China’s New Law Requires Influencers to Have Degrees or Licenses to Post on “Serious” Topics Like Finance, Health, Medicine, and Law

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China now requires influencers to hold a degree, professional license, or certification to post about “serious” topics like finance, health, medicine, law, and education.

The regulation, introduced by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), took effect this month and applies to platforms like Douyin, Weibo, and Bilibili.

Influencers covering these topics must provide proof of expertise, and platforms are responsible for verifying credentials, ensuring proper citations, and adding disclaimers. Non-compliance can result in account suspension, content removal, or fines.

Why it matters: The law aims to reduce misinformation and protect users from harmful advice. A UNESCO study reports that only 36.9% of creators verify information before sharing it, so requiring qualifications could improve accuracy. At the same time, it limits voices who may be valuable but lack formal credentials. There’s an argument on both sides, but it highlights one key point:

Influencers with degrees, licenses, or certifications have a clear edge — they combine authority with influence. For brands that partner with them, this translates to credibility, trust, and reach. For example, a protein company could work with certified nutritionists, or a skincare brand with licensed dermatologists. This is why I’ve been advising brands to bring more of these qualified creators into their networks.

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