# Weibo > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Weibo > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Weibo.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weibo > Source revision: 1355417186 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Chinese microblogging website}} {{other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox website | name = Weibo | logo = 150px | url = {{URL|weibo.com}} | commercial = Yes | type = [Microblogging](/source/Microblogging) | registration = Optional | owner = [Weibo Corporation](/source/Weibo_Corporation) | language = [Simplified Chinese](/source/Simplified_Chinese)
[Traditional Chinese](/source/Traditional_Chinese)
English (partial) | launch_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|2009|8|14}} | current_status = Active | module = {{Infobox Chinese | child = yes | c = 新浪微博 | p = Xīnlàng Wēibó | tp = Sin-làng Wei-bó | w = {{tone superscript|Hsin1-lang4 Wei1-po2}} | gr = Shinlanq Ueibor | bpmf = ㄒㄧㄣ ㄌㄤˋ ㄨㄟ ㄅㄛˊ | mi = {{IPAc-cmn|x|in|1|.|l|ang|4|-|wei|1|.|b|o|2}} | j = san1 long6 mei4 bok3 | y = Sānlohng Mèihbok | ci = {{IPAc-yue|s|an|1|-|l|ong|6|-|m|ei|4|-|b|ok|3}} | l = Sina Microblog | t = | s = | altname = }} }} '''Weibo''' ({{Lang-zh|c=微博|p=Wēibó}}), or '''Sina Weibo''' ({{Lang-zh|c=新浪微博|p=Xīnlàng Wēibó}}), is a Chinese [microblogging](/source/microblogging) ([weibo](/source/Microblogging_in_China)) website. Launched by [Sina Corp](/source/Sina_Corp)oration on 14 August 2009, it is one of the biggest [social media platform](/source/social_media_platform)s in [China](/source/China),{{cite news |title=Special: Micro blog's macro impact |author=Michelle |author2=Uking |name-list-style=amp |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-03/02/content_12099500.htm |work=China Daily |date=2 March 2011 |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-date=28 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128020858/https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2011-03/02/content_12099500.htm |url-status=live }} with over 582 million [monthly active users](/source/monthly_active_users) (252 million daily active users) as of Q1 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1058070/china-sina-weibo-dau/#:~:text=As%20of%20the%20first%20quarter,582%20million%20monthly%20active%20users | title=Weibo Corporation: DAUs 2022 | access-date=4 July 2022 | archive-date=5 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705190744/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1058070/china-sina-weibo-dau/#:~:text=As%20of%20the%20first%20quarter,582%20million%20monthly%20active%20users | url-status=live }} The platform has been highly successful but has faced criticism for heavy censorship.{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=James |date=2019-03-20 |title=Weibo's Free-Speech Failure |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/03/what-went-wrong-chinas-weibo-social-network/584728/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001213308/https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2019/03/what-went-wrong-chinas-weibo-social-network/584728/ |archive-date=1 October 2020 |access-date=2020-10-01 |website=The Atlantic |language=en-US}}{{cite news |title=Weibo Added 15 Million Users in Q3 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/weibo-added-15-million-users-185700211.html |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003051132/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/weibo-added-15-million-users-185700211.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bylund |first1=Anders |title=Weibo Added 15 Million Users in Q3 – |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/11/29/weibo-added-15-million-users-in-q3.aspx |work=The Motley Fool |date=29 November 2018 |access-date=15 December 2018 |archive-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718224654/https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/11/29/weibo-added-15-million-users-in-q3.aspx |url-status=live }} Sina had gone public on the [Nasdaq](/source/NASDAQ) in 2000.{{Cite web |author=Sherisse Pham |date=29 September 2020 |title=A big Chinese tech company is quitting Wall Street after 20 years |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/tech/sina-private-china-tech-hnk-intl/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001122503/https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/tech/sina-private-china-tech-hnk-intl/index.html |archive-date=1 October 2020 |access-date=2020-10-01 |website=CNN}} In March 2014, Sina announced a spinoff of Weibo and filed an [IPO](/source/IPO) under the symbol WB.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/socialmedia-updates/sina-weibo-china-s-twitter-files-for-ipo-in-us/article1-1195375.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315091101/http://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/socialmedia-updates/sina-weibo-china-s-twitter-files-for-ipo-in-us/article1-1195375.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2014|title=Sina Weibo, 'China's Twitter', files for IPO|website=[Hindustan Times](/source/Hindustan_Times)|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=15 March 2014|access-date=17 April 2014}}{{Cite web|date=2014-03-31|title=Sina Weibo removes the 'Sina' from its name, now just 'Weibo'|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1461827/sina-weibo-removes-sina-its-name-now-just-weibo|access-date=2020-10-12|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012204158/https://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1461827/sina-weibo-removes-sina-its-name-now-just-weibo|url-status=live}} Sina carved out 11% of Weibo in the IPO, with [Alibaba](/source/Alibaba_Group) owning 32% post-IPO.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joecornell/2014/04/14/spin-offs-in-the-spotlight-the-spin-cycle/|title=Spin-Offs in the Spotlight: The 'Spin-Cycle'|work=[Forbes](/source/Forbes)|author=Joe Cornell|date=14 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403174520/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joecornell/2014/04/14/spin-offs-in-the-spotlight-the-spin-cycle/|url-status=live}} The company began trading publicly on 17 April 2014.{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/04/16/investing/weibo-ipo/|title=Weibo IPO leads Chinese stock invasion|publisher=[CNN](/source/CNN)|author=Patrick M. Sheridan|date=17 April 2014|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=14 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214224524/https://money.cnn.com/2014/04/16/investing/weibo-ipo/|url-status=dead}} In March 2017, Sina launched Sina Weibo International Version. In November 2018, Sina Weibo suspended its registration function for minors under the age of 14. In July 2019, Sina Weibo announced that it would launch a two-month campaign to clean up pornographic and vulgar information, named "Project Deep Blue" ({{lang|zh-Hans|蔚蓝计划}}).{{Cite web|last=Team|first=What's on Weibo|title=Summer Censorship: Weibo Launches "Project Sky Blue"|date=6 July 2019 |url=https://www.whatsonweibo.com/summer-censorship-weibo-launches-project-sky-blue/|access-date=2020-10-12|language=en-US|archive-date=12 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012220601/https://www.whatsonweibo.com/summer-censorship-weibo-launches-project-sky-blue/|url-status=live}} On 29 September 2020, the company announced it would go private again due to rising tensions between the [US](/source/United_States) and China. ==Name== "Weibo" ({{lang|zh-Hans|微博}}) is the Chinese word for "microblog". Sina Weibo launched its new [domain name](/source/domain_name) weibo.com on 7 April 2011, deactivating and redirecting from the old domain, t.sina.com.cn, to the new one. Due to its popularity, the media sometimes refers to the platform simply as "Weibo", despite the numerous other Chinese [microblogging services](/source/Microblogging_in_China) including [Tencent Weibo](/source/Tencent_Weibo), [Sohu Weibo](/source/Sohu_Weibo), and [NetEase Weibo](/source/NetEase_Weibo).{{Cite news|url=https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/complete-guide-china-social-media|title=The Complete Guide to China's Major Social Media Networks|date=16 May 2014|work=Nanjing Marketing Group|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013143925/https://www.nanjingmarketinggroup.com/blog/complete-guide-china-social-media|url-status=live}} However, the latter three have stopped providing services.{{Cite web|last=周伊雪|date=2020-09-29|script-title=zh:快看｜腾讯微博正式关闭，已无法登陆|url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/2020-09-29/doc-iivhvpwy9524383.shtml|access-date=2021-10-30|website=finance.sina.com.cn|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030054721/https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/2020-09-29/doc-iivhvpwy9524383.shtml|url-status=live}} ==Background== Sina Weibo is a platform based on fostering user relationships to share, disseminate, and receive information. Through the website or the mobile app, users can upload pictures and videos publicly for instant sharing, with other users being able to comment with text, pictures and videos, or use a multimedia instant messaging service. The company initially invited a large number of celebrities to join the platform at the beginning{{Cite web|date=2016-08-10|title=Weibo Bets On Celebrities And Influencers To Boost Their Live Streaming Plans — TechNode|url=https://technode.com/2016/08/10/weibo-bets-on-celebrities-and-influencers-to-boost-their-live-streaming-plans/|access-date=2020-10-01|website=TechNode|language=en-US|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027210407/https://technode.com/2016/08/10/weibo-bets-on-celebrities-and-influencers-to-boost-their-live-streaming-plans/|url-status=live}} and has since invited many media personalities, government departments, businesses and [non-governmental organization](/source/non-governmental_organization)s to open accounts for the purpose of publishing and communicating information.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-21|title=China's foreign ministry finally gets into the Weibo game|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3011200/chinas-foreign-ministry-finally-starts-using-weibo-promote-its|access-date=2020-10-01|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107233727/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3011200/chinas-foreign-ministry-finally-starts-using-weibo-promote-its|url-status=live}} To avoid the impersonation of celebrities, Sina Weibo uses verification symbols; celebrity accounts have an orange letter "V" and organizations' accounts have a blue letter "V". Sina Weibo has more than 500 million registered users;{{Cite news|url=https://www.whatsonweibo.com/sinaweibo/|title=An Introduction to Sina Weibo: Background and Status Quo|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407054423/https://www.whatsonweibo.com/sinaweibo/|url-status=live}} out of these, 313 million are monthly active users, 85% use the Weibo mobile app, 70% are college-aged, 50.10% are male and 49.90% are female. There are over 100 million messages posted by users each day. With more than 100 million followers, actress [Xie Na](/source/Xie_Na) holds the record for the most followers on the platform. Despite fierce competition among Chinese social media platforms, Sina Weibo remains the most popular.{{Cite journal|last=Chiu|first=Cindy|date=April 2012|title=Understanding social media in China|url=http://asia.udp.cl/Informes/2012/chinamedia.pdf|journal=McKinsey Quarterly|volume=2|pages=78–81|access-date=15 October 2018|archive-date=22 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222225815/http://asia.udp.cl/Informes/2012/chinamedia.pdf|url-status=dead}} ==History== [[File:微博之夜众星云集 林志玲周冬雨等“争奇斗艳”.webm|thumb|Sina Weibo gala in 2019. Participants include: [Sun Yi](/source/Sun_Yi_(actress)), [Chen Duling](/source/Chen_Duling), [Lin Junjie](/source/JJ_Lin), [Di Lieba](/source/Di_Lieba), [Li Yifeng](/source/Li_Yifeng), [Huang Xiaoming](/source/Huang_Xiaoming), [Guli Nazha](/source/G%C3%BClnezer_Bextiyar), [Zhou Dongyu](/source/Zhou_Dongyu), [Hua Chenyu](/source/Hua_Chenyu), [Shawn Yue](/source/Shawn_Yue), [Wang Jiaer](/source/Jackson_Wang), [Zhu Yilong](/source/Zhu_Yilong), [Lin Chiling](/source/Lin_Chi-ling), [Charmaine Sheh](/source/Charmaine_Sheh), [Liu Ye](/source/Liu_Ye_(actor)), [NINE PERCENT](/source/Nine_Percent), and [Wu Dajing](/source/Wu_Dajing).]] After the [July 2009 Ürümqi riots](/source/July_2009_%C3%9Cr%C3%BCmqi_riots), China shut down most domestic microblogging services, including [Fanfou](/source/Fanfou), the very first weibo service. Many popular non-China-based microblogging services like [Twitter](/source/Twitter), [Facebook](/source/Facebook), and [Plurk](/source/Plurk) have since been [blocked](/source/Great_Firewall_of_China). Sina Corporation CEO [Charles Chao](/source/Charles_Chao) considered this to be an opportunity,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066392,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424131404/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066392,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 April 2011|title=Charles Chao – The 2011 TIME 100|date=21 April 2011|first=Austin |last=Ramzy |magazine=Time|access-date=26 October 2011}}{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2011/0314/features-charles-chao-twitter-fanfou-china-sina-weibo.html |title=Sina Weibo |date=14 March 2011 |first=Gady |last=Epstein |work=[Forbes Asia](/source/Forbes_Asia) |access-date=26 October 2011 |archive-date=15 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515231520/https://www.forbes.com/global/2011/0314/features-charles-chao-twitter-fanfou-china-sina-weibo.html |url-status=live }} and on 14 August 2009, Sina launched the tested version of Sina Weibo.{{cite book|author=Feicheng Ma|title=Information Communication|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rtc5CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA92|date=1 July 2015|publisher=Morgan & Claypool Publishers|isbn=978-1-62705-798-1|pages=92–|access-date=1 December 2017|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503144714/https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Rtc5CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA92&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}} Basic functions including message, private message, comment and reposting were made available that September. A Sina Weibo–compatible [API](/source/API) platform for developing third-party applications was launched on 28 July 2010. On 1 December 2010, the website experienced an outage, which administrators later said was due to the ever-increasing numbers of users and posts.{{cite web|url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2010-12-01/15324930344.shtml|script-title=zh:新浪微博恢复访问 发布故障致歉声明|access-date=26 October 2011|publisher=Sina Tech|date=1 December 2011|language=zh|archive-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206000235/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2010-12-01/15324930344.shtml|url-status=live}} Registered users surpassed 100 million in February 2011.{{cite web|url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2011-03-02/06005233783.shtml|script-title=zh:新浪发布2010年四季及全年财报 微博用户数过亿|language=zh|publisher=Sina Tech|date=2 March 2011|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=5 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305112557/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2011-03-02/06005233783.shtml|url-status=live}} Since 23 March 2011, t.cn has been used as Sina Weibo's official [shortened URL](/source/URL_shortening) in lieu of sinaurl.cn. On 7 April 2011, weibo.com replaced t.sina.com.cn as the new main domain name used by the website. The official logo was also updated.{{cite web|url=http://fj.sina.com.cn/news/z/2011-04-07/152896712.html|script-title=zh:新浪微博今日启用weibo.com域名 同步更换标识|access-date=26 October 2011|publisher=Sina Tech|date=7 April 2011|language=zh|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060327/http://fj.sina.com.cn/news/z/2011-04-07/152896712.html|url-status=live}} In June 2011, Sina announced an [English](/source/English-language_spelling_reform)-language version of Sina Weibo would be developed and launched, though content would still be governed by Chinese law.{{cite news|url=http://cn.wsj.com/gb/20110609/rth145806.asp|script-title=zh:新浪英文微博 挑战Twitter？|date=9 June 2011|access-date=26 October 2011|work=The Wall Street Journal|author=Owen Fletcher|language=zh|archive-date=15 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015031528/http://cn.wsj.com/gb/20110609/rth145806.asp|url-status=dead}} On 11 January 2013, Sina Weibo and Alibaba China (a subsidiary of [Alibaba Group](/source/Alibaba_Group)) signed a strategic cooperation agreement.{{Cite web|url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2013-04-29/20038293717.shtml|script-title=zh:阿里巴巴集团战略投资微博|publisher=Sina Corp|access-date=6 March 2018|archive-date=9 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909094354/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2013-04-29/20038293717.shtml|url-status=live}} With more and more foreign celebrities using Sina Weibo, language translation has become an urgent need for Chinese users who wish to communicate with their idols online, especially [Korean](/source/Korean_language). In January 2013, Sina Weibo and NetEase.com announced that they had reached a strategic cooperation agreement. When users browse foreign language content, they can now directly obtain translation results through the [YouDao](/source/Youdao) Dictionary.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-20|title=Chinese social platform tries to make celebrity stans less toxic|url=https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3093941/weibo-trying-put-stop-chinas-extreme-celebrity-fan-culture|access-date=2020-10-01|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923160243/https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3093941/weibo-trying-put-stop-chinas-extreme-celebrity-fan-culture|url-status=live}} The Sina Weibo financial report in February 2013 showed that its total revenue was approximately US$66 million and that the number of registered users had exceeded the 500 million mark. In April 2013, Sina officially announced that Sina Weibo had signed a strategic cooperation agreement with [Alibaba](/source/Alibaba_Group).{{Cite web|title=Chinese Internet Giants Alibaba and Sina Weibo Partner Up To Launch Weibo Payment|url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/01/07/weibo-payment/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=TechCrunch|date=7 January 2014|language=en-US}} The two sides conducted in-depth cooperation in areas such as user account interoperability, data exchange, online payment, and internet marketing. At the same time, Sina announced that Alibaba, through its wholly owned subsidiary, had purchased the preferred shares and common shares issued by Sina Weibo Company for US$586 million, which accounted for approximately 18% of Weibo's fully diluted and diluted total shares.{{Cite news|url=http://www.chinaz.com/start/2017/0921/806654.shtml|script-title=zh:新浪微博八年兴衰史|date=21 September 2017|access-date=6 April 2018|archive-date=7 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407054122/http://www.chinaz.com/start/2017/0921/806654.shtml|url-status=live}} ===Ownership=== On 9 April 2013, [Alibaba Group](/source/Alibaba_Group) announced that it would acquire 18% of Sina Weibo for US$586 million, with the option to buy up to 30% in the future.{{cite web | url=http://www.morningwhistle.com/html/2013/Company_Industry_0503/217448.html | title=Alibaba buys into Sina Weibo with $586 mln | publisher=Morning Whistle | date=3 May 2013 | access-date=10 May 2013 | author=Kang, Xiaoxiao | archive-date=6 March 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200306221747/http://www.morningwhistle.com/pm/711.html | url-status=live }} Alibaba exercised this option when Weibo was listed on the [NASDAQ](/source/NASDAQ) in April 2014.{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2014/05/07/as-alibaba-basked-in-attention-shares-in-its-social-media-affiliate-weibo-tanked-yesterday/ | title=As Alibaba Basked in Attention, Shares in Its Social Media Arm Weibo Tanked Yesterday | website=Forbes | date=7 May 2014 | access-date=16 September 2014 | author=Russell Flannery | archive-date=12 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144912/https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2014/05/07/as-alibaba-basked-in-attention-shares-in-its-social-media-affiliate-weibo-tanked-yesterday/ | url-status=live }} ==Users== According to [iResearch](/source/iResearch_Consulting_Group)'s report on 30 March 2011, Sina Weibo had 56.5% of China's microblogging market based on active users and 86.6% based on browsing time over competitors such as [Tencent Weibo](/source/Tencent_Weibo) and [Baidu](/source/Baidu).{{cite web|url=http://www.resonancechina.com/sina-commands-56-of-chinas-microblog-market/|title=Sina Commands 56% of China's Microblog Market|date=30 March 2011|publisher=[iResearch](/source/iResearch_Consulting_Group)|access-date=26 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312111150/http://www.resonancechina.com/sina-commands-56-of-chinas-microblog-market/|archive-date=12 March 2015}} According to research by Sina Corporation, the number of active users reached over 400 million by Q1 2018, making Sina Weibo the 7th platform with at least 400 million active users, and daily usage increased by 21%.{{Cite web |last=新浪科技 |date=9 May 2018 |script-title=zh:微博月活跃用户突破4亿 |url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2018-05-09/doc-ihaichqz1704770.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227060306/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2018-05-09/doc-ihaichqz1704770.shtml |archive-date=27 February 2019 |access-date=26 February 2019 |publisher=Sina Corp}} As of 2017, approximately 80% of its users were in their 20s and 30s.'''{{Cite book |last=Song |first=Chenyang |title=Nationalist and Popular Culture Practices on Social Media: A Digital Ethnography of Chinese Online Fandom Nationalists |date=2025 |publisher=Transcript |isbn=978-3-8376-7926-7 |edition= |location=Bielefeld}}'''{{Reference page|page=118}} The top 100 users had over 485 million followers combined. More than 5,000 companies and 2,700 media organizations in China use Sina Weibo. The site is maintained by a growing microblogging department of 200 employees responsible for technology, design, operations, and marketing.[MarketWatch](/source/MarketWatch), ''[Caixin](/source/Caixin)'', [http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sina-brings-microblogging-to-china-2010-07-04 Sina's microblogging power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708223922/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sina-brings-microblogging-to-china-2010-07-04|date=8 July 2010}}, 4 July 2010 Sina executives invited and persuaded many Chinese celebrities to join the platform. Users now include Asian celebrities, movie stars, singers, famous business and media figures, athletes, scholars, artists, organizations, religious figures, government departments, and officials from [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong), [Mainland China](/source/Mainland_China), [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia), [Singapore](/source/Singapore), [Taiwan](/source/Taiwan), and [Macau](/source/Macau),{{cite web|url=http://thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=340|title=Weibo Microblogs – A Western format with new Chinese implications|publisher=Thinking Chinese|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=19 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200119202256/http://www.thinkingchinese.com/index.php?page_id=340|url-status=live}}[Erenlai](/source/Erenlai), [http://erenlai.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4739%3Amicroblogs-with-macro-reach-spirituality-online-in-china&catid=706%3Afocus-internet-as-body&Itemid=359&lang=en Microblogs with Macro Reach: Spirituality Online In China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123072411/http://erenlai.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4739%3Amicroblogs-with-macro-reach-spirituality-online-in-china&catid=706%3Afocus-internet-as-body&Itemid=359&lang=en |date=23 January 2018 }}, 31 October 2011 as well as some famous foreign individuals and organizations, including [Kevin Rudd](/source/Kevin_Rudd),[http://shanghaiist.com/2012/04/23/kevin_rudd_joins_weibo_attracts_100.php Kevin Rudd joins Weibo, attracts 100,000 followers within three days] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903193846/http://shanghaiist.com/2012/04/23/kevin_rudd_joins_weibo_attracts_100.php |date=3 September 2014 }}, 23 April 2012 [Boris Johnson](/source/Boris_Johnson),[http://www.echinacities.com/china-media/get-connected-why-are-foreign-dignitaries-increasingly.html Get Connected: Why Are Foreign Dignitaries Increasingly Turning to Weibo?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626014244/http://www.echinacities.com/china-media/get-connected-why-are-foreign-dignitaries-increasingly.html |date=26 June 2012 }}, 23 May 2012 [David Cameron](/source/David_Cameron),{{cite web|last1=Zhang|first1=Qiang|title=David Cameron joins Chinese social site Weibo|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-25189219|publisher=BBC News|date=2 December 2013|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=16 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616000635/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-25189219|url-status=live}} [Narendra Modi](/source/Narendra_Modi),{{cite web|last1=Wong|first1=Tessa|title=Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi joins China's Weibo|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32579541|publisher=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News)|date=4 May 2015|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=19 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619073535/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32579541|url-status=live}} [Toshiba](/source/Toshiba),[https://archive.today/20130101202029/http://www.toshiba-tec.com.cn/AboutUs/NewsDetail.aspx?nid=527 (Chinese) 东芝泰格新浪官方微博正式开通 – Official opening of Toshiba's Sina Weibo account] [Toshiba](/source/Toshiba) China Official site and the [Germany national football team](/source/Germany_national_football_team). Sina Weibo has a verification program for known people and organizations. Once an account is verified, a verification badge is added beside the account name. ==Features== Many of Sina Weibo's features resemble those of [Twitter](/source/Twitter). A user may post with a 140-[character](/source/Character_(symbol)) limit (increased to 2,000 as of January 2016 with the exception of reposts and comments).{{Cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-01/21/c_1117841841.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406183641/http://news.xinhuanet.com/2016-01/21/c_1117841841.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2016|script-title=zh:新浪微博将取消140字限制 最多可发布2000字内容-新华网|agency=Xinhua News Agency|access-date=9 November 2016}} An analysis of 29 million Weibo posts found the median length was 14 characters.{{Cite journal |last1=Guntuku |first1=Sharath Chandra |last2=Talhelm |first2=Thomas |last3=Sherman |first3=Garrick |last4=Fan |first4=Angel |last5=Giorgi |first5=Salvatore |last6=Wei |first6=Liuqing |last7=Ungar |first7=Lyle H. |date=2024-12-24 |title=Historical patterns of rice farming explain modern-day language use in China and Japan more than modernization and urbanization |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-04053-7 |journal=Humanities and Social Sciences Communications |language=en |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1–21 |article-number=1724 |doi=10.1057/s41599-024-04053-7 |issn=2662-9992|arxiv=2308.15352 }} Users may mention or talk to other people using "@UserName" formatting, add [hashtag](/source/hashtag)s, follow other users to make their posts appear in one's own timeline, re-post with "//@UserName" similar to Twitter's retweet function "RT @UserName", select posts for one's favorites list, and verify the account if the user is a celebrity, brand, business or otherwise of public interest.{{Cite web|last=KAWO|title=The World of Weibo Verification: Options to Verify Accounts on Sina Weibo|date=4 April 2018 |url=https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-world-of-weibo-verification-options-to-verify-accounts-on-sina-weibo/|access-date=2020-10-06|language=en-US|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919002714/https://www.whatsonweibo.com/the-world-of-weibo-verification-options-to-verify-accounts-on-sina-weibo/|url-status=live}} [URLs](/source/Uniform_Resource_Locator) are automatically shortened using the domain name t.cn, akin to Twitter's t.co. Official and third-party applications can access Sina Weibo from other websites or platforms. Users may: * Submit up to 18 images/video files in every post * Send personal messages to followers * Follow others and be followed * Post "stories" like on Instagram * React to posts using different emojis * Receive monetary rewards that can be used in a digital store linked to Weibo * View posts identified as "hot" or popular * Display the location they post from Hashtags differ slightly between Sina Weibo and Twitter, using the double-hashtag "#HashName#" format (the lack of spacing between [Chinese characters](/source/Chinese_characters) necessitates a closing tag). Users can own a hashtag by requesting hashtag monitoring; the company reviews these requests and responds within one to three days. Once a user owns a hashtag, they have access to a wide variety of functions available only to them on the condition that they remain active (less than 1 post per calendar week revokes these privileges).{{Cite web|url=http://kawo.com/en/2015/02/04/how-to-use-hashtags-on-weibo/|title=How to Use Hashtags on Weibo – KAWO|website=kawo.com|access-date=2 January 2018|archive-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011657/http://kawo.com/en/2015/02/04/how-to-use-hashtags-on-weibo/|url-status=live}} Additionally, comments appear as a list below each post. A commenter can also choose to re-post the comment, quoting the whole original post, to their own page. Unregistered users can only browse a few posts by verified accounts. Neither unverified account pages nor comments to posts by verified accounts are accessible to unregistered users. Although often described as a Chinese version of Twitter, Sina Weibo combines elements of Twitter, Facebook, and Medium, along with other social media platforms. Sina Weibo users interact more than Twitter users do, and while many topics that go viral on Weibo also originate from the platform itself, Twitter topics often come from outside news or events.{{cite web |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-05/dutch-sinologist-interprets-chinas-social-media-for-west-101194158.html |title=Dutch Sinologist Interprets China's Social Media for West |website=Caixin |date=5 January 2018 |first=Poornima |last=Weerasekara |access-date=6 January 2018 |archive-date=6 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106231756/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-05/dutch-sinologist-interprets-chinas-social-media-for-west-101194158.html |url-status=live }} During the outbreak of the COVID-19, Weibo was also a data collecting station to collect and detect the spread of the coronavirus.{{Cite journal |last1=Jia |first1=Lianrui |last2=Han |first2=Xiaofei |date=2020-07-02 |title=Tracing Weibo (2009–2019): The commercial dissolution of public communication and changing politics |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24701475.2020.1769894 |journal=Internet Histories |language=en |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=304–332 |doi=10.1080/24701475.2020.1769894 |s2cid=221666558 |issn=2470-1475 |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501022953/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24701475.2020.1769894 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }} '''Trending topics''' Sina Weibo's "trending topics" is a list of current popular topics based partly on tracking user participation and partly on the preference of Weibo staff. Once a topic is trending, it often becomes a heated issue and can have wide-ranging social influence. As such, the list has reshaped how Chinese people relate to the news media.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-BKZY201508004.htm|script-title=zh:网络"热门话题"的形成机制与议程设置功能——以新浪微博为例--《今传媒》2015年08期|website=cnki.com.cn|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213005938/http://www.cnki.com.cn/Article/CJFDTotal-BKZY201508004.htm|url-status=live}} ===Verification=== Sina Weibo has a verification policy for confirming the identity of a user (celebrities, organizations etc.). Once a user is verified, a colorful V is appended to their username; individuals receive an orange V, while organizations and companies receive a blue V. A graph and declaration certifying the verification appear on verified user pages. There are several kinds of verifications: personal, college, organization, verification for official accounts (government departments, social media platforms and famous companies), and [Weibo](/source/Microblogging_in_China) Master (linked with phone numbers and followers). To protect the rights and interests of celebrities, Sina Weibo has launched a celebrity authentication system. The celebrity authentication logo is a gold "V" logo after the verified user's name. The certified figures are mainly stars of various industries, business executives and important news parties. From 22:00 on June 12, 2020, users who post comments must follow the blogger for more than 7 days, except for those who have set "people I follow" to comment on themselves. This adjustment will last for 7 days. === Fan groups === In 2014, Weibo introduced "fan groups", a function that allows blogger accounts to manage follower communities and interact directly with fans in the group.{{Reference page|page=118}} Celebrities with more than 10,000 followers and related administrator accounts are eligible to create fan groups.{{Reference page|page=118}} These owners have various administrative powers, including the ability to moderate contents, membership, and to dissolve the association between the main accounts and the fan group or dissolve the fan group itself.{{Reference page|page=118}} Fan groups have a higher member limit compared to regular groups.{{Reference page|page=118}} Group members can advance their status through the frequency of their posting or participation (often described as "clocking in").{{Reference page|page=118}} ===Clients=== Sina produces mobile applications for various platforms to access Sina Weibo, including [Android](/source/Android_(operating_system)), [BlackBerry OS](/source/BlackBerry_OS), [iOS](/source/iOS_(Apple)), [Symbian S60](/source/Symbian_S60), [Windows Mobile](/source/Windows_Mobile), [Windows Phone](/source/Windows_Phone) and [HarmonyOS](/source/HarmonyOS).{{Cite web|date=2013-09-25|title=Sina Weibo to launch native app for BlackBerry 10|url=https://crackberry.com/sina-weibo-launch-native-app-blackberry-10|access-date=2020-10-06|website=CrackBerry|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010103117/https://crackberry.com/sina-weibo-launch-native-app-blackberry-10|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2013-01-09|title=Sina Weibo integrates into Microsoft Account for Windows 8, Win Phone and more|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/sina-weibo-integrates-microsoft-account-windows-8-win-phone-and-more|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Windows Central|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008222348/https://www.windowscentral.com/sina-weibo-integrates-microsoft-account-windows-8-win-phone-and-more|url-status=live}} Sina has also released a desktop client for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) under the product name Weibo Desktop.[http://desktop.weibo.com/ 微博桌面2012 新浪微博-随时随地分享身边的新鲜事儿] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518171202/http://desktop.weibo.com/ |date=18 May 2019 }}. Desktop.weibo.com (1 July 2013). Retrieved 9 August 2013. ===International versions=== Sina Weibo is available in both [simplified](/source/Simplified_Chinese_characters) and [traditional](/source/Traditional_Chinese_characters) Chinese characters. The site also has versions[http://www.chinainternetwatch.com/2100/sina-segmenting-weibo-usage-with-multiple-versions/ Sina Segmenting Weibo Usage with Multiple Versions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109024456/https://www.chinainternetwatch.com/2100/sina-segmenting-weibo-usage-with-multiple-versions/ |date=9 November 2017 }}, China Internet Watch, 17 April 2013 that cater to users from Hong Kong and [Taiwan](/source/Taiwan). In 2011, Weibo developed an international edition in English and other languages. On 9 January 2018, the company ran a week-long public test of its English edition. Sina Weibo's official iPhone and iPad apps are available in English. Weibo International supports existing Weibo accounts and allows Facebook accounts to link to the platform; users can also use their mobile phone number (including international mobile phone numbers) to register new accounts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ifanr.com/app/805084|script-title=zh:简洁、无广告的微博国际版，你用上了吗？#iOS #Android|website=爱范儿|date=26 March 2017|language=zh-CN|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921092252/https://www.ifanr.com/app/805084|url-status=live}} ===Weibo Stories=== One of the most recent features of Weibo is Stories. "Weibo's stories" is a video function allowing users to record a video and save them in a separate "Story" menu in their profile page.[https://www.hicom-asia.com/english-guide-to-post-on-weibo-sina/ Weibo English guide to create posts in 2019] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531040416/https://www.hicom-asia.com/english-guide-to-post-on-weibo-sina/ |date=31 May 2019 }}, HI-COM Asia, 2 May 2017 ===Weibo VLOG=== Weibo has also launched a new "Vlog" function. Now, every video with a hashtag VLOG will be available in the main search page under "VLOG" sub-menu. === Weibo interviews === Weibo interviews are text-based interviews hosted on the Weibo platform.{{Rp|page=176}} Users post questions to the person being interviewed via Weibo posts and that person responds in real-time.{{Rp|page=176}} === Posting via text message === If a user links their Weibo account to a cell phone number, the user can both make and receive Weibo posts via text message.{{Cite book |last=Shi |first=Song |title=China and the Internet: Using New Media for Development and Social Change |date=2023 |publisher=[Rutgers University Press](/source/Rutgers_University_Press) |isbn=9781978834736 |location=New Brunswick, NJ}}{{Rp|page=148}} The user can then upload posts by texting them to 1069 009 009 and they will appear on Weibo in real time.{{Rp|page=158}} Replies or comments to those posts are sent to the user via text message.{{Rp|page=158}} === IP address === Weibo began displaying IP addresses of users when posting and commenting in April 2022.{{cite web |last1=Koetse |first1=Manya |title=Uh Oh, IP: Chinese Social Media Platforms Now Display Users' Geolocation |url=https://www.whatsonweibo.com/uh-oh-ip-chinese-social-media-platforms-now-display-users-geolocation/ |website=What's On Weibo |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=30 April 2022 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203190427/https://www.whatsonweibo.com/uh-oh-ip-chinese-social-media-platforms-now-display-users-geolocation/ |url-status=live }} === Super-hashtags === Between 2014 and 2016, the growth in interest-driven and subcultural communities among Weibo users prompted the development of Weibo's super-hashtag function.{{Reference page|page=118}} The super-hashtag function seeks to aggregate high-quality content associated with specific hashtags for users interested in these topics.{{Reference page|page=119}} Each super-hashtag can have up to three major hosts and ten minor hosts.{{Reference page|page=119}} Hosts can regulate the super-hashtag by blocking posts and users.{{Reference page|page=119}} Major hosts can label posts as "recommended" which increases visibility in a "stickied"/highlight zone at the top of the super-hashtag page.{{Reference page|page=119}} ===Other services=== Weilingdi ({{lang|zh-Hans|微领地}}, literally, ''micro fief'') is another service bundled with Weibo. Similar to [Foursquare](/source/Foursquare_City_Guide), Weilingdi is a location-based social networking website for [mobile device](/source/mobile_device)s; the site grew out of Sina's 2011 joint venture with GeoSentric's [GyPSii](/source/GyPSii).{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/SINA.OQ/key-developments/article/2351934|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171018160831/http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/SINA.OQ/key-developments|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 October 2017|title=Geosentric Oyj Signs Agreement to Create Joint Venture with Sina Corporation|date=27 June 2011|work=Reuters|access-date=1 June 2013}} Sina's Tuding ({{lang|zh-Hans|图钉}}) photo-sharing service, similar to [Instagram](/source/Instagram), is also produced by the same joint venture. Sina Lady Weibo ({{lang|zh-Hans|新浪女性微博}}) specializes in women's interests. Weibo Data Center enables users to access data analysis about a topic of their choice, Sina Weibo's official data, and demographic information. Sina Weibo has also recently released a desktop version available for free download at its website. ==Issues== === Racism === On 2 May 2021, a Weibo account belonging to the [Chinese Communist Party](/source/Chinese_Communist_Party)'s [Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission](/source/Central_Political_and_Legal_Affairs_Commission) posted an image of rocket [Long March 5B](/source/Long_March_5B)'s launch next to a photo of mass cremations of the dead in India as a result of the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic) with the caption "China lighting a fire versus India lighting a fire". The post was quickly deleted after it faced massive backlash from users and a hashtag related to the post also was deleted.{{Cite web |last1=Gan |first1=Nectar |last2=Griffiths |first2=James |date=2021-05-03 |title=A Chinese Communist Party–linked account mocked India's COVID crisis on social media. It backfired |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/03/china/china-india-weibo-social-media-mic-intl-hnk/index.html|archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108034335/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/03/china/china-india-weibo-social-media-mic-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |publisher=CNN |access-date=2024-01-15}} According to a report by the [Human Rights Watch](/source/Human_Rights_Watch), racist content targeting [black people](/source/black_people) is strongly prevalent in Chinese social media platforms including Weibo.{{cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Amy |date=2023-08-16 |title=Chinese social media filled with anti-black racist content, says watchdog |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/chinese-social-media-filled-with-anti-black-racist-content-says-watchdog |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116003715/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/16/chinese-social-media-filled-with-anti-black-racist-content-says-watchdog |archive-date=16 January 2024 |url-status=live |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2024-01-16}} ===Regulation in China=== {{Further|Internet censorship in China}} In cooperation with [internet censorship in China](/source/Internet_censorship_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China), Sina sets strict controls over the posts on its services.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59420220110919|title=China's Sina to step-up censorship of Weibo|date=19 September 2011|work=Reuters|access-date=18 October 2011|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018160836/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-59420220110919|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904106704576582263223341384|title=Beijing's Weibo Conundrum|date=21 September 2011|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 October 2011|archive-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119054253/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904106704576582263223341384|url-status=live}} Posts with links using some URL shortening services (including Google's goo.gl), or containing blacklisted keywords,{{cite web|url=http://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/2011/07/%e6%96%b0%e6%b5%aa%e5%be%ae%e5%8d%9a%e6%95%8f%e6%84%9f%e8%af%8d%e6%95%b4%e7%90%86%ef%bc%9a%e6%b1%9f%e6%b3%bd%e6%b0%91%ef%bc%882011%e5%b9%b407%e6%9c%8807%e6%97%a5%ef%bc%89/|script-title=zh:新浪微博搜索禁词|date=7 July 2011|website=China Digital Times|access-date=18 October 2011|archive-date=27 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927045121/https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/2011/07/%E6%96%B0%E6%B5%AA%E5%BE%AE%E5%8D%9A%E6%95%8F%E6%84%9F%E8%AF%8D%E6%95%B4%E7%90%86%EF%BC%9A%E6%B1%9F%E6%B3%BD%E6%B0%91%EF%BC%882011%E5%B9%B407%E6%9C%8807%E6%97%A5%EF%BC%89/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title= "Big Yellow Duck," "May 35th," and Other Words You Can't Use on China's Twitter Today |url= http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/06/04/big_yellow_duck_censored_in_china_sina_weibo_bans_phrases_on_tiananmen_square.html |author= Jennifer Lai |publisher= The Slate |date= 4 June 2013 |access-date= 21 April 2018 |archive-date= 27 July 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170727184414/http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/06/04/big_yellow_duck_censored_in_china_sina_weibo_bans_phrases_on_tiananmen_square.html |url-status= live }} are not allowed on Sina Weibo. Posts on politically sensitive topics are deleted after manual checking. Users with few followers may be able to post on censored topics with relative freedom until they reach a critical mass of followers, which triggers enforced content supervision.{{Cite web|date=2018-03-14|title=How the University of Hong Kong is tracking China's censorship of Weibo users.|url=https://www.splicemedia.com/weiboscope-tracks-china-censors/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Splice|language=en-US|archive-date=25 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025202340/https://www.splicemedia.com/weiboscope-tracks-china-censors/|url-status=dead}} Sina Weibo is believed to employ a distributed, heterogeneous strategy for censorship that has a great amount of [defense-in-depth](/source/defense-in-depth), which ranges from keyword list filtering to individual user monitoring. Nearly 30% of the total deletion events occur within 5–30 minutes, and nearly 90% of the deletions happen within the first 24 hours.{{cite arXiv |last=Zhu |first=Tao |title= The Velocity of Censorship: High-Fidelity Detection of Microblog Post Deletions |eprint= 1303.0597 |author2= Phipps, Pridgen |author3= Crandall, Wallach |date= 4 March 2013|class=cs.CY }} On 9 March 2010, the posts by Chinese artist and activist [Ai Weiwei](/source/Ai_Weiwei) at Sina Weibo to appeal for information on the [2008 Sichuan earthquake](/source/2008_Sichuan_earthquake) going public were deleted and his account was closed by the site administrator. Attempts to register accounts with usernames alluding to Ai Weiwei were blocked.{{cite web|url=http://boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/03/201003101526.shtml|script-title=zh:著名艺术家艾未未挑战新浪微博的网络审查|date=10 March 2010|publisher=[Boxun.com](/source/Boxun.com)|access-date=26 October 2011|archive-date=20 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020221849/http://boxun.com/news/gb/china/2010/03/201003101526.shtml|url-status=live}} On 30 March 2010, Hong Kong singer [Gigi Leung blogged](/source/Gigi_Leung) about the jailed [Zhao Lianhai](/source/Zhao_Lianhai), an activist and father to a [2008 Chinese milk scandal](/source/2008_Chinese_milk_scandal) victim; that post was also deleted by an administrator shortly thereafter.{{cite web|url=http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/template/apple/art_main.php?iss_id=20100401&sec_id=4104&subsec_id=12731&art_id=13884022|script-title=zh:遭勒令刪去內地微博文章 撐維權爸爸 貼文抱不平 梁詠琪被河蟹了|date=1 April 2010|website=[Apple Daily](/source/Apple_Daily)|access-date=1 April 2010|archive-date=26 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326005655/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/template/apple/art_main.php?iss_id=20100401&sec_id=4104&subsec_id=12731&art_id=13884022|url-status=live}} [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-35C06KOi4 Video News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721074728/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-35C06KOi4 |date=21 July 2016 }} On 16 March 2012, all users of Sina Weibo in Beijing were told to register with their real names.{{cite news |title=China's Sina Weibo microblog nears identity deadline |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17337252 |publisher=BBC News |date=12 March 2012 |access-date=20 June 2018 |archive-date=11 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511011722/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17337252 |url-status=live }} Starting on 31 March 2012, the comment function of Sina Weibo was shut down for three days, along with [Tencent QQ](/source/Tencent_QQ).{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/world/asia/china-shuts-down-web-sites-after-coup-rumors.html | work=The New York Times | title=Coup Rumors Spur China to Hem in Social Networking Sites | date=31 March 2012 | first=Ian | last=Johnson | access-date=28 February 2017 | archive-date=15 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215070212/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/world/asia/china-shuts-down-web-sites-after-coup-rumors.html | url-status=live }}{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/asia/china-microblog-commenting-restored.html | work=The New York Times | title=China: Microblog Commenting Restored | date=4 April 2012 | access-date=28 February 2017 | archive-date=10 March 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310092817/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/asia/china-microblog-commenting-restored.html | url-status=live }} In May 2012, Sina Weibo introduced new restrictions on the content its users can post.[http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20120529/news_20120529_56_843891.htm New restrictions on blogging site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102132245/http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20120529/news_20120529_56_843891.htm |date=2 January 2013 }}. Rthk.hk (29 May 2012). Retrieved 9 August 2013. In October 2012, Sina Weibo heavily censored discussion of the [Foxconn](/source/Foxconn) strikes in October 2012.[https://twitter.com/jniccolai/status/254320132061528064 Twitter / jniccolai: Sina Weibo and Tencent Weibo] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326234235/https://twitter.com/jniccolai/status/254320132061528064 |date=26 March 2014 }}. Twitter. Retrieved 9 August 2013. On 4 June 2013, Sina Weibo blocked the terms "Today", "Tonight", "[June 4](/source/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989)", and "Big Yellow Duck". If a user searched using these terms, a message would appear stating that according to relevant laws, statutes and policies, the results of the search couldn't be shown. This censorship was implemented because a [photoshop](/source/photoshop)ped version of [Tank Man](/source/Tank_Man) which swapped all tanks in the photo with the sculpture [Rubber Duck](/source/Rubber_Duck_(sculpture)) had been circulating on Twitter.{{cite news | url=http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/censored-in-china-today-tonight-and-big-yellow-duck/?smid=tw-share | work=The New York Times | title=Censored in China: 'Today,' 'Tonight' and 'Big Yellow Duck' | date=4 June 2013 | access-date=6 June 2013 | archive-date=18 October 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018002909/http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/censored-in-china-today-tonight-and-big-yellow-duck/?smid=tw-share | url-status=live }}[https://twitter.com/RichardBuangan/status/341595028948385792 Twitter / RichardBuangan: Chinese netizens 1, Chinese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026010356/https://twitter.com/RichardBuangan/status/341595028948385792 |date=26 October 2013 }}. Twitter. Retrieved 9 August 2013. On 8 September 2017, Weibo gave an ultimatum to its users to verify their accounts with their real names by 15 September.{{Cite web|date=2017-09-08|title=China's Twitter-like Weibo orders users to register real names|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2110400/chinas-twitter-weibo-orders-users-register-their-real|access-date=2020-10-01|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111190642/http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2110400/chinas-twitter-weibo-orders-users-register-their-real|url-status=live}} The platform announced that same month that it would hire 1000 "supervisors" from among its users to engage in censorship. These supervisors were supposed to report at least 200 content pieces per month, with those with the best results being rewarded with special prizes, including iPhones and notebooks.{{Cite web|last=Gao|first=Charlotte|title=China's Weibo Hires 1000 'Supervisors' to Censor Content|url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/chinas-weibo-hires-1000-supervisors-to-censor-content/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US|archive-date=29 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029022114/https://thediplomat.com/2017/09/chinas-weibo-hires-1000-supervisors-to-censor-content/|url-status=live}} On 18 February 2018, Sina Weibo provided a "Comment moderation" function for both head users and official members. Comments received after opening this feature will not be displayed immediately, instead of requiring approval from moderators. Users can utilize this feature to avoid illegal content appearing in their comment section.{{Cite web|url=http://news.youth.cn/sh/201803/t20180301_11455301.htm|script-title=zh:新浪微博向会员用户开放评论审核 实现先审后放_新闻频道_中国青年网|last=青网新闻赵瑛|website=news.youth.cn|access-date=5 March 2018|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142319/http://news.youth.cn/sh/201803/t20180301_11455301.htm|url-status=live}} In April 2018, Weibo began a crackdown on anime, games, and short videos depicting "[pornography](/source/pornography), gore, [violence](/source/violence) and [homosexuality](/source/homosexuality)". The [CCP](/source/Chinese_Communist_Party) criticized Weibo's move, following which the company decided to exclude homosexual content from the purge.{{Cite web|last=Chong|first=Zoey|title=China's internet is reaching new levels of crackdown|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/weibos-self-censorship-reveals-chinas-stranglehold-on-internet/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=CNET|language=en|archive-date=14 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201014202808/https://www.cnet.com/news/weibos-self-censorship-reveals-chinas-stranglehold-on-internet/|url-status=live}} On 11 June 2020, the Cybersecurity Administration of China ordered Weibo to suspend its "trending topics" page for a week. The CAC accused Weibo of "dissemination of illegal information".{{Cite web|title=China's answer to Twitter ordered to freeze its trending topics|url=https://www.abacusnews.com/china-tech-city/chinas-answer-twitter-ordered-freeze-its-trending-topics/article/3088589|access-date=2020-06-14|website=Abacus|date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=7 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907220803/https://www.abacusnews.com/china-tech-city/chinas-answer-twitter-ordered-freeze-its-trending-topics/article/3088589|url-status=live}} On 22 February 2022, Horizon News accidentally posted on its Weibo page its instructions not to post anti-Russia content related to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.{{Cite web|last=Lahut|first=Jake|title=A Chinese news outlet accidentally leaked its own censorship instructions on Russia-Ukraine coverage: report|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/china-news-outlet-ukraine-coverage-instructions-weibo-horizon-russia-2022-2|access-date=2022-02-23|website=Business Insider|language=en-US|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223061927/https://www.businessinsider.com/china-news-outlet-ukraine-coverage-instructions-weibo-horizon-russia-2022-2|url-status=live}} In January 2023, Sina Weibo suspended more than 1,000 social media accounts of critics of the [Chinese government response to COVID-19](/source/Chinese_government_response_to_COVID-19).{{Cite news |date=6 January 2023 |title=China suspends social media accounts of COVID policy critics |work=[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) |url=https://apnews.com/article/health-china-government-covid-19-pandemic-beijing-3259cdf2fb41e8dd3d64f6c6d3b7cc80 |access-date=6 January 2023 |archive-date=7 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107041642/https://apnews.com/article/health-china-government-covid-19-pandemic-beijing-3259cdf2fb41e8dd3d64f6c6d3b7cc80 |url-status=live }} === Censorship in India === {{See also|Internet censorship in India}} In June 2020, Weibo was among 58 other Chinese apps that were banned by the [Government of India](/source/Government_of_India). Following this, [Prime Minister of India](/source/Prime_Minister_of_India) [Narendra Modi](/source/Narendra_Modi)'s account was deactivated.{{cite news |date=1 July 2020 |title=Chiness apps ban: PM Narendra Modi quits Chinese social media Weibo as India bans 59 apps {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-banning-apps-pm-narendra-modi-quits-chinese-social-media-weibo/articleshow/76730564.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701135518/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/after-banning-apps-pm-narendra-modi-quits-chinese-social-media-weibo/articleshow/76730564.cms |archive-date=1 July 2020 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=The Times of India |language=en}} === Fake social media engagement === Chinese social media has strong influencer and celebrity fandom cultures. Celebrities and digital influencers, or key opinion leaders (KOLs),{{Cite web |last1=Ruiyang |first1=Yuan |last2=Li |first2=Isabelle |date=2019-08-21 |title=In Depth: How Internet Celebrities Changed China E-Commerce |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-21/in-depth-how-internet-celebrities-changed-china-e-commerce-101453478.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=[Caixin](/source/Caixin) |language=en |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326183654/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-21/in-depth-how-internet-celebrities-changed-china-e-commerce-101453478.html |url-status=live }} compete for higher follower counts to attract brand deals. Despite some efforts undertaken by Weibo to curb fake engagement,{{Cite web |last=Zhao |first=Runhua |date=2019-02-25 |title=State Media Blasts Fake 'Likes' on Weibo - Caixin Global |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-02-25/state-media-blasts-fake-likes-on-weibo-101383538.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Caixin |language=en |archive-date=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529021909/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-02-25/state-media-blasts-fake-likes-on-weibo-101383538.html |url-status=live }} the issue remains pervasive due to the incentives for influencers and the advanced nature of fake engagement tools.{{Cite web |last=Borak |first=Masha |date=2019-06-14 |title=Fake it till you make it: Fake followers boost Chinese celebs |url=https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029418/fake-it-till-you-make-it-fake-followers-boost-chinese-celebs |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=[South China Morning Post](/source/South_China_Morning_Post) |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002051532/https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029418/fake-it-till-you-make-it-fake-followers-boost-chinese-celebs |url-status=live }} In 2018, a government crackdown exposed widespread manipulation on Sina Weibo, resulting in the temporary banning of numerous celebrities from its rankings. Notable figures like [Wang Sicong](/source/Wang_Sicong) were removed from the "hot searches" list, revealing a black market for manipulating rankings. Celebrities and KOLs exploit these tactics to enhance their visibility and suppress unfavorable stories. Weibo acknowledged this problem, listing banned terms and promising increased efforts to manage illegal content. Despite these measures, services offering to boost hashtags into top trending topics for a fee remain prevalent.{{Cite web |last=Zheng |first=Ruonan |date=2018-02-20 |title=China's "Water Army" Far Outnumbers US-Manufactured Followers |url=https://jingdaily.com/posts/the-follower-factory-in-china |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Jing Daily |language=en |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423235026/https://jingdaily.com/posts/the-follower-factory-in-china |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Yuan |first1=Yang |last2=Yang |first2=Yingzhi |date=2018-01-30 |title=Celebrity ban exposes fake rankings on China's Twitter |url=https://www.ft.com/content/4d84631c-04c0-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times) |archive-date=5 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605155817/https://www.ft.com/content/4d84631c-04c0-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5 |url-status=live }} Weibo is also inundated with fake followers, with 10,000 zombie followers costing around 10 yuan according to a 2019 ''Caixin'' report. Celebrity fan clubs act as comprehensive fake social media traffic generators, employing dedicated teams to create content and boost engagement figures.{{Cite web |last1=Qian |first1=Tong |last2=Qu |first2=Yunxu |last3=Qin |first3=Min |last4=Teng |first4=Jing Xuan |date=2019-08-05 |title=In Depth: The Fake Engagement Powering China's Internet |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-05/in-depth-the-fake-engagement-powering-chinas-internet-101447356.html |access-date=2024-06-06 |website=Caixin |language=en |archive-date=31 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131093523/https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-05/in-depth-the-fake-engagement-powering-chinas-internet-101447356.html |url-status=live }} Reports indicate that a significant portion of top influencers have used these services to meet the minimum follower requirements for attracting advertisers. ==Promotions== ===Weibo paid ads=== Average organic post view is around 10–15% on Weibo. To attract more followers, there are three types of paid ads options available:{{Cite web |author=Beijing Time |date=14 July 2016 |title=Weibo Advertising 2017 – A Guide for Weibo Paid Promotion |url=https://wowdownthiswall.com/2016/07/14/weibo-advertising/ |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018164318/https://wowdownthiswall.com/2016/07/14/weibo-advertising/ |url-status=dead |website=WOW DOWN THIS WALL |access-date=23 August 2017}} * Sponsored Post: Promotes to current followers and/or potential followers. * Weibo Tasks: Allows advertisers to pay for other accounts to repost, which in turn reach target audiences. * Fensi Tong ({{lang|zh-Hans|粉丝通}}): The most well known paid advertising option on Weibo; allows more specific targeting options, including interests, gender, location and devices. Advertisers can choose between CPM (cost per million; CNY 0.5 per thousand exposure) and CPC ([cost per engagement](/source/Cost-per-engagement); CNY 0.5 per effective engagement). Companies or organizations often use Fensitong and pay well-known Sina Weibo users (usually those with more than one million followers) to advertise to their followers.{{Cite web |title=Digital Marketing in China: Sina Weibo |url=http://www.konvertigo.io/blog/digital-marketing-china-sina-weibo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605085853/http://www.konvertigo.io/blog/digital-marketing-china-sina-weibo |archive-date=5 June 2018 |url-status=dead |website=konvertigo.io |access-date=16 March 2018}} ===Livery airplane=== On 8 June 2011, [Tianjin Airlines](/source/Tianjin_Airlines) unveiled an [Embraer E-190](/source/Embraer_E-190) jet in special Sina Weibo [livery](/source/livery) and named it "Sina Weibo plane" ({{lang|zh-Hans|新浪微博号}}). It is the first commercial airplane to be named after a website in China.{{cite web |script-title=zh:新浪微博号彩绘飞机亮相 |url=http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/nz/weiboaircraft/index.shtml |access-date=9 June 2011 |archive-date=11 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611182721/http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/nz/weiboaircraft/index.shtml |url-status=live }} ===Villarreal CF=== In January 2012, Sina Weibo also announced that they would be sponsoring Spanish football club [Villarreal CF](/source/Villarreal_CF) for its match against [FC Barcelona](/source/FC_Barcelona), to increase its fanbase in China.{{cite web|title=Villarreal Features Sina Weibo Sponsorship Against Barcelona|date=17 January 2012|url=http://wildeastfootball.net/2012/01/villarreal-features-sina-weibo-sponsorship-against-barcelona/|access-date=26 August 2012|archive-date=8 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008195804/http://wildeastfootball.net/2012/01/villarreal-features-sina-weibo-sponsorship-against-barcelona/|url-status=live}} ===CCTV 2018 New Year's Gala=== On 5 February 2018, Weibo officially announced that it will become the exclusive partner of the New Media Social Platform of the [CCTV Spring Festival Gala](/source/CCTV_Spring_Festival_Gala) in 2018 to attract more Chinese people worldwide to use Weibo.{{Cite web|url=http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2018-02-05/doc-ifyreyvz9181505.shtml?_zbs_baidu_bk|script-title=zh:微博成为央视春晚新媒体社交平台独家合作伙伴|date=5 February 2018|publisher=Sina Corp|access-date=5 March 2018|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306083029/http://tech.sina.com.cn/i/2018-02-05/doc-ifyreyvz9181505.shtml?_zbs_baidu_bk|url-status=live}} ==Statistics== ===Sina Weibo's official accounts=== # Weibo's Secretary: 194,144,293 # Weibo's Service Center: 180,564,151 # Weibo's Staff: 155,444,287 ===Most popular accounts (individuals)=== As of 19 April 2019, the following ten individuals managed the most popular accounts (name handle in parentheses) and the number of followers: # [Xie Na](/source/Xie_Na) (xiena): 125,742,516 # [He Jiong](/source/He_Jiong) (hejiong): 120,013,900 # [Yang Mi](/source/Yang_Mi) (yangmiblog): 107,601,756 # [Angelababy](/source/Angelababy) (realangelababy): 102,212,814 # [Chen Kun](/source/Chen_Kun) (chenkun): 93,456,957 # [Zhao Liying](/source/Zhao_Liying) (zhaoliying): 86,690,864 # [Vicky Zhao](/source/Vicky_Zhao) (zhaowei): 85,650,051 # [Jackson Yee](/source/Jackson_Yee) (yiyangqianxi): 84,620,416 # [Yao Chen](/source/Yao_Chen) (yaochen): 83,811,714 # [Deng Chao](/source/Deng_Chao) (dengchao): 80,972,525 ===Record-setting posts=== On 13 September 2013, the unverified handle "veggieg" (widely believed to be [Faye Wong](/source/Faye_Wong)) posted a message suggesting that she had divorced her husband. The message was commented and re-posted more than a million times in four hours. The record was broken on 31 March 2014 by [Wen Zhang](/source/Wen_Zhang), who posted a long apology admitting an extramarital affair when his wife [Ma Yili](/source/Ma_Yili) was pregnant with their second child. This message was commented and re-posted more than 2.5 million times in 10 hours. (Ma's response generated 2.18 million responses in 12 hours.){{cite web|url=http://huabianshe.baijia.baidu.com/article/9897|script-title=zh:文章道歉声明刷新微博互动记录|date=7 March 2014|access-date=1 April 2014|language=zh|archive-date=2 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402060050/http://huabianshe.baijia.baidu.com/article/9897|url-status=live}} On 22 June 2014, [TFBOYS](/source/TFBOYS) member Wang Junkai was awarded a Guinness World Record title for a Weibo post that was reposted 42,776,438 times.{{Cite web|title = TFBoys star Wang Junkai sets social media record as millions repost Weibo update|date = 22 June 2015|url = http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/6/lead-singer-wang-junkai-of-chinese-boyband-tfboys-gets-record-breaking-number-of-386087|access-date = 9 August 2015|archive-date = 18 October 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171018160313/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/6/lead-singer-wang-junkai-of-chinese-boyband-tfboys-gets-record-breaking-number-of-386087|url-status = live}} [Luhan](/source/Luhan_(singer)) holds the Guinness World Record for most comments.{{Cite web|title = Asian star LUHAN sets the record for most comments on a Weibo post|date = 19 August 2014|url = http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/8/chinese-star-luhan-sets-the-record-for-most-comments-on-a-weibo-post-59720/|access-date = 7 October 2015|archive-date = 9 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151009052259/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/8/chinese-star-luhan-sets-the-record-for-most-comments-on-a-weibo-post-59720|url-status = live}} ==See also== * [FreeWeibo](/source/FreeWeibo) – the uncensored and anonymous version of Sina Weibo, operated by an unaffiliated third party * [List of social networking services](/source/List_of_social_networking_services) * [Tencent Weibo](/source/Tencent_Weibo) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Wikidata property|P3579}} * {{Official website}} {{in lang|zh}} {{Microblogging}} {{Online social networking}} Category:2009 establishments in China Category:Blog hosting services Category:Chinese brands Category:Chinese social networking websites Category:Internet properties established in 2009 Category:Mobile applications Category:Microblogging services Category:Sina Corporation Category:Internet censorship in India Category:Sina Weibo controversies Category:HarmonyOS software Category:IOS software --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Weibo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weibo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weibo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.