From October 25, 2025, China introduced an unprecedented system requiring influencers to possess certified diplomas and licenses to create medical, educational, legal, or financial content online. This regulation covers an industry worth 6.7 trillion yuan and may leave hundreds of thousands unemployed.
According to the new rules, digital creators must provide verifiable proof of education or professional qualifications. Platforms such as Douyin, Weibo, and Bilibili are required to check these documents or face heavy penalties and content removal.
This regulation is a culmination of a five-year campaign for greater technological and digital control. Nowhere else in the world is a diploma mandatory for online content creation. Delays in verification have already resulted in account suspensions and major advertising losses.
China’s move follows scandals surrounding fake medical content, financial fraud, and manipulative educational advertising. The regulation, aiming to curb unqualified influencers, also introduces strict political and ideological oversight of digital media platforms.
The impact may be profound, not only for creators and agencies but for the economy: tech investment has fallen, e-commerce is at risk, and innovation may slow. Research indicates that diplomas do not guarantee quality content, underlining the political role of the new policy.
