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China’s state broadcaster CCTV has just blown the lid off a long-rumoured secret—Weibo’s popularity rankings might not be as real as they seem. In a bombshell 15-minute report, CCTV accused artists, their teams, and fanbases of faking engagement by inflating likes, reposts, and other metrics to appear more popular.
Anyone active on Weibo knows this practice exists, but this is the first time a major media outlet has publicly called it out.
CCTV’s report featured multiple artists’ posts as examples, though their identities were blurred out.
The Dark Side of Weibo Popularity
According to the report, many artists use data manipulation to stay relevant.
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Engagement numbers are often artificially inflated through mass buying of likes and reposts, making it seem like a celebrity is more popular than they really are.
CCTV didn’t just stop at accusations—they broke down exactly how this falsification is carried out.
From bot farms to organised fan campaigns, the video detailed various methods used to game the system.
Fanbases and Artist Teams Under Fire
The criticism isn’t just aimed at individual artists but also at their management teams and fan clubs.
Many fanbases actively participate in these engagement-boosting schemes, believing it will help their idols secure endorsements and projects.
This revelation has sparked intense discussion online, with many netizens expressing frustration over how manipulated the entertainment industry has become.
Some argue that it’s an open secret, while others are calling for stricter regulations to prevent data fraud.
What’s Next for Weibo and the Industry?
With CCTV bringing this issue into the spotlight, it remains to be seen whether Weibo or industry regulators will take action.
Will this lead to real change, or will the cycle of faking engagement continue behind the scenes?
One thing is clear—CCTV’s exposé has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, and fans are now questioning just how "real" their favourite idols’ popularity actually is.
Scandal! Chinese TV CCTV Reveals How Stars Fake Popularity on Weibo https://t.co/GyRUmb5xGC pic.twitter.com/v7mWblvB4m
— Tonboriday (@tonboriday) March 22, 2025