Weibo (微博) : The real-time feed where China's breaking news, celebrity posts and trending debates unfold.

Sina launched Weibo in 2009 as China's answer to Twitter, a microblog where short posts carry photos, clips and live streams.

Users follow verified accounts, repost and comment, and check the hot-search list ranking the day's most-discussed topics.

News agencies and celebrities post statements on Weibo as their primary outlet. Reading the site works overseas, but signing up to post requires a mainland China phone number.

The parent firm has traded on the NASDAQ since its 2014 stock debut.

Can brands advertise on Weibo from overseas?

You bet. Weibo offers overseas advertising via its official Ads platform. International brands must cooperate with a Chinese advertising agency or set up a Chinese business entity. Ad formats include feed ads, trending topic sponsorships, and KOL collaborations.

Is Weibo still popular in China?

Absolutely. Weibo has roughly 600M MAU and remains the primary platform for celebrity news, trending topics, and public discourse. However, younger users are shifting to Douyin, Bilibili, and Xiaohongshu. Weibo remains dominant for real-time news and brand marketing.

Is Weibo content censored?

For sure. Weibo actively censors posts containing politically sensitive topics, using automated filters and human moderators. Certain keywords are blocked entirely. Accounts can be suspended or shadow-banned for violating content guidelines. This is mandated by Chinese internet regulations.

How is Weibo different from Twitter?

Weibo is more visual and commercial than Twitter. It heavily integrates e-commerce, live streaming, and short videos. Weibo's trending topics are curated and influenced by paid promotions. The character limit is 2,000 vs. Twitter's 280. Content is censored per Chinese law.

Can I use Weibo without a Chinese phone number?

Weibo now requires a verified Chinese mobile number for full access, including posting and commenting. Overseas users can register with an international number but face restricted functionality. Browsing public content without an account is still possible.