How come American-owned websites are not as popular in China as in the rest of the world?

Question

Although Google is the most popular search engine in most countries, it is not as popular as its major competitors in China. The same goes for Youtube, MSN, Facebook, etc. Does it have to do with the way these companies market their product or is it only because Chinese people prefer to use Chinese-owned websites?

Answer 1

China sensors all internet traffic.  Their block list is HUGE!

Answer 2

Probably because China has a strict Communist government that doesn't let them access a lot of the sites that we can in a democracy. That is my best guess. Like when you are in some schools, a lot of the websites are blocked for safety reasons ans stuff like that; I am pretty sure that is how the internet is there.