 50% of the registered capital of the applicable entity. The appropriation for the discretionary surplus fund is at the Company’s discretion as determined by each entity.

Upon certain regulatory approvals and subject to certain limitations, the general reserve fund and the statutory surplus fund can be used to offset prior year losses, if any, and can be converted into paid-in capital of the applicable entity.

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the total amount of profits contributed to these funds by the Group was $0.4 million, $10.4 million and $7.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total amount of profits contributed to these funds by the Group was $81.1 million and $80.7 million, respectively.

As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC laws and regulations, the Group’s China-based subsidiaries and VIEs are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets in the form of

non-distributable

reserve funds to the Company in the form of dividends, loans or advances. Even though the Company currently does not require any such dividends, loans or advances from its China-based subsidiaries and VIEs for working capital and other funding purposes, the Company may in the future require additional cash resources from its China-based subsidiaries and VIEs due to changes in business conditions, to fund future acquisitions and development, or to declare and pay dividends to or make distributions to its shareholders.

Concentration Risks

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

CONCENTRATION RISKS [Abstract]

Concentration Risks

23.	CONCENTRATION RISKS

Because its operations are substantially conducted in the PRC, the Sohu Group is subject to

PRC-related

political, economic and legal risks. Besides these risks, the Sohu Group may also have the following concentration risks.

Operation Risk

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were no revenues from customers that individually represent greater than 10% of the total online advertising revenues.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from TLBB were $309.7 million, accounting for approximately 58% of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 56% of Changyou’s total revenues and approximately 41% of the Sohu Group’s total revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2020, revenues from Legacy TLBB Mobile were $88.3 million, accounting for approximately 16% of Changyou’s online game revenues, approximately 16% of Changyou’s total revenues, and approximately 12% of the Sohu Group’s total revenues.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Sohu Group to concentration risks consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Cash and cash equivalents in Sohu Group are mainly denominated in RMB and in U.S. dollars. Short-term investments are denominated in RMB. The Group may experience economic losses and negative impacts on earnings and equity as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. Moreover, the Chinese government imposes controls on the convertibility of RMB into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of the PRC. The Group may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency.

Credit Risk

As of December 31, 2020, approximately 95% of the Sohu Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held in 22 financial institutions in Mainland China. The remaining cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held primarily in financial institutions in Hong Kong and Macao.

As of December 31, 2019, approximately 89% of the Sohu Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held in 23 financial institutions in Mainland China. The remaining cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were held primarily in financial institutions in Hong Kong and Macao.

The Sohu Group holds its cash and bank deposits at Chinese financial institutions that are among the largest and most respected in the PRC and at international financial institutions with high ratings from internationally-recognized rating agencies. The management chooses these institutions because of their reputations and track records for stability, and their known large cash reserves, and management periodically reviews these institutions’ reputations, track records, and reported reserves.

Management expects that any additional institutions that the Sohu Group uses for its cash and bank deposits will be chosen with similar criteria for soundness. As a further means of managing its credit risk, the Sohu Group holds its cash and bank deposits in a number of different financial institutions. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Sohu Group held its cash and bank deposits in different financial institutions and held no more than approximately 59% and 19%, respectively, of its total cash at any single institution.

Under PRC law, it is generally required that a commercial bank in the PRC that holds third party cash deposits protect the depositors’ rights over and interests in their deposited money; PRC banks are subject to a series of risk control regulatory standards; and PRC bank regulatory authorities are empowered to take over the operation and management of any PRC bank that faces a material credit crisis.

For the credit risk related to accounts receivable, the Sohu Group performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and, if necessary, maintains reserves for potential credit losses. Historically, such losses have been within management’s expectations.

Restricted Net Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

RESTRICTED NET ASSETS [Abstract]

Restricted Net Assets

24.	RESTRICTED NET ASSETS

Relevant PRC law and regulations permit payment of dividends by

PRC-based

operating entities only out of their retained earnings, if any, as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. In addition, a

PRC-based

operating entity is required to annually appropriate 10% of net

after-tax

income to the statutory surplus reserve fund (see Note 23) prior to payment of any dividends, unless such reserve funds have reached 50% of the entity’s registered capital. As a result of these and other restrictions under PRC law and regulations,

PRC-based

operating entities are restricted in their ability to transfer a portion of their net assets to the Company either in the form of dividends, loans or advances. The Company may in the future require additional cash resources from

PRC-based

operating entities due to changes in business conditions, to fund future acquisitions and development, or to declare and pay dividends to or distribution to its shareholders. As of December 31, 2020, the Group had restricted net assets in the amount of $347.4 million.

Additional Information - Condensed Financial Statements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Additional - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant

25.	ADDITIONAL INFORMATION — CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The condensed financial statements of Sohu.com Limited have been prepared in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation

S-X

Rule

5-04

and Rule

12-04.

The Company records its investments in subsidiaries and VIEs under the equity method of accounting. Such investments and long-term loans to subsidiaries and VIEs are presented on the balance sheet as “Interests in subsidiaries and VIEs” and the loss of the subsidiaries and VIEs is presented as “Share of loss of subsidiaries and VIEs” in the statement of comprehensive income.

The footnote disclosures contain supplemental information relating to the operations of the Company and, as such, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2020, there were no material contingencies, significant provisions for long-term obligations, or guarantees of the Company, except for those, if any, which have been separately disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.

SOHU.COM LIMITED

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,756		$	586
Prepaid and other current assets		744			1,609
Due from subsidiaries and VIEs		530,182			528,218

Total current assets		534,682			530,413
Interests in subsidiaries and VIEs		22,093			0
Other assets, net		27,736			27,496

Total assets	$	584,511		$	557,909

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities		3,757			1,932
Deficit of investment in subsidiaries and VIEs		0			50,101
Long-term liabilities		152,300			158,507

Total liabilities		156,057			210,540

Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary Shares: $0.001 par value per share (75,400 shares authorized; 39,269 shares and 39,306 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2020)		39			39
Additional paid-in capital		948,201			952,733
Accumulated other comprehensive income		24,351			29,189
Accumulated deficit		(544,137	)		(634,592	)

Total shareholders’ equity		428,454			347,369

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	584,511		$	557,909

SOHU.COM LIMITED

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Revenues	$	0		$	0		$	0
Cost of revenues		0			0			0

Gross profit		0			0			0

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		12,206			2,320			1,613

Operating loss		(12,206	)		(2,320	)		(1,613	)
Share of loss of subsidiaries and VIEs		(232,307	)		(184,092	)		(77,221	)
Other income/(expense)		22			44,738			(1,083	)
Interest income		5,865			225			12

Loss before income tax expense/(benefit)		(238,626	)		(141,449	)		(79,905	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		(78,544	)		7,887			6,207

Net loss		(160,082	)		(149,336	)		(86,112	)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(13,494	)		24,351			29,189

Comprehensive loss	$	(173,576	)	$	(124,985	)	$	(56,923	)

SOHU.COM LIMITED

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(160,082	)	$	(149,336	)	$	(86,112	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Investment loss from subsidiaries and VIEs		232,307			184,092			77,221
Share-based compensation expense/(benefit)		(1,916	)		395			0
Others		(993	)		0			0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Due from subsidiaries and VIEs		(2,963	)		(59,533	)		1,964
Prepaid and other current assets		(3,996	)		425			(865	)
Tax liabilities		(79,569	)		7,886			6,207
Accrued liabilities		1,892			(3,715	)		(1,825	)

Net cash used in operating activities		(15,320	)		(19,786	)		(3,410	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividend received		0			7,050			0

Net cash used in operating activities		0			7,050			0

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits		(15,320	)		(12,736	)		(3,410	)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at beginning of year		2,845			16,732			3,996
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits of Sohu.com Limited at the date of the liquidation of Sohu.com Inc.		29,207			0			0

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at end of year	$	16,732		$	3,996		$	586

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted time deposits to the condensed balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,492		$	3,756		$	586
Restricted time deposits included in other assets		240			240			0

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at end of year	$	16,732		$	3,996		$	586

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Polices)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Discontinued operations

Accounting Standards

Use of Estimates

on-going

Basis of Consolidation and Recognition of Noncontrolling Interest

VIE Consolidation

Noncontrolling Interest Recognition

Noncontrolling Interest for Changyou

Noncontrolling Interest for Sogou

Segment Reporting

Revenue Recognition

Impact of Adoption of ASC 606

Under ASC 605,

advertising-for-advertising

barter transactions are to be recorded at the fair value of the advertising received by reference to the fair value of advertising services provided to other customers.

advertising-for-advertising

barter transaction, allocation of upfront license fees for

licensed-out

The following table presents the Group’s revenues disaggregated by products and services:


	Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	127,612		0		127,612
Sohu Video		53,886		0		53,886
Focus		31,144		0		31,144
17173.com Website		0		19,697		19,697
Online games:
PC games		0		236,743		236,743
Mobile games		0		151,737		151,737
Other games		0		1,308		1,308
Others		61,974		6,074		68,048

Total	$	274,616		415,559		690,175


	Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	94,692		0		94,692
Sohu Video		34,529		0		34,529
Focus		32,120		0		32,120
17173.com Website		0		13,715		13,715
Online games:
PC games		0		267,752		267,752
Mobile games		0		172,718		172,718
Other games		0		432		432
Others		57,082		763		57,845

Total	$	218,423		455,380		673,803

	Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	86,293		0		86,293
Sohu Video		25,312		0		25,312
Focus		23,281		0		23,281
17173.com Website		0		11,640		11,640
Online games:
PC games		0		353,737		353,737
Mobile games		0		182,947		182,947
Other games		0		0		0
Others		66,658		22		66,680
Total	$	201,544		548,346		749,890

Brand Advertising Revenues

Revenue Recognition of Multiple Performance Obligations

Pricing Model

pre-roll,

mid-roll,

post-roll video screens, pause video screens, loading page ads, news feed ads,

in-feed

video infomercial ads and other formats.

Currently the Group has three main types of pricing models, consisting of the Fixed Price model, the Cost Per Impression (“CPM”) model and the Cost Per Click (“CPC”) model.

(i)	Fixed Price model

(ii)

CPM model

(iii)

CPC model

Under the CPC model, there is no fixed price for advertising services stated in the contract with the advertiser and the unit price for each click is auction-based. The Group charges advertisers on a

per-click

Online Game Revenues

Changyou’s online game revenues are generated primarily from its self-operated and

licensed-out

in-game

virtual items, including those with a predetermined expiration time and perpetual virtual items.

in-game

PC Games

Changyou’s self-operated PC games are either developed in house or licensed from third-party developers. For licensed PC games, Changyou remits a

pre-agreed

Mobile Games

Self-operated Mobile Games

For self-operated mobile games, Changyou sells game points to its game players via third-party mobile APP stores. The mobile APP stores in turn pay Changyou proceeds after deducting their share of

pre-agreed

revenue-sharing amounts.

pre-agreed

Licensed Out Mobile Games

up-front

pre-agreed

Other Revenues

Sohu

Other revenues attributable to Sohu consist primarily of revenues from paid subscription services, interactive broadcasting services, and

sub-licensing

of purchased video content to third parties.

Changyou

Other revenues attributable to Changyou are primarily from IVAS.

Contract Balances

There was no significant change in the contract assets and contract liability balances during 2020.

Revenue recognized in 2020 from performance obligations related to prior years was not material.

Practical Expedients

The Group has used the following practical expedients as allowed under ASC 606:

(iv) The Group generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would be one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Revenue

Cost of Brand Advertising Revenues

Cost of Online Game Revenues

Cost of Other Revenues

Product Development Expenses

Sales and Marketing Expenses

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of salary and benefits expenses, professional fees, share-based compensation, bad debts, travel and entertainment expenses, and facilities expenses.

Share-based Compensation Expense

re-measured

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou, and Sogou Share-based Awards

Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) Share-based Awards

Under ASC

718-10-25,

no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between Sohu and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance with ASC

718-10-55,

as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be

re-measured

Changyou Share-based Awards

718-10-25,

no grant date can be established until a mutual understanding is reached between Changyou and the recipients clarifying the subjective performance requirements. In accordance with ASC

718-10-55,

as the service inception date preceded the grant date, compensation expense was accrued beginning on the service inception date and will be

re-measured

per-share

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Sogou Share-based Award

Before Sogou’s adoption of ASU

2018-07

non-employees

505-50

to measure share options granted to

non-employees

based on the then-current fair value at each reporting date until the service was provided and the performance targets were met. After Sogou’s adoption of ASU

2018-07,

share-based compensation expense for share options granted to

non-employees

is recognized in accordance with the requirements of ASC 718 for employee share-based compensation awards.

Compensation Expense Recognition

re-measured

Sohu Video Share-based Awards

For purposes of ASC

718-10-25,

as of December 31, 2020, no

grant

date

718-10-55,

re-measured,

and will

re-measure,

the compensation expense on each subsequent reporting date based on the then-current fair values of these vested awards until the grant date is established.

Taxation

PRC Corporate Income Tax

PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends

non-PRC

PRC Value Added Tax

U.S. Corporate Income Tax

Sohu.com Inc., which was formerly the

top-tier

one-time

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs and Changyou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs or Sogou’s

non-U.S.

subsidiaries and VIEs, or where Sohu.com Inc.’s

non-U.S.

To the extent that portions of Sohu.com Inc.’s U.S. taxable income, such as Subpart F income or global intangible

low-taxed

Treatment of Toll Charge Related to the U.S. TCJA

non-U.S.

For the fourth quarter of 2018, the Sohu Group’s management

re-evaluated

Uncertain Tax Positions

two-step

approach for tax position measurement and financial statement recognition. For the

two-step

Net Income /(Loss) per Share

Net Income/(Loss) per Share

Changyou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu

wholly attributable to Sohu.

per-share

re-measurement

will be made, given that the award is an obligation based on a fixed amount of $5.39 per Changyou Class A ordinary share.

Sogou’s net income/(loss) attributable to Sohu (Discontinued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 1 - observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 - include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the market place.

Level 3 - unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity

Cash Equivalents

Short-term Investments

Account Receivables, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable are measured at amortized cost and reported on the consolidated balance sheets at the outstanding principals adjusted for any write-offs and any allowance for credit losses.

Allowance for credit losses

Effective on January 1, 2020, the Sohu Group adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU)

2016-13,

“Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU

2016-13”)

The Sohu Group adopted ASU

2016-13

The following table shows the overall adjustments recognized for each individual line item (in thousands).


	December 31, 2019			ASU 2016-13 adjustment			January 1, 2020
Allowance for credit losses
Accounts receivable, net	$	126,081		$	(3,383	)	$	122,698
Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale (1)		134,635			(3,273	)		131,362

Total assets		2,691,864			(6,656	)		2,685,208
Shareholders’ equity
Accumulated deficit		(544,137	)		(6,656	)		(550,793	)

Note (1): Of the total adjustment of $3.3 million, $2.5 million was related to financing receivables.

Accounts Receivable and Financing Receivables, Net classified as assets held for sale

Accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$	130,037		$	94,528
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(3,956	)		(7,007	)

	$	126,081		$	87,521

The following table presents the aging analysis of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Less than 179 days	$	113,173	$	78,805
180-359 days		6,516		7,569
360 days and greater		10,348		8,154

Total		130,037		94,528

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Balance at the beginning of year	$	4,487		$	7,574		$	3,956
Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,383
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		5,449			4,724			2,419
Write-offs		(1,940	)		(8,237	)		(3,231	)
Exchange difference		(422	)		(105	)		480

Balance at the end of year		7,574			3,956			7,007

Note (1): The Company adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2020.

The accounts receivable and financing receivables, net, classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable	$	77,210		$	35,975
Financing receivables		66,858			41,911
Less: Allowance for credit losses (1)		(12,255	)		(6,700	)

	$	131,813		$	71,186

Note (1): The allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables was $6.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

The following table summarizes the

past-due

status of the principle of financing receivables classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	1 - 30 Days Past Due		31 - 60 Days Past Due		6 1 - 9 0 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total
December 31, 2019
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,744	$	1,744
2019		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		49,988		65,114

Total		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		51,732		66,858
December 31, 2020
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,081	$	1,081
2019		1		1		2		0		4		182		186
2020		7,037		576		548		501		8,662		31,982		40,644

Total	$	7,038	$	577	$	550	$	501	$	8,666	$	33,245	$	41,911

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Beginning balance	$	384		$	7,511		$	12,255
Change on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,273
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		9,119			15,620			3,049
Write-offs		(1,908	)		(11,741	)		(12,517	)
Exchange difference		(84	)		865			640

Balance at the end of year	$	7,511		$	12,255		$	6,700

Note (1): The Group adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening consolidated balance sheet on January 1, 2020.

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

Foreign exchange forward contracts are initially recognized on the date a foreign exchange forward contract is entered into and are subsequently measured at fair value.

Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted Cash and Restricted Time Deposits

Restricted cash and restricted time deposits are valued based on the prevailing interest rates in the market using the discounted cash flow method.

Equity Investments

Investments in entities are recorded as equity investments under long-term investments. For investments in common stock or

in-substance

consolidated

statements of comprehensive income/(loss).

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets include fixed assets and intangible assets.

Fixed Assets


Fixed Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Office buildings		36-47
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets
Vehicles		4-10
Office furniture		5
Computer equipment and hardware		2-5

Expenditure for maintenance and repairs is expensed as incurred.

Intangible Assets

The estimated useful lives of the Group’s intangible assets are listed below:


Intangible Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Purchased video content		1 month to 2 years
Computer software		1-5
Developed technologies		3-10
Domain names and trademarks		4-30
Operating rights for licensed games		over the contract terms

Impairment of Long-lived Assets Other Than Purchased Video Content

In accordance with ASC

360-10-35,

Impairment of Purchased Video Content

Purchased video content is stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortization, or fair value.

In accordance with ASC

920-350-35,

Lease

The Sohu Group adopted ASU

No. 2016-02,

Under the new lease guidance, the Sohu Group determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception.

Right-of-use

right-of-use

assets, $6.7 million of lease liabilities, $17.9 million of

right-of-use

assets on assets held for sale, and $16.2 million of lease liabilities on liabilities held for sale as of January 1, 2019.

Goodwill

No. 2017-04,

Comprehensive Income

Functional Currency and Foreign Currency Translation

re-measured

at the applicable rates of exchange in effect at that date. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency

re-measurement

are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326).

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.

2016-13,

Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)

2016-13

2016-13’s

adoption date of January 1, 2020. Please see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” above.

Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350).

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2017-04,

“Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.”

2017-04

did not have a material impact on the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Cloud computing

. In 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on a customer’s accounting for implementation,

set-up,

Other accounting standards adopted beginning January 1, 2020 do not have a significant impact on the Sohu Group’s consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements not Yet Adopted

Simplifying the accounting for income taxes (Topic 740).

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2019-12,

Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

. ASU

No. 2019-12

2019-12

early and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU

No. 2020-01,

2020-01

early and is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company and Nature of Operations (Information of Subsidiaries and VIEs) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

THE COMPANY AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]

Information of all subsidiaries and VIEs


Name of Entity	Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Place of Incorporation/ Acquisition	Effective Interest held
Subsidiaries:
For Sohu:
Sohu.com (Hong Kong) Limited (“Sohu HK”)	Incorporated on April 19, 2000	Hong Kong		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Era”)	Incorporated on July 25, 2003	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu.com (Search) Limited (“Sohu Search”)	Incorporated on October 28, 2005	Cayman Islands		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Media”)	Incorporated on June 19, 2006	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu.com (Game) Limited (“Sohu Game”)	Incorporated on February 11, 2008	Cayman Islands		100	%
Beijing Sohu New Momentum Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sohu New Momentum”)	Incorporated on May 31, 2010	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Fox Video Limited (“Sohu Video”)	Incorporated on July 26, 2011	Cayman Islands		100	%
Fox Information Technology (Tianjin) Limited (“Video Tianjin”)	Incorporated on November 17, 2011	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Sohu Focus Limited (“Sohu Focus”)	Incorporated on July 11, 2013	Cayman Islands		100	%
For Changyou:
Changyou.com Limited (“Changyou”)	Incorporated on August 6, 2007	Cayman Islands		100	%
Changyou.com (HK) Limited (“Changyou HK”)	Incorporated on August 13, 2007	Hong Kong		100	%
Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd. (“AmazGame”)	Incorporated on September 26, 2007	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamespace”)	Incorporated on October 29, 2009	People’s Republic of China		100	%
Changyou.com Korea LLC (“Changyou Korea”)	Incorporated on January 7, 2010	Korea		100	%
Beijing Changyou Chuangxiang Software Technology Co., Ltd. (“Changyou Chuangxiang”)	Incorporated on November 8, 2016	People’s Republic of China		100	%
For Sogou:
Sogou Inc. (“Sogou”)	Incorporated on December 23, 2005	Cayman Islands		34	%
Sogou (BVI) Limited (“Sogou BVI”)	Incorporated on December 23, 2005	British Virgin Islands		34	%
Beijing Sogou Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Technology”)	Incorporated on February 8, 2006	People’s Republic of China		34	%
Sogou Hong Kong Limited (“Sogou HK”)	Incorporated on December 12, 2007	Hong Kong		34	%
Vast Creation Advertising Media Services Limited (“Vast Creation”)	Acquired on November 30, 2011	Hong Kong		34	%
Beijing Sogou Network Technology Co., Ltd (“Sogou Network”)	Incorporated on March 29, 2012	People’s Republic of China		34	%


Sogou (Shantou) Internet Microcredit Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Microcredit”)	Incorporated on November 22, 2017	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Sogou (Hangzhou) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Hangzhou”)	Incorporated on April 28, 2018	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Shantou Ying Zhong Bai Fu Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. (“Sogou Financing Guarantee”)	Incorporated on July 24, 2019	People’s Republic of China	34	%
VIEs:
For Sohu:
Beijing Century High-Tech Investment Co., Ltd. (“High Century”)	Incorporated on December 28, 2001	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Heng Da Yi Tong”)	Incorporated on February 7, 2002	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Sohu Internet”)	Incorporated on July 31, 2003	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Sohu Donglin Advertising Co., Ltd. (“Donglin”)	Incorporated on May 17, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd (“Tianjin Jinhu”)	Incorporated on November 24, 2011	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Focus Interactive Information Service Co., Ltd. (“Focus Interactive”)	Incorporated on July 15, 2014	People’s Republic of China	100	%
For Changyou:
Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Gamease”)	Incorporated on August 23, 2007	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd. (“Shanghai ICE”)	Acquired on May 28, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Guanyou Gamespace”)	Incorporated on August 5, 2010	People’s Republic of China	100	%
For Sogou:
Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd.(“Sogou Information”)	Incorporated on December 28, 2005	People’s Republic of China	34	%
Chengdu Easypay Technology Co., Ltd. (“Chengdu Easypay”)	Incorporated on January 19, 2015	People’s Republic of China	34	%

Sohu’s Business

Brand Advertising Busines

•

Sohu Media Portal.

•

Sohu Video.

Sohu Video is an online video content and service provider in China through the mobile phone application Sohu Video APP, tv.sohu.com and the PC video application ifox for PCs; and

•

Focus.

Focus (www.focus.cn) is an online real estate information and services provider in China.

Revenues generated by the brand advertising business are classified as brand advertising revenues in the Sohu Group’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Impact of new accounting policy on allowance for credit loss

The following table shows the overall adjustments recognized for each individual line item (in thousands).


	December 31, 2019			ASU 2016-13 adjustment			January 1, 2020
Allowance for credit losses
Accounts receivable, net	$	126,081		$	(3,383	)	$	122,698
Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale (1)		134,635			(3,273	)		131,362

Total assets		2,691,864			(6,656	)		2,685,208
Shareholders’ equity
Accumulated deficit		(544,137	)		(6,656	)		(550,793	)

Note (1): Of the total adjustment of $3.3 million, $2.5 million was related to financing receivables.

Schedule of accounts notes loans and financing receivable

Accounts receivable, net, as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$	130,037		$	94,528
Less: Allowance for credit losses		(3,956	)		(7,007	)

	$	126,081		$	87,521

Accounts receivable current overdue details

The following table presents the aging analysis of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Less than 179 days	$	113,173	$	78,805
180-359 days		6,516		7,569
360 days and greater		10,348		8,154

Total		130,037		94,528

Accounts receivable allowance for credit loss

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Balance at the beginning of year	$	4,487		$	7,574		$	3,956
Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,383
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		5,449			4,724			2,419
Write-offs		(1,940	)		(8,237	)		(3,231	)
Exchange difference		(422	)		(105	)		480

Balance at the end of year		7,574			3,956			7,007

Note (1): The Company adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2020.

Estimated useful lives of fixed assets


Fixed Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Office buildings		36-47
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets
Vehicles		4-10
Office furniture		5
Computer equipment and hardware		2-5

Estimated useful lives of intangible assets


Intangible Assets		Estimated Useful Lives (years)
Purchased video content		1 month to 2 years
Computer software		1-5
Developed technologies		3-10
Domain names and trademarks		4-30
Operating rights for licensed games		over the contract terms

ASC 606 [Member]

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Revenues disaggregated by products and services


	Year Ended December 31, 2018 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	127,612		0		127,612
Sohu Video		53,886		0		53,886
Focus		31,144		0		31,144
17173.com Website		0		19,697		19,697
Online games:
PC games		0		236,743		236,743
Mobile games		0		151,737		151,737
Other games		0		1,308		1,308
Others		61,974		6,074		68,048

Total	$	274,616		415,559		690,175


	Year Ended December 31, 2019 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	94,692		0		94,692
Sohu Video		34,529		0		34,529
Focus		32,120		0		32,120
17173.com Website		0		13,715		13,715
Online games:
PC games		0		267,752		267,752
Mobile games		0		172,718		172,718
Other games		0		432		432
Others		57,082		763		57,845

Total	$	218,423		455,380		673,803

	Year Ended December 31, 2020 (in thousands)
	Sohu		Changyou		Total
Brand advertising:
Sohu Media Portal	$	86,293		0		86,293
Sohu Video		25,312		0		25,312
Focus		23,281		0		23,281
17173.com Website		0		11,640		11,640
Online games:
PC games		0		353,737		353,737
Mobile games		0		182,947		182,947
Other games		0		0		0
Others		66,658		22		66,680
Total	$	201,544		548,346		749,890

Sogou Inc. [Member]

New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]

Schedule of accounts notes loans and financing receivable

The accounts receivable and financing receivables, net, classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable	$	77,210		$	35,975
Financing receivables		66,858			41,911
Less: Allowance for credit losses (1)		(12,255	)		(6,700	)

	$	131,813		$	71,186

Note (1): The allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables was $6.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

Accounts receivable allowance for credit loss

The movement of allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands):


	For the year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Beginning balance	$	384		$	7,511		$	12,255
Change on initial application of ASU 2016-13 (1)		0			0			3,273
Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		9,119			15,620			3,049
Write-offs		(1,908	)		(11,741	)		(12,517	)
Exchange difference		(84	)		865			640

Balance at the end of year	$	7,511		$	12,255		$	6,700

Note (1): The Group adopted ASU

2016-13

using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening consolidated balance sheet on January 1, 2020.

Financing receivables current details of due period

The following table summarizes the

past-due

status of the principle of financing receivables classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):


	1 - 30 Days Past Due		31 - 60 Days Past Due		6 1 - 9 0 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total
December 31, 2019
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,744	$	1,744
2019		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		49,988		65,114

Total		10,606		1,635		1,176		1,709		15,126		51,732		66,858
December 31, 2020
Financing receivables by origination year
2018	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0	$	1,081	$	1,081
2019		1		1		2		0		4		182		186
2020		7,037		576		548		501		8,662		31,982		40,644

Total	$	7,038	$	577	$	550	$	501	$	8,666	$	33,245	$	41,911

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Sogou Inc. [Member]

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Balance Sheet Information of Discontinued Operations


	As of December 31, 2019		As of December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	142,464	$	287,185
Restricted cash		5,370		23,018
Short-term investments		995,350		774,618
Account and financing receivables, net		134,635		73,656
Prepaid and other current assets		26,802		28,946
Long-term investments, ne t		63,345		74,004
Fixed assets, net		110,006		89,089
Goodwill		5,534		6,527
Intangible assets, net		1,514		1,446
Other assets		37,281		53,679

Total assets associated with discontinued operations	$	1,522,301	$	1,412,168

LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	132,085	$	122,695
Accrued liabilities		91,949		68,582
Receipts in advance		67,902		64,414
Accrued salary and benefits		24,167		25,350
Taxes payable		76,688		64,082
Other short-term liabilities		60,320		61,154
Long-term liabilities		5,686		10,721

Total liabilities associated with discontinued operations	$	458,797	$	416,998

Comprehensive Income Information of Discontinued Operations


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Revenues	$	1,124,158	$	1,172,252	$	924,664
Cost of revenues		693,470		738,454		722,614
Gross profit		430,688		433,798		202,050
Operating expenses:
Research and development (1)		201,739		190,402		193,376
Sales and marketing (1)		146,194		138,291		102,523
General and administrative (1)		38,072		40,670		29,271
Total operating expenses		386,005		369,363		325,170
Operating profit/(loss)		44,683		64,435		(123,120	)
Interest income		8,037		4,443		2,807
Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss)		5,725		1,849		(7,767	)
Other income, net (1)		41,490		21,127		38,633
Income/(loss) before income tax expense		99,935		91,854		(89,447	)
Income tax expense		1,153		2,748		2,346

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		98,782		89,106		(91,793	)

(1)	Expenses generated from marketing services among the Sohu and Sogou, and leasing expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou are not eliminated because those expenses are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations.

Cash Flow Information of Discontinued Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities	$	132,746		$	219,516		$	(68,187	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities		(638,672	)		(217,598	)		235,374
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities		1			(33,415	)		(8,209	)

Shanghai Jingmao and Its Affiliate [Member]

Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]

Comprehensive Income Information of Discontinued Operations


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019 (1)
Revenues	$	70,202		$	37,323
Cost of revenues		89,233			43,857
Gross loss		(19,031	)		(6,534	)
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		20,288			8,807
General and administrative		4,965			18,583
Total operating expenses		25,253			27,390
Operating loss		(44,284	)		(33,924	)
Interest income		6			7
Other income/(expense), net		(557	)		61
Loss before income tax expense		(44,835	)		(33,856	)
Income tax expense		0			142

Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		(44,835	)		(33,998	)

Cash Flow Information of Discontinued Operations

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019 (1)
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities	$	3,422		$	9,341
Net cash used in discontinued investing activities		(718	)		(10,808	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities		0			0

Note (1): Includes the financial results of the discontinued operations from January 1, 2019 to August 12, 2019.

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]

Segment operating information by segment

The following tables present summary information by segment (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2018
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	274,670		$	415,561		$	(56	)	$	690,175
Segment cost of revenues		(218,184	)		(71,626	)		56			(289,754	)

Segment gross profit		56,486			343,935			0			400,421
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		707			31			0			738

Gross profit		57,193			343,966			0			401,159

Operating expenses:
Product development		(123,743	)		(126,593	)		(1	)		(250,337	)
Sales and marketing		(203,307	)		(34,512	)		(1	)		(237,820	)
General and administrative		(47,738	)		(28,657	)		0			(76,395	)
Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions		0			(16,369	)		0			(16,369	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		4,940			6,430			0			11,370

Total operating expenses		(369,848	)		(199,701	)		(2	)		(569,551	)

Operating profit/(loss)		(312,655	)		144,265			(2	)		(168,392	)

Other income											30,701
Interest income											16,036
Interest expense											(17,538	)
Exchange difference											3,301

Loss before income tax expense											(135,892	)
Income tax benefit											14,586

Net loss from continuing operations											(121,306	)
Net income from discontinued operations											53,947

Net loss										$	(67,359	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.


	Year Ended December 31, 2019
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	218,442		$	455,380		$	(19	)	$	673,803
Segment cost of revenues		(148,258	)		(95,268	)		21			(243,505	)
Segment gross profit		70,184			360,112			2			430,298
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		(23	)		(120	)		1			(142	)
Gross profit		70,161			359,992			3			430,156
Operating expenses:
Product development		(113,761	)		(119,726	)		0			(233,487	)
Sales and marketing		(155,226	)		(49,768	)		2			(204,992	)
General and administrative		(31,330	)		(22,074	)		(17	)		(53,421	)
Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions		(7,245	)		0			0			(7,245	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		(1,023	)		(1,185	)		0			(2,208	)
Total operating expenses		(308,585	)		(192,753	)		(15	)		(501,353	)
Operating profit/(loss)		(238,424	)		167,239			(12	)		(71,197	)
Other income											7,963
Interest income											6,103
Interest expense											(14,370	)
Exchange difference											1,430
Loss before income tax expense											(70,071	)
Income tax expense											(28,428	)
Net loss from continuing operations											(98,499	)
Net income from discontinued operations											55,108
Net loss										$	(43,391	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.


	Year Ended December 31, 2020
	Sohu			Changyou			Eliminations		Consolidated
Revenues	$	201,544		$	548,346		$	0	$	749,890
Segment cost of revenues		(122,362	)		(94,362	)		7		(216,717	)

Segment gross profit		79,182			453,984			7		533,173
SBC (1) in cost of revenues		(177	)		(543	)		0		(720	)

Gross profit		79,005			453,441			7		532,453

Operating expenses:
Product development		(97,681	)		(136,934	)		0		(234,615	)
Sales and marketing		(106,057	)		(53,272	)		0		(159,329	)
General and administrative		(25,861	)		(25,517	)		0		(51,378	)
SBC (1) in operating expenses		(1,759	)		(12,001	)		0		(13,760	)

Total operating expenses		(231,358	)		(227,724	)		0		(459,082	)

Operating profit/(loss)		(152,353	)		225,717			7		73,371

Other income										25,993
Interest income										7,369
Interest expense										(6,234	)
Exchange difference										(3,800	)

Income before income tax expense										96,699
Income tax expense										(133,226	)

Net loss from continuing operations										(36,527	)
Net loss from discontinued operations										(91,793	)

Net loss									$	(128,320	)

Note (1): “SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

Segment assets information by segment


	As of December 31, 2019
	Sohu		Changyou		Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,229	$	94,433	$	0		$	162,662
Accounts receivable, net		70,252		55,829		0			126,081
Fixed assets, net		177,978		159,713		(9	)		337,682
Total assets (1)	$	1,721,801	$	1,871,685	$	(2,423,923	)	$	1,169,563


	As of December 31, 2020
	Sohu		Changyou		Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	56,977	$	160,080	$	0		$	217,057
Accounts receivable, net		60,886		26,635		0			87,521
Fixed assets, net		174,700		162,976		(2	)		337,674
Total assets (1)	$	1,632,736	$	2,478,705	$	(2,701,488	)	$	1,409,953

Share-based Compensation Expense (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE [Abstract]

Share-based compensation expense recognized in costs and expenses

Share-based compensation expense was recognized in costs and expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
Share-based compensation expense	2018			2019			2020
Cost of revenues	$	(739	)	$	142		$	720
Product development expenses		(4,182	)		1,364			7,325
Sales and marketing expenses		(920	)		(326	)		460
General and administrative expenses		(6,267	)		1,170			5,975

	$	(12,108	)	$	2,350		$	14,480

Share-based compensation expense recognized for share awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, Changyou and Sohu Video

Share-based compensation expense was recognized for share awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Changyou and Sohu Video as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
Share-based compensation expense	2018			2019			2020
For Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) share-based awards	$	(5,100	)	$	1,940		$	2,633
For Changyou share-based awards		(6,461	)		1,305			12,545
For Sohu Video share-based awards		(547	)		(895	)		(698	)

	$	(12,108	)	$	2,350		$	14,480

OTHER INCOME, NET (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

OTHER INCOME /(EXPENSE), NET [Abstract]

Other income /(expense)

The following table summarizes the Sohu Group’s other income/(expense) (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Rental income from Sogou (1)		8,392			8,029			9,793
Individual tax refund and additional deduction of PRC value-added tax (2)		0			907			6,169
Government grant		5,342			5,763			5,928
Gain from the changes in fair value of financial instruments (3)		17,999			11,113			4,303
Write-off of unpaid long-term accounts payable		0			0			47
Investment income/(expense)		(3,448	)		3,004			3
Impairment loss on equity investments (4)		0			(23,154	)		(384	)
Donations		0			(283	)		(1,460	)
Others		2,416			2,584			1,594

	$	30,701		$	7,963		$	25,993

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS [Abstract]

Balance sheet components account and financing receivables, net


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$	130,037			94,528
Allowance for credit losses		(3,956	)		(7,007	)

	$	126,081			87,521

Balance sheet components movement of allowance for doubtful accounts and credit losses


	Balance at the beginning of year		Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13		Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries		Write-offs			Exchange difference			Balance at the end of year
2018		4,487		0		5,449		(1,940	)		(422	)		7,574
2019		7,574		0		4,724		(8,237	)		(105	)		3,956
2020		3,956		3,383		2,419		(3,231	)		480			7,007

Balance sheet components other assets and liabilities


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Prepaid and other current assets
Matching loan due from a related party (See Note 9)	$	33,329	$	34,123
Prepaid taxes		26,274		25,043
Prepaid content and license		12,964		11,029
Prepaid cost of revenue		7,175		10,120
Receivables from third party payment platforms		3,435		5,488
Interest receivable from bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less		1,012		3,875
Prepaid professional fees		610		2,365
Prepaid rental deposit		2,891		2,310
Prepaid office rent and facilities expenses		601		696
Employee advances		1,249		587
Others		7,991		10,954

	$	97,531	$	106,590

Prepaid non-current assets
Prepaid PRC income tax for the sale of assets associated with 17173.com by Sohu to Changyou	$	1,882	$	1,006

	$	1,882	$	1,006

Other short-term liabilities
Matching loans due to a related party (See Note 9)		33,536		34,123
Contingent liability related to Shanghai Jingmao liquidation (1)		23,900		23,900
Deposits related to Focus		19,101		21,936
Share-based awards in Changyou		0		13,292
Contract deposits from advertisers		3,060		3,036
Lease liabilities		2,510		1,107
Consideration payable for equity investment		740		751
Others		8,218		8,026

	$	91,065	$	106,171


Receipts in advance relating to:
brand advertising business	$	7,097	$	5,214
online game business		5,524		7,869
other business		6,490		6,029

Total receipts in advance		19,111		19,112
Deferred revenue		31,210		32,943

	$	50,321	$	52,055

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Financial instruments, measured at fair value


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Cash equivalents	$	112,349	$	0	$	112,349	$	0
Restricted cash		3,290		0		3,290		0
Restricted time deposits		240		0		240		0
Short-term investments		321,483		0		321,483		0
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values		9,320		9,320		0		0

Assets measured at fair value on nonrecurring basis


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2019		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	$	3,115	$	0	$	0	$	3,115
Intangible assets, net		9,922		0		0		9,922
Goodwill		47,390		0		0		47,390


			Fair value measurements at reporting date using
Items	As of December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	$	2,585	$	0	$	0	$	2,585
Intangible assets, net		4,842		0		0		4,842
Goodwill		48,434		0		0		48,434

Lease (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

LEASES [Abstract]

Component of operating lease expense

Components of operating lease expense are as follows (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Operating lease expense	$	4,858	$	3,985
Short-term lease expense		244		297

Total operating lease expense	$	5,102	$	4,282

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	5,013	$	3,206

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating leases	$	134	$	5,351

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases

The following table presents supplemental balanc

sheet information related to the operating leases (in thousands):


	Year ended December 31,
	2019		2020
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	3,323	$	4,998

Liabilities:
Current lease liabilities		2,510		1,107
Non-current lease liabilities		83		3,855

Total operating lease liabilities	$	2,593	$	4,962

Maturities of lease liabilities under operating leases

Maturities of lease liabilities under operating leases as of December 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):


2021	$	1,957
2022		1,785
2023		1,421
2024		191
2025		95
Thereafter		0

Total future lease payments		5,449
Less: imputed interest		(487	)

Total present value of lease liabilities	$	4,962

Fixed Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

FIXED ASSETS [Abstract]

Fixed assets

The following table summarizes the Sohu Group’s fixed assets (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Office buildings	$	366,686		$	392,045
Computer equipment and hardware		133,451			132,021
Leasehold and building improvements		34,251			36,649
Office furniture		6,609			6,841
Vehicles		3,239			3,729

Fixed assets, gross		544,236			571,285
Accumulated depreciation		(206,554	)		(233,611	)

Fixed assets, net	$	337,682		$	337,674

Goodwill (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

GOODWILL [Abstract]

Change in the carrying value of goodwill by segment

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by segment are as follows (in thousands):


	Sohu			Changyou			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018
Goodwill		69,627			180,543			250,170
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	37,381		$	10,257		$	47,638

Transactions in 2019
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(248	)		0			(248	)
Impairment losses		0			0			0

Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	37,133		$	10,257		$	47,390

Balance as of December 31, 2019
Goodwill		69,379			180,543			249,922
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	37,133		$	10,257		$	47,390

Transactions in 2020
Foreign currency translation adjustment		1,044			0			1,044
Impairment losses		0			0			0

Balance as of December 31, 2020	$	38,177		$	10,257		$	48,434

Balance as of December 31, 2020
Goodwill		70,423			180,543			250,966
Accumulated impairment losses		(32,246	)		(170,286	)		(202,532	)

	$	38,177		$	10,257		$	48,434

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET [Abstract]

Finite-lived intangible assets by major class


	As of December 31, 2019
Items	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
Purchased video content	$	217,610	$	(179,167	)	$	(35,940	)	$	2,503
Operating rights for licensed games		47,227		(27,992	)		(12,365	)		6,870
Domain names and trademarks		26,301		(9,896	)		(16,176	)		229
Computer software		13,273		(12,953	)		0			320
Developed technologies		8,200		(868	)		(7,332	)		0
Others		2,738		(903	)		(1,835	)		0

Total	$	315,349	$	(231,779	)	$	(73,648	)	$	9,922


	As of December 31, 2020
Items	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Impairment			Net Carrying Amount
Purchased video content	$	212,999	$	(161,160	)	$	(50,088	)	$	1,751
Operating rights for licensed games		51,856		(35,017	)		(14,026	)		2,813
Domain names and trademarks		27,536		(10,243	)		(17,219	)		74
Computer software		11,749		(11,545	)		0			204
Developed technologies		8,699		(918	)		(7,781	)		0
Others		2,928		(966	)		(1,962	)		0

Total	$	315,767	$	(219,849	)	$	(91,076	)	$	4,842

Expected amortization expense


For the year ended December 31,	(in thousands)
2021		3,346
2022		1,177
2023		279
2024		40
2025		0

Thereafter		0

Total expected amortization expense	$	4,842

Taxation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

TAXATION [Abstract]

Components of income before income taxes


	Year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Income/(loss) before income tax expense
Income/(loss) from China operations	$	(76,585	)	$	(89,150	)	$	154,514
Income/(loss) from non-China operations		(59,307	)		19,079			(57,815	)

Total income/(loss) before income tax expense from continuing operations	$	(135,892	)	$	(70,071	)	$	96,699

Income tax expense applicable to China operations
Current tax	$	14,578		$	9,026		$	24,255
Deferred tax		48,907			11,191			102,652

Subtotal income tax expense applicable to China operations		63,485			20,217			126,907
Non-China income tax expense/(benefit)		(78,540	)		7,887			6,207
Non-China withholding tax expense		469			324			112

Total income tax expense/(benefit) from continuing operations	$	(14,586	)	$	28,428		$	133,226

Combined effects of the income tax exemption and reduction available


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Tax holiday effect	$	23,271	$	7,981	$	16,174
Basic net income per share effect		0.60		0.20		0.41

Reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Group's effective tax rate


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Statutory Rate:		25	%		25	%		25	%
Effect of tax holidays applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs (1)		17	%		11	%		(17	%)
Tax differential from statutory rate applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs		(1	%)		7	%		9	%
Effect of withholding taxes (2)		(39	%)		(12	%)		109	%
Changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets		(29	%)		(71	%)		27	%
Research and development super-deduction		4	%		12	%		(9	%)
Others		(24	%)		(1	%)		(13	%)

		(47	%)		(29	%)		131	%

Deferred tax assets and liabilities


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss from operations	$	277,478		$	325,797
Accrued bonus and commissions		8,539			10,613
Intangible assets transfer		916			690
Others		10,947			8,692

Total deferred tax assets		297,880			345,792
Less: Valuation allowance		(283,711	)		(326,755	)

Net deferred tax asset s	$	14,169		$	19,037

Deferred tax liabilities
Withholding tax for dividend	$	(86,834	)	$	(206,594	)
Others		(9,070	)		(10,999	)

Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(95,904	)	$	(217,593	)

Movement of the valuation allowance

The following table sets forth the movement of the valuation allowances for deferred tax assets for the years presented (in thousands):


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Beginning balance	$	233,910			250,524			283,711
Provision for the year		34,496			44,634			36,363
Reversal for the year		(6,891	)		(7,311	)		(12,637	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(10,991	)		(4,136	)		19,318

Ending balance	$	250,524			283,711			326,755

Uncertain tax positions


	As of December 31,
	2018			2019		2020
Beginning balance	$	31,138		$	174,363	$	181,640
Increases /(decreases) related to prior year tax positions		(1,190	)		7,277		7,120
Increases related to current year tax positions		144,415			0		0

Ending balance	$	174,363		$	181,640	$	188,760

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

Commitments

The following table sets forth the Group’s commitments as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):


	2021		2022		2023		2024		2025		Thereafter		Total Payments Required
Royalties and expenditures for licensed content of games	$	28,423		7,870		0		0		0		0		36,293
Purchase of bandwidth		14,084		150		102		0		0		0		14,336
Interest payment commitment		6,623		1,458		1,334		628		0		0		10,043
Operating lease obligations		4,144		3,647		1,165		73		37		0		9,066
Purchase of content and services — others		6,715		236		19		0		0		0		6,970
Purchase of content and services — video		5,398		1,006		0		0		0		0		6,404
Others		518		24		0		0		0		0		542

Total Payments Required	$	65,905		14,391		2,620		701		37		0		83,654

VIEs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

VIES [Abstract]

Financial information of consolidated VIEs


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalent s	$	40,535	$	47,028
Restricted cash		1,132		1,211
Accounts receivable, net		67,403		47,234
Prepaid and other current assets		13,586		15,385
Short-term investments		0		153
Intra-Group receivables due from the Company’s subsidiaries		400,338		506,659
Assets held for sale (current)		121,347		113,011

Total current assets		644,341		730,681

Long-term investments, net		17,488		17,307
Fixed assets, net		639		295
Intangible assets, net		6,832		3,173
Goodwill		32,782		33,670
Other non-current assets		14,754		15,134
Assets held for sale (non-current)		32,244		0

Total assets	$	749,080	$	800,260

LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	$	8,595	$	11,145
Accrued liabilities		50,913		46,888
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue		38,754		43,076
Other current liabilities		31,684		37,148
Intra-Group payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries		300,601		332,794
Liabilities held for sale (current)		138,303		187,712

Total current liabilities		568,850		658,763

Long-term tax liabilities		13,220		14,134
Deferred tax liabilities		1,998		2,014
Intra-Group payables due to the Company’s subsidiaries		18,599		19,338
Other long-term liabilities		0		286
Liabilities held for sale (non-current)		1,130		0

Total liabilities	$	603,797	$	694,535


	As of December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net revenue	$	499,861		$	511,957		$	583,187
Net income from continuing operations		1,098			19,607			41,756
Net loss from discontinued operations	$	(19,534	)	$	(1,491	)	$	(82,329	)


	Year ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Net cash provided by/(used in) continuing operating activities	$	18,268		$	(2,038	)	$	5,224
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities		51,657			(5,046	)		(13,244	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		69,925			(7,084	)		(8,020	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(1,110	)		(441	)		47
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities		(48,161	)		(18,040	)		7,797
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(49,271	)		(18,481	)		7,844
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities		650			0			0
Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities		0			8,601			152

Net cash provided by financing activities	$	650		$	8,601		$	152

Tabular disclosure of the significant judgments and assumptions made in determining whether a variable interest (as defined) held by the entity requires the variable interest entity (VIE) (as defined) to be consolidated and (or) disclose information about its involvement with the VIE, individually or in aggregate (as applicable); the nature of restrictions, if any, on the consolidated VIE's assets and on the settlement of its liabilities reported by an entity in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities; the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with involvement in the VIE; how involvement with the VIE affects the entity's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; the lack of recourse if creditors (or beneficial interest holders) of the consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of the primary beneficiary (if applicable); the terms of arrangements, giving consideration to both explicit arrangements and implicit variable interests, if any, that could require the entity to provide financial support to the VIE, including events or circumstances that could expose the entity to a loss; the methodology used by the entity for determining whether or not it is the primary beneficiary of the variable interest entity; the significant factors considered and judgments made in determining that the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance are shared (as defined); the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities of the VIE included in the statement of financial position; the entity's maximum exposure to loss, if any, as a result of its involvement with the VIE, including how the maximum exposure is determined and significant sources of the entity's exposure to the VIE; a comparison of the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities and the entity's maximum exposure to loss; information about any liquidity arrangements, guarantees, and (or) other commitments by third parties that may affect the fair value or risk of the entity's variable interest in the VIE; whether or not the entity has provided financial support or other support (explicitly or implicitly) to the VIE that it was not previously contractually required to provide or whether the entity intends to provide that support, including the type and amount of the support and the primary reasons for providing the support; and supplemental information the entity determines necessary to provide.

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Sohu.com Limited's outstanding shares


	Number of Outstanding Shares As of December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Balance, beginning of year		38,898		39,229		39,269
Issuance:		331		40		37

Balance, end of year		39,229		39,269		39,306

Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member]


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		128		$	0.001			$
Granted		112			0.001
Exercised		(43	)		0.001
Forfeited or expired		0

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Vested as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		197			0.001		6.09		3,147

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary of categories of share options


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		7,162		$	0.377		4.45	$
Granted		1,099			0.001
Exercised		(4,233	)		0.426
Forfeited or expired		(132	)		0.001

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		3,896			0.232		4.38		30,850

Vested as of December 31, 2020 and expected to vest thereafter		3,395			0.266		4.46		26,767

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		1,570			0.001		5.77		12,794


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		30,912		29,169		28,761		27,772
Service-based options		1,888		1,888		1,410		829
IPO-based options		7,250		7,250		5,810		5,810

Total		40,050		38,307		35,981		34,411

Stock option assumptions


Assumptions Adopted	2018		2019		2020
Average risk-free interest rate		3.36%~3.51%		2.60%~2.86%		1.21%~1.66%
Exercise multiple		2		2~3		2~3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		12%		0%~12%		0%
Weighted average expected option life		9		7		4
Volatility rate		40%~46%		36%~41%		38%~44%
Dividend yield		0%		0%		0%
Weighted average fair value of share options		12.26		4.05		4.48

Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary of categories of share options


Options	Number Of Shares (in thousands)			Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		798		$	0.001		8.90	$
Granted		425			0.001
Exercised		(142	)		0.001
Forfeited or expired		(222	)		0.001

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		859			0.001		8.51		7,000

Vested as of December 31, 2020 and expected to vest thereafter		680			0.001		8.46		5,541

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		178			0.001		7.95		1,451


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		192		55		44		17
Service-based options		994		994		324		173

Total		1,186		1,049		368		190

Stock option assumptions


Assumptions Adopted	2018		2019		2020
Average risk-free interest rate		3.41%~3.95%		2.37%~3.45%		1.20%~2.47%
Exercise multiple		2		2~3		2~3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		12%		0%~12%		0%~12%
Weighted average expected option life		10		10		9
Volatility rate		40%~46%		41%~42%		39%~42%
Dividend yield		0%		0%		0%
Weighted average fair value of share options		10.09		4.87		4.95

Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Summary of categories of share options


	Number Of Shares (in thousands)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) (in thousands)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020		9	$	0.001		5.38	$
Granted		0
Exercised		0
Forfeited or expired		0

Outstanding as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73

Vested as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73

Exercisable as of December 31, 2020		9		0.001		4.38		73


	Contractually Granted		Granted (For Purposes of Share- based Compensation Expense)		Vested and Exercisable		Exercised
Performance-based options		8,290		8,290		8,290		8,290
Service-based options		15		15		15		6

Total		8,305		8,305		8,305		8,296

Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Stock option assumptions


Assumptions Adopted	2019			2020
Average risk-free interest rate		2.44	%		1.11	%
Exercise multiple		2.8			2.8
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		14	%		5	%
Weighted average expected option life		2.0			1.0
Volatility rate		53.9	%		57.3	%
Dividend yield		0			0
Fair value		0.35			0.21

Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

NONCONTROLLING INTEREST [Abstract]

Noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheets


	As of December 31,
	2019		2020
Changyou	$	151,503	$	1,321
Sogou		726,960		683,291

Total	$	878,463	$	684,612

Noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income /(loss)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Changyou	$	27,137	$	46,990	$	18,448
Sogou		65,586		58,955		(60,656	)

Total	$	92,723	$	105,945	$	(42,208	)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2019		2020
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders	$	41,732	$	58,223	$	18,448
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders		50,991		47,722		(60,656	)

Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest shareholders	$	92,723	$	105,945	$	(42,208	)

Net Income/(Loss) per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

NET INCOME/(LOSS) PER SHARE [Abstract]

Calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share

The following table presents the calculation of the Sohu Group’s basic and diluted net loss per share (in thousands, except per share data).


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Numerator:
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic	$	(163,038	)	$	(156,722	)	$	(54,975	)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic		2,956			7,386			(31,137	)
Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited, basic		(160,082	)	$	(149,336	)		(86,112	)
Effect of dilutive securities:
Incremental dilution from Changyou		(381	)		(507	)		(392	)
Incremental dilution from Sogou		(496	)		(606	)		0
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted		(163,659	)		(157,282	)		(55,365	)
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted		2,700			6,833			(31,139	)

Net loss attributable to Sohu.com Limited, diluted	$	(160,959	)	$	(150,449	)		(86,504	)

Denominator:
Weighted average basic ordinary shares outstanding		38,959			39,249			39,452
Effect of dilutive securities:
Share options and restricted share units		0			0			0

Weighted average diluted ordinary shares outstanding	$	38,959		$	39,249		$	39,452

Basic net loss per share attributable to Sohu.com Limited
Continuing operations	$	(4.18	)	$	(3.99	)	$	(1.39	)
Discontinued operations		0.07			0.19			(0.79	)

Net loss per share		(4.11	)		(3.80	)		(2.18	)

Diluted net loss per share attributable to Sohu.com Limited
Continuing operations	$	(4.20	)	$	(4.01	)	$	(1.40	)
Discontinued operations		0.07			0.18			(0.79	)

Net loss per share		(4.13	)		(3.83	)		(2.19	)

Additional Information - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT [Abstract]

Condensed balance sheets


	As of December 31,
	2019			2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,756		$	586
Prepaid and other current assets		744			1,609
Due from subsidiaries and VIEs		530,182			528,218

Total current assets		534,682			530,413
Interests in subsidiaries and VIEs		22,093			0
Other assets, net		27,736			27,496

Total assets	$	584,511		$	557,909

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities		3,757			1,932
Deficit of investment in subsidiaries and VIEs		0			50,101
Long-term liabilities		152,300			158,507

Total liabilities		156,057			210,540

Shareholders’ equity:
Ordinary Shares: $0.001 par value per share (75,400 shares authorized; 39,269 shares and 39,306 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2020)		39			39
Additional paid-in capital		948,201			952,733
Accumulated other comprehensive income		24,351			29,189
Accumulated deficit		(544,137	)		(634,592	)

Total shareholders’ equity		428,454			347,369

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	584,511		$	557,909

Condensed statements of comprehensive loss


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Revenues	$	0		$	0		$	0
Cost of revenues		0			0			0

Gross profit		0			0			0

Operating expenses:
General and administrative		12,206			2,320			1,613

Operating loss		(12,206	)		(2,320	)		(1,613	)
Share of loss of subsidiaries and VIEs		(232,307	)		(184,092	)		(77,221	)
Other income/(expense)		22			44,738			(1,083	)
Interest income		5,865			225			12

Loss before income tax expense/(benefit)		(238,626	)		(141,449	)		(79,905	)
Income tax expense/(benefit)		(78,544	)		7,887			6,207

Net loss		(160,082	)		(149,336	)		(86,112	)

Other comprehensive income/(loss)		(13,494	)		24,351			29,189

Comprehensive loss	$	(173,576	)	$	(124,985	)	$	(56,923	)

Condensed statements of cash flows


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2019			2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(160,082	)	$	(149,336	)	$	(86,112	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Investment loss from subsidiaries and VIEs		232,307			184,092			77,221
Share-based compensation expense/(benefit)		(1,916	)		395			0
Others		(993	)		0			0
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Due from subsidiaries and VIEs		(2,963	)		(59,533	)		1,964
Prepaid and other current assets		(3,996	)		425			(865	)
Tax liabilities		(79,569	)		7,886			6,207
Accrued liabilities		1,892			(3,715	)		(1,825	)

Net cash used in operating activities		(15,320	)		(19,786	)		(3,410	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Dividend received		0			7,050			0

Net cash used in operating activities		0			7,050			0

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits		(15,320	)		(12,736	)		(3,410	)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at beginning of year		2,845			16,732			3,996
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits of Sohu.com Limited at the date of the liquidation of Sohu.com Inc.		29,207			0			0

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at end of year	$	16,732		$	3,996		$	586

Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted time deposits to the condensed balance sheets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	16,492		$	3,756		$	586
Restricted time deposits included in other assets		240			240			0

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted time deposits at end of year	$	16,732		$	3,996		$	586

The Company and Nature of Operations (Details) - Changyou Merger [Member] - Changyou [Member] - Sohu [Member]	Apr. 17, 2020
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Voting power held by the Company	100.00%
Ordinary Shares [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding equity capital held by the Company	100.00%

The Company and Nature of Operations (Information of Subsidiaries and VIEs) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Sohu.com (Hong Kong) Limited ("Sohu HK") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Apr. 19, 2000
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Hong Kong
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sohu New Era Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Sohu Era") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 25, 2003
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Sohu.com (Search) Limited ("Sohu Search") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Oct. 28, 2005
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sohu New Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Sohu Media") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jun. 19, 2006
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Sohu.com (Game) Limited ("Sohu Game") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Feb. 11, 2008
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sohu New Momentum Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Sohu New Momentum") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	May 31, 2010
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Fox Video Limited ("Sohu Video") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 26, 2011
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Fox Information Technology (Tianjin) Limited ("Video Tianjin") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Nov. 17, 2011
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Sohu Focus Limited ("Sohu Focus") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 11, 2013
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Changyou.com Limited ("Changyou") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Aug. 06, 2007
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Changyou.com (HK) Limited ("Changyou HK") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Aug. 13, 2007
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Hong Kong
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing AmazGame Age Internet Technology Co., Ltd. ("AmazGame") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Sep. 26, 2007
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Changyou Gamespace Software Technology Co., Ltd. ("Gamespace") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Oct. 29, 2009
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Changyou.com Korea LLC ("Changyou Korea") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jan. 07, 2010
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Korea
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Changyou Chuangxiang Software Technology Co., Ltd. ("Changyou Chuangxiang") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Nov. 08, 2016
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Sogou Inc. ("Sogou") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Dec. 23, 2005
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Cayman Islands
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Sogou (BVI) Limited ("Sogou BVI") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Dec. 23, 2005
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	British Virgin Islands
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Beijing Sogou Technology Development Co., Ltd. ("Sogou Technology") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Feb. 08, 2006
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Sogou Hong Kong Limited ("Sogou HK") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Dec. 12, 2007
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Hong Kong
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Vast Creation Advertising Media Services Limited ("Vast Creation") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Nov. 30, 2011
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	Hong Kong
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Beijing Sogou Network Technology Co., Ltd ("Sogou Network") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Mar. 29, 2012
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Sogou (Shantou) Internet Microcredit Co., Ltd. ("Sogou Microcredit") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Nov. 22, 2017
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Sogou (Hangzhou) Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. ("Sogou Hangzhou") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Apr. 28, 2018
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Shantou Ying Zhong Bai Fu Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd. ("Sogou Financing Guarantee") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 24, 2019
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Beijing Century High-Tech Investment Co., Ltd. ("High Century") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Dec. 28, 2001
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Heng Da Yi Tong Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Heng Da Yi Tong") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Feb. 07, 2002
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. ("Sohu Internet") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 31, 2003
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sohu Donglin Advertising Co., Ltd. ("Donglin") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	May 17, 2010
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd ("Tianjin Jinhu") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Nov. 24, 2011
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Focus Interactive Information Service Co., Ltd. ("Focus Interactive") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jul. 15, 2014
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Gamease") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Aug. 23, 2007
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Shanghai ICE Information Technology Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai ICE") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	May 28, 2010
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Guanyou Gamespace") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Aug. 05, 2010
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	100.00%
Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd.("Sogou Information") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Dec. 28, 2005
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%
Chengdu Easypay Technology Co., Ltd. ("Chengdu Easypay") [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Date of Incorporation/Acquisition	Jan. 19, 2015
Place of Incorporation/Acquisition	People’s Republic of China
Effective Interest held	34.00%

The Company and Nature of Operations (Changyou's Business) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 17, 2020
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 749,890	$ 673,803	$ 690,175
TLBB [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	309,700
Legacy TLBB Mobile [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	88,300
Product Risk [Member] \| TLBB [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	309,700
Product Risk [Member] \| Legacy TLBB Mobile [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 88,300
Product Risk [Member] \| Total revenues [Member] \| TLBB [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	41.00%
Product Risk [Member] \| Total revenues [Member] \| Legacy TLBB Mobile [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	12.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Voting power held by the Company				100.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of outstanding equity capital held by the Company				100.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Product Risk [Member] \| Online game revenues [Member] \| TLBB [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	58.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Product Risk [Member] \| Online game revenues [Member] \| Legacy TLBB Mobile [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	16.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Product Risk [Member] \| Total revenues [Member] \| TLBB [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	56.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Product Risk [Member] \| Total revenues [Member] \| Legacy TLBB Mobile [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration risk	16.00%

The Company and Nature of Operations (Sogou's Business, Intitial Public Offering of Sogou) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - IPO [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
	Nov. 14, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from IPO, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses	$ 622.1
Increase in additional paid-in capital in shareholders' equity resulted from the completion of Sogou's IPO		$ 278.4

The Company and Nature of Operations (Sogou's Business, Sogou's Share Structure) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 shares	Dec. 31, 2019 shares
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	39,306,000	39,269,000
Sogou [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	387,590,916
Sogou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Conversion into Class A ordinary shares, shares, each Class B Ordinary Share	1
Number of shares outstanding for legal purpose	1,899,000
Sogou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	3,717,250
Sogou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Photon [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	24,686,863
Sogou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Other than Sohu,Tencent,and Photon [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	80,428,928
Sogou [Member] \| Class B Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	127,200,000
Sogou [Member] \| Class B Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Tencent [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of shares outstanding	151,557,875

The Company and Nature of Operations (Sogou's Business, Voting Agreement) (Details) - Sogou [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 Directors shares
Within three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Provisions of the Voting Agreement	within three years following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, Sohu will vote all Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares and any Sogou Class A Ordinary Shares held by it and Tencent will vote 45,578,896 of its Sogou Class B Ordinary Shares to elect a Board of Directors consisting of seven directors, four of whom will be appointed by Sohu, two of whom will be appointed by Tencent, and the seventh of whom will be Sogou’s then chief executive officer
Number of Directors entitled to elect or appoint under the Voting Agreement	7
After three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Provisions of the Voting Agreement	after three years following the completion of Sogou’s IPO, Sohu will be entitled to choose to change the size and composition of Sogou’s Board of Directors, subject to Tencent’s right to appoint at least one director
Sohu.com Limited [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Combined voting power given to Sohu	50.10%
Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Within three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Directors entitled to elect or appoint under the Voting Agreement	4
Tencent Holdings Limited [Member] \| Within three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Directors entitled to elect or appoint under the Voting Agreement	2
Tencent Holdings Limited [Member] \| After three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of Directors entitled to elect or appoint under the Voting Agreement	1
IPO [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
The condition period after the completion of Sogou's IPO to reinstate or terminate voting arrangements	5 years
Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of consent from holder required	15.00%
Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Approximate percentage of Sogou's total outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares	34.00%
Approximate voting power of Sogou's total outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares	44.00%
Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Total voting power held alone by Sohu to automatically suspend the voting arrangements with respect to the size and composition of Sogou's Board of Directors	50.00%
Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Tencent Holdings Limited [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Approximate percentage of Sogou's total outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares	39.00%
Approximate voting power of Sogou's total outstanding Class A and Class B Ordinary Shares	52.00%
Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Sohu and Tencent [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of total voting power held by Sohu and Tencent together to remove and replace the directors appointed	50.00%
Minimum percentage of issued shares held with respect to required terms	15.00%
Class A ordinary shares [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Voting right entitled to ordinary shares	one vote per share
Class B Ordinary Shares [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Voting right entitled to ordinary shares	ten votes per share
Class B Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Tencent Holdings Limited [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Maximum number of ordinary shares held by Tencent to be required to vote \| shares	45,578,896
Class B Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Tencent Holdings Limited [Member] \| Within three years following the completion of Sogou's IPO [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Number of ordinary shares to be voted to select directors \| shares	45,578,896
Class B Ordinary Shares [Member] \| IPO [Member] \| Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of ordinary shares transfer to terminate the voting agreement	30.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Revenue Recognition, Adoption of ASC 606, Revenues Disaggregated by Products and Services) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 749,890	$ 673,803	$ 690,175
ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	749,890	673,803	690,175
Sohu [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	201,544	218,423	274,616
Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	548,346	455,380	415,559
Brand advertising [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	146,526	175,056	232,339
Sohu Media Portal [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	86,293	94,692	127,612
Sohu Media Portal [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	86,293	94,692	127,612
Sohu Media Portal [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
Sohu Video [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	25,312	34,529	53,886
Sohu Video [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	25,312	34,529	53,886
Sohu Video [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
Focus [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	23,281	32,120	31,144
Focus [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	23,281	32,120	31,144
Focus [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
17173.com Website [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	11,640	13,715	19,697
17173.com Website [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
17173.com Website [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	11,640	13,715	19,697
Online games [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	536,684	440,902	389,788
PC games [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	353,737	267,752	236,743
PC games [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
PC games [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	353,737	267,752	236,743
Mobile games [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	182,947	172,718	151,737
Mobile games [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
Mobile games [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	182,947	172,718	151,737
Other games [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	432	1,308
Other games [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0
Other games [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	0	432	1,308
Others [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	66,680	57,845	68,048
Others [Member] \| Sohu [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	66,658	57,082	61,974
Others [Member] \| Changyou [Member] \| ASC 606 [Member]
Organization and Nature of Operations [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 22	$ 763	$ 6,074

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Revenue Recognition, Contract Balances) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Contract Assets	$ 0
Allowance for doubtful accounts and authorized credits	7,000,000.0	$ 4,000,000.0
Amount of revenue recognized that included in receipts in advance and deferred revenue	$ 42,600,000

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Noncontrolling Interest & Share-based Compensation Expense & Net Income/(Loss) per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions			12 Months Ended
	Apr. 17, 2020	Jan. 04, 2012	Dec. 31, 2020
Changyou 2014 and 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued fixed price, initial	$ 5.39
Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) [Member] \| Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted			four equal installments
Award vesting period			4 years
Changyou [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of ordinary shares held	100.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of ordinary shares held	100.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise prices of option granted			$ 0.01
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options exercises in Period, Fixed Price			5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Closing price			5.40
Changyou [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation by share based payment arrangement per share weighted average price per share			$ 5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share options granted			4,210,000
Changyou [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Voting power held by the Company	100.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted			four equal installments
Award vesting period			4 years
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted			four equal installments
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Fixed Price	$ 5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued fixed price, final	5.39
Cash Proceeds per Option granted	5.40
Exercise prices of option granted	0.01
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Fixed Price	5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted			four equal installments
Award vesting period			4 years
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued fixed price, initial	5.39
Accrued fixed price, final	5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 and 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Accrued fixed price, initial	5.39
Accrued fixed price, final	5.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Not Exercisable in Period, Conditionally Repurchased, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 5.39
Sohu Video [Member] \| Video 2011 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted			four equal installments
Number of shares authorized for issuance		25,000,000
Percentage of outstanding ordinary shares on a fully-diluted basis		10.00%
Number of shares under contractually granted share options			16,368,200
Number of shares purchased on vested options			4,972,800
sohu_Changyou Com Limited[Member] \| Changyou 2014 and 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Commulative share based compensation expense			$ 15.7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Taxation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Taxation [Line Items]
Withholding tax rate on dividends, foreign invested enterprises to foreign holding companies					10.00%
Statutory income tax rate					25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
Provisional amount of income tax expense recognized for the Toll Charge	$ 219
Reduction in liability for deferred income tax	4
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded							$ 142
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit			$ 8		$ 6	$ 8	$ 2
Thereafter tax years after December 31,2017 [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate							21.00%
Prior tax years before December 31,2017 [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate								35.00%
HONG KONG
Taxation [Line Items]
Preferential withholding tax rate on dividends, foreign invested enterprises					5.00%
UNITED STATES
Taxation [Line Items]
Provisional amount of income tax expense recognized for the Toll Charge	219
Reduction in liability for deferred income tax	$ 4
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded							$ 142
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit			$ 8		$ 6	$ 8
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible							$ 77
UNITED STATES \| Thereafter tax years after December 31,2017 [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate							21.00%
UNITED STATES \| Prior tax years before December 31,2017 [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate								35.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Withholding tax rate on dividends, foreign invested enterprises to foreign holding companies					10.00%
Statutory income tax rate					25.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Value-added tax rate		6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Taxation [Line Items]
Value-added tax rate		17.00%	13.00%	16.00%	13.00%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary Of Impact of new accounting policy on allowance for credit loss) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2020

Jan. 01, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Allowance for credit losses:

Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale

$ 87,521

$ 122,698

$ 126,081

^[1]

131,362

Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member]

2,822,121

2,685,208

2,691,864

Shareholders' equity:

Accumulated deficit

$ (634,592)

$ (550,793)

(544,137)

Allowance for credit losses:

Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale

(3,383)

^[1]

(3,273)

Previously Reported [Member]

(6,656)

Shareholders' equity:

Accumulated deficit

(6,656)

Allowance for credit losses:

Accounts receivable and financing receivables, net classified as assets held for sale

126,081

^[1]

134,635

2,691,864

Shareholders' equity:

Accumulated deficit

$ (544,137)

[1]	Of the total adjustment of $3.3 million, $2.5 million was related to financing receivables.

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 942
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-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 944
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-Section S99
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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary Of Impact of new accounting policy on allowance for credit loss) (Parenthetical) (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member] $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Impact Of New Accounting Policy On Allowance For Credit Loss [Line Items]
Total adjustment accounts receivable and financing receivables net classified as assets held for sale	$ 3.3
Financing receivables net classified as assets held for sale	$ 2.5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Account Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 94,528	$ 130,037
Allowance for credit losses	(7,007)	(3,956)	$ (7,574)	$ (4,487)
Total	$ 87,521	$ 126,081

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable Current Overdue Details) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounts Receivable Current Overdue Details [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 94,528	$ 130,037
Less than 179 days
Accounts Receivable Current Overdue Details [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	78,805	113,173
180-359 days
Accounts Receivable Current Overdue Details [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	7,569	6,516
360 days and greater
Accounts Receivable Current Overdue Details [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 8,154	$ 10,348

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Accounts and Financing Receivables Net classified as Held for Sale) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounts receivable

$ 94,528

$ 130,037

Less: Allowance for credit losses

Accounts receivable

35,975

77,210

Financing receivables

41,911

66,858

^[1]

(6,700)

(12,255)

Total

$ 71,186

$ 131,813

[1]	The allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables was $6.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Accounts and Financing Receivables Net classified as Held for Sale) (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Credit losses related to financing receivables	$ 6.4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ( Allowance For Credit Losses On Financing Receivables) (Detail) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Beginning balance

$ 3,956

$ 7,574

$ 4,487

Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13

^[1]

3,383

Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries

2,419

4,724

5,449

Write-offs

(3,231)

(8,237)

(1,940)

Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13

480

(105)

(422)

Ending balance

7,007

3,956

7,574

Sogou Inc. [Member]

Beginning balance

12,255

7,511

384

^[2]

3,273

Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries

3,049

15,620

9,119

Write-offs

(12,517)

(11,741)

(1,908)

640

865

(84)

Ending balance

$ 6,700

$ 12,255

$ 7,511

[1]	The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2020.
[2]	The Group adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening consolidated balance sheet on January 1, 2020.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period) (Detail) - Sogou Inc. [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	$ 1,081
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	186	$ 1,744
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	40,644	65,114
Total Financing receivables	41,911	66,858
1-30 Days Past Due
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	1	0
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	7,037	10,606
Total Financing receivables	7,038	10,606
31-60 Days Past Due
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	1	0
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	576	1,635
Total Financing receivables	577	1,635
61-90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	2	0
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	548	1,176
Total Financing receivables	550	1,176
Greater than 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	0	0
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	501	1,709
Total Financing receivables	501	1,709
Total Past Due [Member]
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	0
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	4	0
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	8,662	15,126
Total Financing receivables	8,666	15,126
Current Due [Member]
Financing Receivables Current Details Of Due Period [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Year Three, Originated, Two Years before Current Fiscal Year	1,081
Financing Receivable, Year Two, Originated, Fiscal Year before Current Fiscal Year	182	1,744
Financing Receivable, Year One, Originated, Current Fiscal Year	31,982	49,988
Total Financing receivables	$ 33,245	$ 51,732

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives of Fixed Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Office buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	36-47
Fixed assets, residual value	$ 0
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	Lesser of term of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets
Fixed assets, residual value	$ 0
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	4-10
Fixed assets, residual value	$ 0
Office furniture [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	5
Fixed assets, residual value	$ 0
Computer equipment and hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	2-5
Fixed assets, residual value	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Estimated Useful Lives of Intangible Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Purchased video content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	1 month to 2 years
Intangible assets, residual value	$ 0
Computer software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	1-5
Intangible assets, residual value	$ 0
Developed technologies [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	3-10
Intangible assets, residual value	$ 0
Domain names and trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	4-30
Intangible assets, residual value	$ 0
Operating rights for licensed games [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Lives (years)	over the contract terms
Intangible assets, residual value	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Lease) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Amount of right-of-use asset expected to be recorded after adoption of ASU 2016-02	$ 4,998	$ 3,323
Amount of lease liability expected to be recorded of ASU 2016-02	$ 4,962	$ 2,593
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Amount of right-of-use asset expected to be recorded after adoption of ASU 2016-02			$ 7,400
Amount of lease liability expected to be recorded of ASU 2016-02			6,700
Amount of right-of-use asset on assets held for sale expected to be recorded after adoption of ASU 2016-02			17,900
Amount of lease liability on liabilities held for sale expected to be recorded of ASU 2016-02			$ 16,200

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements, Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements not Yet Adopted) (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jan. 01, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase of allowance for credit losses on ASU 2016-13		$ 3.4
Increase of allowance for credit losses on Accounts receivable ASU 2016-13	$ 3.3

Discontinued Operations (Balance Sheet Information of Discontinued Operations) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 287,185	$ 142,464
Restricted cash	23,018	5,370
Short-term investments	774,618	995,350
Account and financing receivables, net	73,656	134,635
Prepaid and other current assets	28,946	26,802
Long-term investments, net	74,004	63,345
Fixed assets, net	89,089	110,006
Goodwill	6,527	5,534
Intangible assets, net	1,446	1,514
Other assets	53,679	37,281
Total assets associated with discontinued operations	1,412,168	1,522,301
Liabilities
Accounts payable	122,695	132,085
Accrued liabilities	68,582	91,949
Receipts in advance	64,414	67,902
Accrued salary and benefits	25,350	24,167
Taxes payable	64,082	76,688
Other short-term liabilities	61,154	60,320
Long-term liabilities	10,721	5,686
Total liabilities associated with discontinued operations	$ 416,998	$ 458,797

Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2011	May 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment loss					$ 0	$ 0
Changyou [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Disposal gain/loss					$ 0	$ 0
Changyou [Member] \| Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member] \| Cinema Advertising [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Percentage of acquired equity interests	50.00%	50.00%
Changyou [Member] \| Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member] \| Cinema Advertising [Member]
Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Total cash consideration	$ 3,000,000.0
Goodwill impairment loss				$ 5,200,000
Asset impairment charge			$ 17,000,000.0

Discontinued Operations (Comprehensive Income Information of Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss)

$ (3,800)

$ 1,430

$ 3,301

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(91,793)

55,108

53,947

924,664

1,172,252

1,124,158

Cost of revenues

722,614

738,454

693,470

Gross profit/(loss)

202,050

433,798

430,688

325,170

369,363

386,005

(123,120)

64,435

44,683

Foreign currency exchange gain/(loss)

2,807

4,443

8,037

(7,767)

1,849

5,725

Other income /(expense), net

^[1]

38,633

21,127

41,490

Income/(loss) before income tax expense

(89,447)

91,854

99,935

Income tax expense

2,346

2,748

1,153

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(91,793)

89,106

98,782

Sogou [Member] | Research and Development Expense [Member]

Sogou [Member] | Sales and marketing [Member]

^[1]

193,376

190,402

201,739

Sogou [Member] | General and administrative [Member]

^[1]

102,523

138,291

146,194

Changyou [Member] | Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member]

^[1]

$ 29,271

40,670

38,072

37,323

^[2]

70,202

Cost of revenues

43,857

^[2]

89,233

Gross profit/(loss)

(6,534)

^[2]

(19,031)

27,390

^[2]

25,253

(33,924)

^[2]

(44,284)

Other income /(expense), net

^[2]

^[2]

(557)

Income/(loss) before income tax expense

(33,856)

^[2]

(44,835)

Income tax expense

142

^[2]

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

(33,998)

^[2]

(44,835)

Changyou [Member] | Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member] | Sales and marketing [Member]

Changyou [Member] | Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member] | General and administrative [Member]

8,807

^[2]

20,288

$ 18,583

^[2]

$ 4,965

[1]	Expenses generated from marketing services among the Sohu and Sogou, and leasing expenses generated from a building that Sohu leases to Sogou are not eliminated because those expenses are considered to continue after the disposal of the discontinued operations.
[2]	Includes the financial results of the discontinued operations from January 1, 2019 to August 12, 2019.

Discontinued Operations (Cash Flow Information of Discontinued Operations) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities

$ (68,187)

$ 228,857

$ 136,168

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities

235,374

(228,406)

(639,390)

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities

(8,209)

(33,415)

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities

(68,187)

219,516

132,746

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities

235,374

(217,598)

(638,672)

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities

$ (8,209)

(33,415)

Changyou [Member] | Shanghai Jingmao Culture Communication Co., Ltd. ("Shanghai Jingmao") and its affiliate [Member]

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities

9,341

^[1]

3,422

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities

(10,808)

^[1]

(718)

Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued financing activities

$ 0

^[1]

$ 0

[1]	Includes the financial results of the discontinued operations from January 1, 2019 to August 12, 2019.

Segment Information (Segment Operating Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

$ 749,890

$ 673,803

$ 690,175

(216,717)

(243,505)

(289,754)

533,173

430,298

400,421

^[1]

(720)

(142)

738

532,453

430,156

401,159

(234,615)

(233,487)

(250,337)

(159,329)

(204,992)

(237,820)

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

(51,378)

(53,421)

(76,395)

(7,245)

(16,369)

^[1]

(13,760)

(2,208)

11,370

(459,082)

(501,353)

(569,551)

73,371

(71,197)

(168,392)

Other income /(expense)

25,993

7,963

30,701

7,369

6,103

16,036

Interest expense

(6,234)

(14,370)

(17,538)

Income /(loss) before income tax expense

(3,800)

1,430

3,301

96,699

(70,071)

(135,892)

Income tax benefit /(expense)

(133,226)

(28,428)

14,586

Net loss from continuing operations

(36,527)

(98,499)

(121,306)

Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations

(91,793)

55,108

53,947

Net loss

(128,320)

(43,391)

(67,359)

Sohu [Member]

(1,613)

(2,320)

(12,206)

Other income /(expense)

(1,083)

44,738

Income /(loss) before income tax expense

225

5,865

(79,905)

(141,449)

(238,626)

Income tax benefit /(expense)

(6,207)

(7,887)

78,544

Net loss

(86,112)

(149,336)

(160,082)

Operating Segments [Member] | Sohu [Member]

201,544

218,442

274,670

(122,362)

(148,258)

(218,184)

79,182

70,184

56,486

^[1]

(177)

(23)

707

79,005

70,161

57,193

(97,681)

(113,761)

(123,743)

(106,057)

(155,226)

(203,307)

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

(25,861)

(31,330)

(47,738)

(7,245)

^[1]

(1,759)

(1,023)

4,940

(231,358)

(308,585)

(369,848)

Operating Segments [Member] | Changyou [Member]

(152,353)

(238,424)

(312,655)

548,346

455,380

415,561

(94,362)

(95,268)

(71,626)

453,984

360,112

343,935

^[1]

(543)

(120)

453,441

359,992

343,966

(136,934)

(119,726)

(126,593)

(53,272)

(49,768)

(34,512)

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

(25,517)

(22,074)

(28,657)

(16,369)

^[1]

(12,001)

(1,185)

6,430

(227,724)

(192,753)

(199,701)

225,717

167,239

144,265

Eliminations [Member]

(19)

(56)

^[1]

(1)

(1)

Goodwill impairment and impairment of intangible assets acquired as part of business acquisitions

(17)

^[1]

(15)

(2)

$ 7

$ (12)

$ (2)

[1]	“SBC” stands for share-based compensation expense.

Segment Information (Segment Assets Information by Segment) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2020

Jan. 01, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

$ 217,057

$ 162,662

87,521

$ 122,698

126,081

337,674

337,682

^[1]

1,409,953

1,169,563

Sohu [Member]

Operating Segments [Member] | Sohu [Member]

586

3,756

$ 16,492

56,977

68,229

60,886

70,252

174,700

177,978

Operating Segments [Member] | Changyou [Member]

^[1]

1,632,736

1,721,801

160,080

94,433

26,635

55,829

162,976

159,713

^[1]

2,478,705

1,871,685

Eliminations [Member]

(2)

(9)

OTHER INCOME /(EXPENSE), NET [Abstract]

^[1]

$ (2,701,488)

$ (2,423,923)

[1]	The elimination for segment assets mainly consists of elimination of intra-Group loans between Sohu and Changyou, and elimination of long-term investments in subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.

Share-based Compensation Expense (Share-based Compensation Expense Recognized in Costs and Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Cost of revenues [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	720	142	(739)
Product development expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	7,325	1,364	(4,182)
Sales and marketing expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	460	(326)	(920)
General and administrative expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 5,975	$ 1,170	$ (6,267)

Share-based Compensation Expense (Share-based Compensation Expense Recognized for Share Awards of Sohu (excluding Sohu Video), Sogou, Changyou and Sohu Video) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 14,480,000	$ 2,350,000	$ (12,108,000)
Capitalized share-based compensation expense	0	0	0
Sohu (excluding Sohu Video) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	2,633,000	1,940,000	(5,100,000)
Changyou [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	12,545,000	1,305,000	(6,461,000)
Sohu Video [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ (698,000)	$ (895,000)	$ (547,000)

Advertising and Promotional Expenses, included in Sales and Marketing Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL EXPENSES, INCLUDED IN SALES AND MARKETING EXPENSES [Abstract]
Advertising and promotional expenses	$ 84.7	$ 124.6	$ 137.6

OTHER INCOME, NET (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Rental income from Sogou

^[1]

$ 9,793

$ 8,029

$ 8,392

Individual tax refund and additional deduction of PRC value-added tax

^[2]

6,169

907

Government grant

5,928

5,763

5,342

Gain from the changes in fair value of financial instruments

^[3]

4,303

11,113

17,999

Write-off of unpaid long-term accounts payable

Investment income/(expense)

3,004

(3,448)

Impairment loss on equity investments

$ (23,200)

(384)

^[4]

(23,154)

^[4]

Donations

(1,460)

(283)

Other Income and Expense [Line Items]

1,594

2,584

2,416

Total

$ 25,993

$ 7,963

$ 30,701

[1]	Sogou currently leases from Sohu, on an arms-length basis, office space at Sohu.com Internet Plaza under a lease that expires on December 31, 2022 and may be renewed subject to terms to be agreed to by Sohu and Sogou. Rental income consisted solely of the income from this lease. The cash receipts from this lease within operating activities for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $12.1 million, $8.4 million and $8.0 million, respectively.
[2]	The increase for 2020 compared to 2019 mainly consisted of an individual tax refund of $2.6 million and an additional deduction of PRC value-added tax of $2.1 million.
[3]	The decrease for 2020 compared to 2019 and the decrease for 2019 compared to 2018 were mainly due to a decrease in income earned from investments in financial instruments.
[4]	In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Sohu Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million for equity investments.

OTHER INCOME, NET (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Impairment loss

$ 23,200

$ 384

^[1]

$ 23,154

^[1]

$ 0

^[1]

Increase in tax return from individual tax and additional deduction of prc value added tax

2,600

2,100

Other Income and Expense [Line Items]

Cash proceeds from operating lease

$ 12,100

$ 8,400

$ 8,000

[1]	In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Sohu Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million for equity investments.

Balance Sheet Components Account and Financing Receivables, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable	$ 94,528		$ 130,037
Allowance for credit losses	(7,007)		(3,956)	$ (7,574)	$ (4,487)
Accounts receivable, net	$ 87,521	$ 122,698	$ 126,081

Balance Sheet Components Movement of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS [Abstract]

Beginning balance

$ 3,956

$ 7,574

$ 4,487

Changes on initial application of ASU 2016-13

^[1]

3,383

Additional allowance for credit losses, net of recoveries

2,419

4,724

5,449

Write-offs

(3,231)

(8,237)

(1,940)

Matching loan due from a related party

480

(105)

(422)

Ending balance

$ 7,007

$ 3,956

$ 7,574

[1]	The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The adjustments arising from the new CECL model are recognized in the opening Consolidated Balance Sheet on January 1, 2020.

Balance Sheet Components Other Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Prepaid and other current assets

$ 34,123

$ 33,329

Prepaid taxes

25,043

26,274

Prepaid content and license

11,029

12,964

Prepaid cost of revenue

10,120

7,175

Receivables from third party payment platforms

5,488

3,435

Interest receivable from bank deposits with original maturities of three months or less

3,875

1,012

Prepaid professional fees

2,365

610

Prepaid rental deposit

2,310

2,891

Prepaid office rent and facilities expenses

696

601

Employee advances

587

1,249

Prepaid and other current assets

10,954

7,991

106,590

97,531

Prepaid non-current assets

Prepaid PRC income tax for the sale of assets associated with 17173.com by Sohu to Changyou

1,006

1,882

Prepaid non-current assets

1,006

1,882

Other short-term liabilities

Matching loans due to a related party

34,123

33,536

Contingent liability related to Shanghai Jingmao liquidation

^[1]

23,900

Deposits related to Focus

21,936

19,101

Share-based awards in Changyou

13,292

Contract deposits from advertisers

3,036

3,060

Lease liabilities

$ 1,107

$ 2,510

Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]

us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent

Consideration payable for equity investment

$ 751

$ 740

Other short-term liabilities

8,026

8,218

106,171

91,065

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

Receipts in advance relating to brand advertising business

5,214

7,097

Receipts in advance relating to online game business

7,869

5,524

Receipts in advance relating to other business

6,029

6,490

Total receipts in advance

19,112

19,111

Deferred revenue

32,943

31,210

Receipts in advance and deferred revenue

$ 52,055

$ 50,321

[1]

The contingent liability represents the aggregate of estimated potential payments to third parties in connection with the liquidation of Shanghai Jingmao. The stated amount of the contingent liability reflects Changyou’s best estimate as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 pursuant to ASC 450-20. Changyou may revise this estimate in the future based on developments in PRC bankruptcy court proceedings regarding Shanghai Jingmao.

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2016	Apr. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest expense incurred				$ 588	$ 818	$ 519
Interest income earned				810	1,015	$ 1,051
Changyou [Member] \| Fox Financial Technology Group Limited [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expected credit loss				2,400
Loans payable to related parities				34,100	33,500
Loans receivable from related parities				34,100	33,300
Interest expense incurred				600	800
Interest income earned				$ 800	$ 1,000
Sohu [Member] \| Fox Financial Technology Group Limited [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment amount in period	$ 10,500	$ 16,100	$ 4,800

Fair Value Measurements (Financial Instruments, Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$ 173,655	$ 112,349
Restricted cash	330,791	3,290
Restricted time deposits	101,519	240
Short-term investments	100,745	321,483
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values	9,457	9,320
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted time deposits	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values	9,457	9,320
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	173,655	112,349
Restricted cash	330,791	3,290
Restricted time deposits	101,519	240
Short-term investments	100,745	321,483
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted time deposits	0	0
Short-term investments	0	0
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Restricted cash and Restricted Time Deposits, Narrative) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - Changyou [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest income from restricted time deposits	$ 0.1	$ 0.5
Interest expense on bank loans	0.1	$ 2.1
Deposit certificates pledged	212.0
Restricted Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit certificates pledged	110.0
Restricted Time Deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit certificates pledged	$ 102.0

Fair Value Measurements (Short-term Investments, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

^[1]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Investments in financial instruments

$ 321,483

$ 100,745

$ 321,483

Impairment loss

23,200

384

^[1]

23,154

^[1]

$ 0

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Investments in financial instruments

$ 321,500

100,700

321,500

Change in fair value of short-term investments

4,300

11,100

Impairment loss

$ 400

$ 23,200

[1]	In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Sohu Group recognized impairment losses of $23.2 million for equity investments.

Fair Value Measurements (Short-term Receivables and Payables, Narrative) (Details) - Sohu [Member] - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] ¥ in Millions		1 Months Ended								2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 CNY (¥)	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018 CNY (¥)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 CNY (¥)	May 31, 2017 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 CNY (¥)	May 31, 2019 USD ($)	May 31, 2019 CNY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 CNY (¥)	May 31, 2017 CNY (¥)
Changyou Merger [Member] \| PRC Loan [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loan received from bank												$ 215,600,000
Factoring contract with recourse with HSBC [Member] \| HSBC [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans may borrow from bank								$ 26,200,000	¥ 180.0
Accounts receivable to secure short-term bank loan								$ 28,800,000							¥ 198.0
Total outstanding balance of bank loan												0	$ 0
Credit agreement with ICBC [Member] \| ICBC [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans may borrow from bank						$ 116,600,000	¥ 800.0
Additional interest rate over LPR						1.20%	1.20%
Installments of bank loan payable						four equal installments, with the first installment payable 18 months after the drawdown and the other three installments payable semi-annually at the end of each of the three successive six-month periods after the first installment payment.	four equal installments, with the first installment payable 18 months after the drawdown and the other three installments payable semi-annually at the end of each of the three successive six-month periods after the first installment payment.
Total outstanding balance of bank loan												0	57,300,000	¥ 400.0
Credit agreement with CMB [Member] \| CMB [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Loans may borrow from bank				$ 102,000,000.0	¥ 700.0
Loan received from bank		$ 43,700,000	¥ 300.0	$ 58,300,000	¥ 400.0					$ 59,300,000	¥ 399.0
Short-term loan, interest rate		6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%					5.10%	5.10%
Installments of bank loan payable		The first installment of RMB45 million (or $6.7 million) was paid in December 2018; the second and third installments of RMB90 million (or $13.1 million) in the aggregate were paid early in June 2019; and the fourth installment of RMB165 million (or $23.3million) was paid early in July 2019.	The first installment of RMB45 million (or $6.7 million) was paid in December 2018; the second and third installments of RMB90 million (or $13.1 million) in the aggregate were paid early in June 2019; and the fourth installment of RMB165 million (or $23.3million) was paid early in July 2019.
Total outstanding balance of bank loan												$ 0	$ 57,200,000	¥ 399.0
Credit agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Tokyo Branch ("ICBC Tokyo") \| Changyou Merger [Member] \| ICBC Tokyo [Member] \| Sohu Game [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Proportion of mortgaged outstanding of Changyou	97.90%
Bearing interest of term facility	Three Month LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75%
Deposit certificates pledged	$ 192,000,000
Exchange rate of deposit equivalent	0.1389
Credit agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Tokyo Branch ("ICBC Tokyo") \| Maximum [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member] \| ICBC Tokyo [Member] \| Sohu Game [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term Loan	$ 250,000,000
Credit agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Tokyo Branch ("ICBC Tokyo") \| Maximum [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member] \| ICBC Tokyo [Member] \| One-Year Facility [Member] \| Sohu Game [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term Loan	100,000,000
Credit agreement with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Tokyo Branch ("ICBC Tokyo") \| Maximum [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member] \| ICBC Tokyo [Member] \| Four-Year Facility [Member] \| Sohu Game [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Term Loan	$ 150,000,000

Fair Value Measurements (Long-term Payables, Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020 $ / shares
Changyou Class A Ordinary Share [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long term Debt include Accrued over the Service Period Liability	$ 5.39

Fair Value Measurements (Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	$ 2,585	$ 3,115
Intangible assets, net	4,842	9,922
Goodwill	48,434	47,390
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Purchased video content recorded in prepaid and other assets	2,585	3,115
Intangible assets, net	4,842	9,922
Goodwill	$ 48,434	$ 47,390

Lease (Component of Operating Lease Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
LEASES [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 3,985	$ 4,858
Short-term lease expense	297	244
Total operating lease expense	$ 4,282	$ 5,102

Lease (Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases, Cash Paid for Amounts Included in Measurement of Lease Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
LEASES [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 3,206	$ 5,013

Leases (Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases, Right-of-use Assets Obtained in Exchange for Lease Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
LEASES [Abstract]
Operating leases	$ 5,351	$ 134

Lease (Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Operating Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
LEASES [Abstract]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 4,998	$ 3,323
Liabilities:
Current lease liabilities	$ 1,107	$ 2,510
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityCurrent
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 3,855	$ 83
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiabilityNoncurrent
Total present value of lease liabilities	$ 4,962	$ 2,593
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability

Lease (Maturities of Lease Liabilities under Operating Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
LEASES [Abstract]
2021	$ 1,957
2022	1,785
2023	1,421
2024	191
2025	95
Thereafter	0
Total future lease payments	5,449
Less: imputed interest	(487)
Total present value of lease liabilities	$ 4,962	$ 2,593
Operating Lease, Liability, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability	us-gaap:OperatingLeaseLiability
Weighted average remaining lease term	3 years
Weighted average discount rate	5.70%
Operating lease liability	$ 1,900

Fixed Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Fixed Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	$ 571,285	$ 544,236
Accumulated depreciation	(233,611)	(206,554)
Fixed assets, net	337,674	337,682
Depreciation expenses for fixed assets	25,466	28,225	$ 32,109
Office buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	392,045	366,686
Computer equipment and hardware [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	132,021	133,451
Leasehold and building improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	36,649	34,251
Office furniture [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	6,841	6,609
Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Fixed assets, gross	$ 3,729	$ 3,239

Goodwill (Carrying Value of Goodwill by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance	$ (202,532)	$ (202,532)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	249,922	250,170
Goodwill, Net, Beginning Balance	47,390	47,638
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,044	(248)
Impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	250,966	249,922
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending balance	(202,532)	(202,532)
Goodwill, Net, Ending balance	48,434	47,390
Operating Segments [Member] \| Sohu [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance	(32,246)	(32,246)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	69,379	69,627
Goodwill, Net, Beginning Balance	37,133	37,381
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,044	(248)
Impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	70,423	69,379
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending balance	(32,246)	(32,246)
Goodwill, Net, Ending balance	38,177	37,133
Operating Segments [Member] \| Changyou [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning Balance	(170,286)	(170,286)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	180,543	180,543
Goodwill, Net, Beginning Balance	10,257	10,257
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0
Impairment losses	0	0
Goodwill, Ending balance	180,543	180,543
Accumulated impairment losses, Ending balance	(170,286)	(170,286)
Goodwill, Net, Ending balance	$ 10,257	$ 10,257

Intangible Assets, Net (Finite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 315,767	$ 315,349
Accumulated Amortization	(219,849)	(231,779)
Impairment	(91,076)	(73,648)
Net Carrying Amount	4,842	9,922
Purchased Video content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	212,999	217,610
Accumulated Amortization	(161,160)	(179,167)
Impairment	(50,088)	(35,940)
Net Carrying Amount	1,751	2,503
Operating rights for licensed games [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	51,856	47,227
Accumulated Amortization	(35,017)	(27,992)
Impairment	(14,026)	(12,365)
Net Carrying Amount	2,813	6,870
Domain names and trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	27,536	26,301
Accumulated Amortization	(10,243)	(9,896)
Impairment	(17,219)	(16,176)
Net Carrying Amount	74	229
Computer software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	11,749	13,273
Accumulated Amortization	(11,545)	(12,953)
Impairment	0	0
Net Carrying Amount	204	320
Developed technologies [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	8,699	8,200
Accumulated Amortization	(918)	(868)
Impairment	(7,781)	(7,332)
Net Carrying Amount	0	0
Others [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,928	2,738
Accumulated Amortization	(966)	(903)
Impairment	(1,962)	(1,835)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 0	$ 0

Intangible Assets, Net (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 14.4	$ 38.8	$ 58.1
Sohu [Member] \| Sohu Video's intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total losses for impairment	1.5	4.0	10.4
Intangible assets impairment losses			9.8
Prepaid and other current assets impairment losses			$ 0.6
Sohu [Member] \| 56.com Website's intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total losses for impairment		$ 7.2
Changyou [Member] \| Content and game licenses intangible assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total losses for impairment	2.7
Intangible assets impairment losses	0.8
Prepaid and other current assets impairment losses	$ 1.9

Intangible Assets, Net (Estimated Amortization Expenses for Future Periods) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET [Abstract]
2021	$ 3,346
2022	1,177
2023	279
2024	40
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total expected amortization expense	$ 4,842	$ 9,922

Taxation (PRC Corporate Income Tax) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Taxation (PRC Corporate Income Tax) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate	25.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
Preferential income tax rate period (years)	3 years
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sohu New Momentum [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sohu Internet [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Video Tianjin [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sohu Media [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Gamespace [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Changyou Chuangxiang [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Gamease [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| AmazGame [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sogou Network [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sogou Information [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| High and New Technology Enterprises [Member] \| Sogou Technology [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	15.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Software Enterprise [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	12.50%
Preferential income tax rate period (years)	3 years
Income tax exemption period beginning with first profitable year	2 years
Tax rate reduction rate	50.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Key National Software Enterprise [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	10.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Key National Software Enterprise [Member] \| Changyou Chuangxiang [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	10.00%
State Administration of Taxation, China [Member] \| Key National Software Enterprise [Member] \| AmazGame [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Preferential income tax rate	10.00%

Taxation (U.S. Corporate Income Tax) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Taxation (U.S. Corporate Income Tax) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
Prior tax years [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate				35.00%
Thereafter tax years [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate			21.00%

Taxation (Treatment of Toll Charge Related to the U.S. TCJA) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Provisional amount of income tax expense recognized for the Toll Charge	$ 219
Reduction in liability for deferred income tax	4
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded		$ 142
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit		2	$ 6	$ 8
United States
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Provisional amount of income tax expense recognized for the Toll Charge	219
Reduction in liability for deferred income tax	$ 4
Recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefit		77
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded		$ 142
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit			$ 6	$ 8

Taxation (Hong Kong Tax) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Taxation (Hong Kong Tax) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate	25.00%	25.00%	25.00%
Inland Revenue, Hong Kong [Member]
Income Tax and Tax Rate [Line Items]
Statutory income tax rate	16.50%	16.50%	16.50%

Taxation (Components of Income before Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income /(loss) before income tax expense
Income /(loss) from China operations	$ 154,514	$ (89,150)	$ (76,585)
Income /(loss) from non-China operations	(57,815)	19,079	(59,307)
Total income /(loss) before income tax expense	96,699	(70,071)	(135,892)
Income tax expense applicable to China operations
Current tax	24,255	9,026	14,578
Deferred tax	102,652	11,191	48,907
Subtotal income tax expense applicable to China operations	126,907	20,217	63,485
Non China income tax expense/(benefit)	6,207	7,887	(78,540)
Non China withholding tax expense	112	324	469
Total income tax expense	133,226	28,428	(14,586)
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded			142,000
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit	6,000	8,000	2,000
CHINA
Income tax expense applicable to China operations
Total income tax expense	126,900	20,200
Accrued Income Taxes	40,700	32,600
Reversal of Accrued Income Taxes	6,900	19,500
Additional income tax withholded in disribution of cash dividends	88,000
United States
Income tax expense applicable to China operations
Non China income tax expense/(benefit)		8,000
Recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefit			77,000
Unrecognized tax benefit recorded			$ 142,000
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit	$ 6,000	$ 8,000

Taxation (Tax Holiday Effect) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
TAXATION [Abstract]
Tax holiday effect	$ 16,174	$ 7,981	$ 23,271
Basic net income per share effect	$ 0.41	$ 0.20	$ 0.60

Taxation (Effective Tax Rate) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

Dec. 31, 2017

Apr. 05, 2018

Taxation [Line Items]

Statutory Rate:

25.00%

Effect of tax holidays applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs

^[1]

(17.00%)

11.00%

17.00%

Tax differential from statutory rate applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs

9.00%

7.00%

(1.00%)

Effect of withholding taxes

^[2]

109.00%

(12.00%)

(39.00%)

Changes in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

27.00%

(71.00%)

(29.00%)

Research and development super-deduction

(9.00%)

12.00%

4.00%

Additional withholding income taxes

(13.00%)

(1.00%)

(24.00%)

Effective Tax Rate

131.00%

(29.00%)

(47.00%)

$ 88.0

$ 47.0

Special cash dividend

$ 500.0

Thereafter tax years [Member]

Taxation [Line Items]

Statutory Rate:

21.00%

Prior tax years [Member]

Taxation [Line Items]

Statutory Rate:

35.00%

[1]

The reversal of income tax for preferential income tax rates that Changyou’s subsidiaries and VIEs were entitled to as KNSEs or Software Enterprises for 2018, 2019 and 2020 was included in the “Effect of tax holidays applicable to subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs” in the above table.

[2]

The effective tax rate for 2018 was mainly due to additional income withholding tax of $47 million that was recognized in the first quarter of 2018 due to a revised policy for Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries with respect to their distribution of cash dividends. The revised policy was adopted to facilitate the distribution of a special cash dividend in the aggregate amount of approximately $500.0 million that was declared by Changyou’s Board of Directors on April 5, 2018. The change for 2020 was mainly due to additional income withholding tax of $88 million that was recognized in the second quarter of 2020 due to a revised policy with respect to Changyou’s PRC subsidiaries regarding their distribution of cash dividends.

Taxation (PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Apr. 05, 2018
Withholding tax on dividends [Line Items]
Withholding income tax rate on dividends, foreign invested enterprises to foreign holding companies			10.00%
Special cash dividend					$ 500,000
Additional withholding income taxes	$ 88,000	$ 47,000
Deferred tax liabilities related to withholding tax			$ 206,594	$ 86,834
Total amount of undistributed profits			783,800
Unrecognized tax liabilities			78,400
Changyou [Member]
Withholding tax on dividends [Line Items]
Deferred tax liabilities related to withholding tax			$ 206,600	$ 86,800
HONG KONG
Withholding tax on dividends [Line Items]
Preferential withholding tax rate on dividends, foreign invested enterprises			5.00%

Taxation (PRC Value-Added Tax) (Details) - State Administration of Taxation, China [Member]	4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020
Minimum [Member]
Value added tax [Line Items]
Value-added tax rate	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Maximum [Member]
Value added tax [Line Items]
Value-added tax rate	17.00%	13.00%	16.00%	13.00%

Taxation (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, Significant Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss from operations	$ 325,797	$ 277,478
Accrued bonus and commissions	10,613	8,539
Intangible assets transfer	690	916
Others	8,692	10,947
Total deferred tax assets	345,792	297,880
Less: Valuation allowance	(326,755)	(283,711)	$ (250,524)	$ (233,910)
Net deferred tax assets	19,037	14,169
Deferred tax liabilities
Withholding tax for dividend	(206,594)	(86,834)
Others	(10,999)	(9,070)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ (217,593)	$ (95,904)

Taxation (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities, Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
TAXATION [Abstract]
Net operating losses from PRC entities available to offset against future net profit for income tax purposes	$ 1,560.0
Deferred tax assets generated from net operating losses offset by valuation allowance	318.5
PRC net operating losses generated from previous years, expired	$ 13.8

Taxation (Movement of Valuation Allowance for Net Deferred Tax Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
TAXATION [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 283,711	$ 250,524	$ 233,910
Provision for the year	36,363	44,634	34,496
Reversal for the year	(12,637)	(7,311)	(6,891)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	19,318	(4,136)	(10,991)
Ending balance	$ 326,755	$ 283,711	$ 250,524

Taxation (Uncertain Tax Positions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
TAXATION [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 181,640	$ 174,363	$ 31,138
Increases /(decreases) related to prior year tax positions	7,120	7,277	(1,190)
Increases related to current year tax positions	0	0	144,415
Ending balance	188,760	181,640	174,363
Interest in connection with unrecognized tax benefit	$ 6,000	$ 8,000	$ 2,000

Commitments and Contingencies (Contractual Obligation) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	$ 65,905
2022	14,391
2023	2,620
2024	701
2025	37
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	83,654
Royalties and expenditures for licensed content of games [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	28,423
2022	7,870
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	36,293
Purchase of bandwidth [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	14,084
2022	150
2023	102
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	14,336
Interest payment commitment [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	6,623
2022	1,458
2023	1,334
2024	628
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	10,043
Operating lease obligations [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	4,144
2022	3,647
2023	1,165
2024	73
2025	37
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	9,066
Purchase of content and services — others [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	6,715
2022	236
2023	19
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	6,970
Purchase of content and services — video [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	5,398
2022	1,006
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	6,404
Others [Member]
Contractual Obligation [Line Items]
2021	518
2022	24
2023	0
2024	0
2025	0
Thereafter	0
Total Payments Required	$ 542

VIEs (VIEs Consolidated within Sohu Group, Basic Information for Principal VIEs) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Aggregate amount of loans due from related parties	$ 7.6
VIEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Registered capital and PRC statutory reserves	$ 103.9
High Century [Member] \| Dr. Charles Zhang [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	80.00%
High Century [Member] \| Wei Li [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	20.00%
Heng Da Yi Tong [Member] \| Dr. Charles Zhang [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	80.00%
Heng Da Yi Tong [Member] \| Wei Li [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	20.00%
Sohu Internet [Member] \| High Century [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Donglin [Member] \| Sohu Internet [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Tianjin Jinhu [Member] \| Xiufeng Deng [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%
Tianjin Jinhu [Member] \| Xuemei Zhang [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%
Focus Interactive [Member] \| Heng Da Yi Tong [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Gamease [Member] \| High Century [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Shanghai ICE [Member] \| Gamease [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Guanyou Gamespace [Member] \| Changyou Star [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%
Sogou Information [Member] \| High Century [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	45.00%
Sogou Information [Member] \| Xiaochuan Wang [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10.00%
Sogou Information [Member] \| Tencent [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	45.00%
Chengdu Easypay [Member] \| Sogou Information [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	100.00%

VIEs (VIEs Consolidated within Sohu Group, Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2020
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 217,057	$ 162,662
Restricted cash	330,791	3,290
Accounts receivable, net	87,521	126,081		$ 122,698
Prepaid and other current assets	106,590	97,531
Short-term investments	100,745	321,483
Assets held for sale (current)	1,412,168	1,304,621
Total current assets	2,254,872	2,015,668
Long-term investments, net	31,634	30,987
Fixed assets, net	337,674	337,682
Intangible assets, net	4,842	9,922
Goodwill	48,434	47,390	$ 47,638
Other non-current assets	42,140	30,413
Assets held for sale (non-current)	0	217,680
Total assets	2,822,121	2,691,864		$ 2,685,208
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	107,611	121,318
Accrued liabilities	157,513	157,861
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue	52,055	50,321
Liabilities held for sale (current)	416,998	453,111
Total current liabilities	1,284,730	1,100,867
Long-term tax liabilities	188,760	181,640
Deferred tax liabilities	217,593	95,904
Other long-term liabilities	3,855	83
Liabilities held for sale (non-current)	0	5,686
Total liabilities	1,790,140	1,384,947
Net revenue	749,890	673,803	690,175
Net income from continuing operations	(36,527)	(98,499)	(121,306)
Net loss from discontinued operations	(91,793)	55,108	53,947
Net cash provided by /(used in) continuing operating activities	163,394	(18,267)	(52,143)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities	(68,187)	228,857	136,168
Net cash provided by /(used in) operating activities	95,207	210,590	84,025
Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities	184,393	(214,814)	180,146
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities	235,374	(228,406)	(639,390)
Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities	419,767	(443,220)	(459,244)
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities	101,795	(479,748)	96,333
Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities	(8,209)	(33,415)	1
Net cash provided by financing activities	93,586	(513,163)	96,334
Variable Interest Entity Primary Beneficiary [Member]
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	47,028	40,535
Restricted cash	1,211	1,132
Accounts receivable, net	47,234	67,403
Prepaid and other current assets	15,385	13,586
Short-term investments	153	0
Intra-Group receivables due from the Company's subsidiaries	506,659	400,338
Assets held for sale (current)	113,011	121,347
Total current assets	730,681	644,341
Long-term investments, net	17,307	17,488
Fixed assets, net	295	639
Intangible assets, net	3,173	6,832
Goodwill	33,670	32,782
Other non-current assets	15,134	14,754
Assets held for sale (non-current)	0	32,244
Total assets	800,260	749,080
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	11,145	8,595
Accrued liabilities	46,888	50,913
Receipts in advance and deferred revenue	43,076	38,754
Other current liabilities	37,148	31,684
Intra-Group payables due to the Company's subsidiaries	332,794	300,601
Liabilities held for sale (current)	187,712	138,303
Total current liabilities	658,763	568,850
Long-term tax liabilities	14,134	13,220
Deferred tax liabilities	2,014	1,998
Intra-Group payables due to the Company's subsidiaries	19,338	18,599
Other long-term liabilities	286	0
Liabilities held for sale (non-current)	0	1,130
Total liabilities	694,535	603,797
Net revenue	583,187	511,957	499,861
Net income from continuing operations	41,756	19,607	1,098
Net loss from discontinued operations	(82,329)	(1,491)	(19,534)
Net cash provided by /(used in) continuing operating activities	5,224	(2,038)	18,268
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued operating activities	(13,244)	(5,046)	51,657
Net cash provided by /(used in) operating activities	(8,020)	(7,084)	69,925
Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities	47	(441)	(1,110)
Net cash provided by/(used in) discontinued investing activities	7,797	(18,040)	(48,161)
Net cash provided by /(used in) investing activities	7,844	(18,481)	(49,271)
Net cash provided by continuing financing activities	0	0	650
Net cash provided by discontinued financing activities	152	8,601	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	$ 152	$ 8,601	$ 650

VIEs (VIEs Consolidated within Sohu Group, Summary of Significant Agreements Currently in Effect) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Shareholders of Gamease [Member] \| AmazGame [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Power of attorney term	10 years
Percentage of exchange equity interests due to contributions to registered capital of equity	100.00%
Shareholders of Guanyou Gamespace [Member] \| Gamespace [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Power of attorney term	10 years
Percentage of exchange equity interests due to contributions to registered capital of equity	100.00%
Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd ("Tianjin Jinhu") [Member] \| Video Tianjin [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement term	10 years
Tianjin Jinhu Culture Development Co., Ltd ("Tianjin Jinhu") [Member] \| Shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu [Member] \| Video Tianjin [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Business operation agreement term	10 years
VIEs [Member] \| Shareholders of Tianjin Jinhu [Member] \| Video Tianjin [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Power of attorney term	10 years
VIEs [Member] \| Shareholders of Sogou Information [Member] \| Sogou Technology [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Power of attorney term	10 years
Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd.("Sogou Information") [Member] \| Sogou Technology [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement term	10 years
Beijing Sogou Information Service Co., Ltd.("Sogou Information") [Member] \| Shareholders of Sogou Information [Member] \| Sogou Technology [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Business operation agreement term	10 years
Beijing Gamease Age Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Gamease") [Member] \| Shareholders of Gamease [Member] \| AmazGame [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Business operation agreement term	10 years
Beijing Guanyou Gamespace Digital Technology Co., Ltd. ("Guanyou Gamespace") [Member] \| Shareholders of Guanyou Gamespace [Member] \| Gamespace [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Business operation agreement term	10 years
Beijing Sohu Internet Information Service Co., Ltd. ("Sohu Internet") [Member] \| Sohu Era [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Exclusive technology consulting and service agreement term	2 years

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Summary of Sohu.com Limited's Outstanding Shares) (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	39,269
Balance, end of year	39,306	39,269
Sohu.com Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of year	39,269	39,229	38,898
Issuance:	37	40	331
Balance, end of year	39,306	39,269	39,229

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu's 2018 Share Incentive Plan, Narrative) (Details) - Sohu.com Limited [Member] - shares		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2020	Apr. 02, 2018
Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of share rights granted under share incentive plan	10 years
Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Stock [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance	1,500,000
Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan expiration date		Apr. 30, 2028
Shares available for grant		208,280
Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Common Stock [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance			1,148,565

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu's 2018 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Activity, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	May 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 14,480,000	$ 2,350,000	$ (12,108,000)
Sohu.com Limited [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 0	395,000	(1,916,000)
Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Sohu 2010 Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options							6,000	32,000	13,000	1,068,000
Exercise prices of option granted							$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	four equal installments
Award vesting period	4 years
Number of options granted in period	112,000
Total fair value of stock options granted	$ 26,400,000
Share-based compensation expense	2,600,000	1,900,000	(5,100,000)
Total fair values of share options vested	1,000,000.0	2,500,000	5,000,000.0
Total intrinsic value of share options exercised	$ 700,000	$ 600,000	$ 6,200,000
Sohu.com Limited [Member] \| Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Stock Options [Member] \| Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options				34,000	477,500	20,000
Exercise prices of option granted				$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Number of options granted in period	815,425,000

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu's 2018 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Activity) (Details) - Sohu.com Limited [Member] - Sohu 2018 Share Incentive Plan [Member] - Share Options [Member]
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

USD ($)

$ / shares

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance | shares

128

Number of Shares, Granted | shares

112

Number of Shares, Exercised | shares

(43)

Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired | shares

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance | shares

197

Number of Shares, Vested, Ending balance | shares

197

Number of Shares, Exercisable, Ending balance | shares

197

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance | $ / shares

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted | $ / shares

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised | $ / shares

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance | $ / shares

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested, Ending balance | $ / shares

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, Ending balance | $ / shares

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Ending balance

6 years 1 month 2 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested, Ending balance

6 years 1 month 2 days

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance | $

$ 3,147

^[1]

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable, Ending balance

6 years 1 month 2 days

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested, Ending balance | $

$ 3,147

^[1]

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, Ending balance | $

$ 3,147

^[1]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Closing price | $ / shares

$ 15.94

[1]	The aggregated intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between Sohu’s closing ADS price of $15.94 on December 31, 2020 and the nominal exercise price of the options.

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 17, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Aug. 26, 2019	Jul. 28, 2016	Jun. 01, 2015	Feb. 16, 2015	Nov. 02, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares, Granted		3,732,750
Share-based compensation expense		$ 4,200
Total fair values of share options vested		4,200	1,000	5,700
Total intrinsic value of share options exercised		$ 100	6,600	14,900
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Award vesting period		4 years
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Per Share Fixed Price	$ 5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise Price of Shares	0.01
Accrued fixed price, final	5.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award Options Not Exercisable in Period Conditionally Repurchased Price	5.39
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Per Share Fixed Price	5.39
Consideration Per Share	5.40
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Per Share Fixed Price	5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 7,700	$ (1,900)	$ (6,500)
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for future issuance									6,000,000	2,000,000
Plan expiration date		Jun. 30, 2024
Number of shares under contractually granted share options					3,023,000	100,000	1,998,000
Exercise Price of Shares	$ 0.01				$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Award vesting period		4 years
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of share rights granted under share incentive plan			10 years
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member] \| Class A restricted share units [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options									2,416,000
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2014 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member] \| Class A restricted share units [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Class A restricted share units converted to options								2,400,000

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 17, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Aug. 26, 2019	Aug. 03, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of options granted in period		477,250
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Toal share based compensation expense		$ 4,800	$ 3,200
Total value of share options vested		$ 2,600
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A ordinary shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation by share based payment arrangement options excercised exercise price per share	$ 5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Award vesting period		4 years
Share-based compensation expense		$ 2,600
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Class A ordinary shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for issuance						3,000,000
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Class A ordinary shares [Member] \| Changyou Merger [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award Options Not Exercisable in Period Conditionally Repurchased Price	5.39
Accrued fixed price, initial	5.39
Accrued fixed price, final	$ 5.39
Changyou [Member] \| Changyou 2019 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Class A ordinary shares [Member] \| Certain members of management and certain other employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options					1,909,000
Exercise Price of Shares					$ 0.01

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Aug. 22, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	7,400	13,500	12,500
Unrecognized compensation expenses	$ 800
Unrecognized compensation expenses, weighted average period for recognition (in years)	1 year 4 months 13 days
Total intrinsic value of share options exercised	$ 23,100	$ 1,600	$ 33,200
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Performance-based options [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	four equal installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Performance-based options [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	two to four installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Service-based options [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	four equal installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Service-based options [Member] \| Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	two to four installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| IPO-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted	five equal installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance				41,500,000
Plan expiration date	Oct. 19, 2020
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of share rights granted under share incentive plan	10 years

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan, Summary of Categories of Share Options) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 shares
Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	40,050
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	38,307
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	35,981
Number of shares under exercised share options	34,411
Performance-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	30,912
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	29,169
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	28,761
Number of shares under exercised share options	27,772
Service-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	1,888
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	1,888
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	1,410
Number of shares under exercised share options	829
IPO-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	7,250
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	7,250
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	5,810
Number of shares under exercised share options	5,810

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Activity) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] - Share Options [Member] - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance

7,162

Number of Shares, Granted

1,099

Number of Shares, Exercised

(4,233)

Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired

(132)

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance

3,896

7,162

Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

3,395

Number of Shares, Exercisable, Ending balance

1,570

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance

$ 0.377

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised

0.426

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance

0.232

$ 0.377

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

0.266

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, Ending balance

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Beginning balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

4 years 5 months 12 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Ending balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

4 years 5 months 12 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

4 years 5 months 15 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable, Ending balance

5 years 9 months 7 days

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 30,850

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

^[1]

26,767

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 12,794

$ 8.15

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]

$ 8.15

[1]	The aggregate intrinsic values in the preceding table represent the difference between Sogou’s closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Sogou Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the share options.

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Assumptions) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Share Options [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 shares $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 shares $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018 shares $ / shares
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple		3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	12.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple			2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	0.00%		12.00%
Weighted average expected option life	4 years	7 years	9 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average fair value of share options \| $ / shares	$ 4.48	$ 4.05	$ 12.26
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average risk-free interest rate	1.21%	2.60%	3.36%
Exercise multiple	2	2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility rate	38.00%	36.00%	40.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average risk-free interest rate	1.66%	2.86%	3.51%
Exercise multiple	3	3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)		12.00%
Volatility rate	44.00%	41.00%	46.00%

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Assumptions, Narrative) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Share Options [Member] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	2
Estimated forfeiture rate	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple		3
Estimated forfeiture rate	12.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple			2
Estimated forfeiture rate	0.00%		12.00%
Estimated dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	2	2
Estimated forfeiture rate	0.00%	0.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	3	3
Estimated forfeiture rate		12.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Management [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	3
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Management [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Estimated forfeiture rate	0.00%
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Key employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	2
Estimated forfeiture rate	12.00%

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards, Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		1,600	$ 2,400	$ 1,600
Unrecognized compensation expenses		$ 1,500
Unrecognized compensation expenses, weighted average period for recognition (in years)		1 year 8 months 26 days
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Performance-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Service-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares for issuance	28,000,000
Sogou [Member] \| Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of share incentive award granted under share incentive plan	10 years

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards, Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan, Summary of Categories of Share Options) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 shares
Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	1,186
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	1,049
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	368
Number of shares under exercised share options	190
Performance-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	192
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	55
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	44
Number of shares under exercised share options	17
Service-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	994
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	994
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	324
Number of shares under exercised share options	173

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards, Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Activity) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance

798

Number of Shares, Granted

425

Number of Shares, Exercised

(142)

Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired

(222)

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance

859

798

Number of Shares, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

680

Number of Shares, Exercisable, Ending balance

178

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeited or expired

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance

0.001

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, Ending balance

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Beginning balance

8 years 6 months 3 days

8 years 10 months 24 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Ending balance

8 years 6 months 3 days

8 years 10 months 24 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

8 years 5 months 15 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable, Ending balance

7 years 11 months 12 days

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 7,000

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested and expected to vest thereafter, Ending balance

^[1]

5,541

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 1,451

$ 8.15

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]

$ 8.15

[1]	The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the difference between the closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the share options.

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards, Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan, Share Option Assumptions) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Share Options [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 shares $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 shares $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2018 shares $ / shares
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple	2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple		3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	12.00%
Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise multiple			2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)			12.00%
Weighted average expected option life	9 years	10 years	10 years
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Weighted average fair value of share options \| $ / shares	$ 4.95	$ 4.87	$ 10.09
Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average risk-free interest rate	1.20%	2.37%	3.41%
Exercise multiple	2	2
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	0.00%	0.00%
Volatility rate	39.00%	41.00%	40.00%
Sogou 2017 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average risk-free interest rate	2.47%	3.45%	3.95%
Exercise multiple	3	3
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	12.00%	12.00%
Volatility rate	42.00%	42.00%	46.00%

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 14, 2011	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 01, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 14,480,000	$ 2,350,000	$ (12,108,000)
Sogou [Member] \| Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options		8,305,000
Sogou [Member] \| Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Sogou's ordinary shares previously held by Sohu					8,800,000
Sogou's newly-issued shares	3,200,000
Sogou's newly-issued shares, price per share	$ 0.625
Sogou's newly-issued shares, value	$ 2,000,000.0
Number of shares under contractually granted share options		8,305,000
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Share-based compensation expense		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Sogou [Member] \| Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fixed exercise price of ordinary share					$ 0.001
Sogou [Member] \| Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fixed exercise price of ordinary share					$ 0.625
Sogou [Member] \| Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance		12,000,000

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement, Summary of Categories of Share Options) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member]	Dec. 31, 2020 shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	8,305,000
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	8,305,000
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	8,305,000
Number of shares under exercised share options	8,296,000
Performance-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	8,290,000
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	8,290,000
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	8,290,000
Number of shares under exercised share options	8,290,000
Service-based options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	15,000
Number of shares under granted share options for purposes of share-based compensation expense	15,000
Number of shares under vested and exercisable share options	15,000
Number of shares under exercised share options	6,000

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement, Share Option Activity) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] - Share Options [Member] - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Dec. 31, 2019

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance

Number of Shares, Granted

Number of Shares, Exercised

Number of Shares, Forfeited or expired

Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance

Number of Shares, Vested, Ending balance

Number of Shares, Exercisable, Ending balance

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance

0.001

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested, Ending balance

0.001

Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable, Ending balance

$ 0.001

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Beginning balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

5 years 4 months 17 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Outstanding, Ending balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

5 years 4 months 17 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Vested, Ending balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years), Exercisable, Ending balance

4 years 4 months 17 days

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 73

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Vested, Ending balance

^[1]

Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable, Ending balance

^[1]

$ 73

$ 8.15

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

$ 8.15

[1]	The aggregate intrinsic values in the preceding table represent the difference between the closing price of $8.15 per Sogou ADS (each representing one Class A Ordinary Share) on December 31, 2020 and the exercise prices of the options.

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sogou Inc. Share-based Awards, Option Modification) (Details) - Sogou [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2020
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options				40,050,000
Number of Class A ordinary shares deemed granted under share options				38,307,000
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Early Exercise of Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued upon the early exercise of options granted				1,899,000
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Vesting Condition Change of Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options	2,181,192
Number of Class A ordinary shares not deemed granted under share options	1,601,427
Number of Class A ordinary shares deemed granted under share options	579,765
Sogou 2010 Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental fair value		$ 0	$ 0
Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options				8,305,000
Number of Class A ordinary shares deemed granted under share options				8,305,000
Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Class A Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options				8,305,000
Sohu Management Sogou Share Option Arrangement [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Incremental fair value	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu Video Share-based Awards, Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 04, 2012	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense		$ 14,480	$ 2,350	$ (12,108)
Sohu Video [Member] \| Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan expiration date		Jan. 03, 2022
Sohu Video [Member] \| Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares reserved for future issuance	25,000,000
Sohu Video [Member] \| Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares under contractually granted share options		16,368,200
Installments of share options granted		four equal installments
Number of shares purchased on vested options			4,972,800
Share-based compensation expense		$ (700)	$ (900)	$ (500)
Sohu Video [Member] \| Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member] \| Ordinary Shares [Member] \| Share Options [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum term of share rights granted under share incentive plan	10 years

Sohu.com Limited Shareholders' Equity (Sohu Video Share-based Awards, Share Option Assumptions) (Details) - Sohu Video [Member] - Sohu Video Share Incentive Plan [Member] - Share Options [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 shares $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019 shares $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Average risk-free interest rate	1.11%	2.44%
Exercise multiple \| shares	2.8	2.8
Expected forfeiture rate (post-vesting)	5.00%	14.00%
Weighted average expected option life	1 year	2 years
Volatility rate	57.30%	53.90%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Fair value \| $ / shares	$ 0.21	$ 0.35

Noncontrolling Interest (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 17, 2020
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	$ 684,612	$ 878,463
Net income /(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	(42,208)	105,945	$ 92,723
Changyou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	$ 1,321	$ 151,503
Percentage of noncontrolling interest recognized in consolidated balance sheets	0.00%	33.00%
Percentage of ordinary shares held				100.00%
Net income /(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	$ 18,448	$ 46,990	$ 27,137
Percentage of net income /(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest recognized in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	0.00%	33.00%	33.00%
Sogou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	$ 683,291	$ 726,960
Percentage of noncontrolling interest recognized in consolidated balance sheets	66.00%	66.00%
Net income /(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	$ (60,656)	$ 58,955	$ 65,586

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which is directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (that is, noncontrolling interest, previously referred to as minority interest).

Noncontrolling Interest (Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	$ 684,612	$ 878,463
Changyou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	1,321	151,503
Sogou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest in consolidated balance sheets	$ 683,291	$ 726,960

Noncontrolling Interest (Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income /(Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	$ (42,208)	$ 105,945	$ 92,723
Net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders	18,448	58,223	41,732
Net income/(loss) from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling shareholders	(60,656)	47,722	50,991
Changyou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	18,448	46,990	27,137
Sogou [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in consolidated statements of comprehensive income	$ (60,656)	$ 58,955	$ 65,586

Amount after tax of income (loss) from a discontinued operation attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Includes, but is not limited to, the income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, gain (loss) for reversal of write-down (write-down) to fair value, less cost to sell, and adjustments to a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

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