Shanghai Cracks Down on Online Property Market Pessimism as Sector Faces Ongoing Pressure
Shanghai authorities have launched a sweeping campaign against online content that portrays the property market in an overly negative or misleading light, as concerns about China’s struggling real estate sector continue to linger. The move comes at a time when two major data providers have recently scaled back the release of updated sales figures for leading developers, adding to unease among buyers and investors.
The Shanghai branch of the Cyberspace Administration of China announced that it has directed major digital platforms, including RedNote and Bilibili, to remove posts and videos that regulators say distort or exaggerate the state of the housing market. RedNote and Bilibili, popular among younger users and widely compared to Instagram and YouTube, have become influential spaces where commentary on the property sector spreads quickly.
According to the regulator, the campaign began in mid November and aims to stop what it describes as doom mongering content that could worsen public sentiment or undermine market confidence. The authorities said they are targeting posts that intentionally misinterpret official data, circulate rumors or promote exaggerated predictions of collapse. They stressed that while constructive discussion is permitted, content that stirs panic or spreads misinformation must be removed.
So far, the crackdown has led to the deletion of about forty thousand posts, the closure of seventy thousand accounts and the suspension of twelve hundred live streaming rooms. The regulator shared these figures on Tuesday through its official WeChat account, saying that the effort is part of broader measures to stabilize expectations in the housing market and protect consumers from misleading claims.
The campaign comes against the backdrop of a prolonged property downturn that has heavily affected developers, local governments and homeowners. Falling sales, tighter credit conditions and delayed construction projects have contributed to ongoing anxiety. Many online creators have posted commentary reflecting dissatisfaction, uncertainty or concerns about further price declines, prompting officials to worry that unchecked pessimism could accelerate the slowdown.
Shanghai authorities emphasized that the goal is not to silence critical views but to ensure that public discussion is based on accurate information. They added that online platforms have a responsibility to prevent the spread of content that may distort market conditions or negatively influence public behavior. Platforms were instructed to improve monitoring systems, strengthen fact checking and take quicker action against harmful posts.
Industry analysts note that the campaign reflects the central government’s broader effort to restore confidence in the real estate sector, which remains a key pillar of China’s economy. By managing online narratives and curbing excessive pessimism, officials hope to create a more stable environment for buyers and developers as policy makers introduce measures aimed at supporting the market.
However, some observers say the underlying challenges facing the housing sector will require long term solutions beyond content regulation. They point to structural issues such as high debt levels among developers, demographic shifts and slower economic growth as factors that must be addressed to secure a genuine recovery.
For now, Shanghai’s move signals a continued push to manage public sentiment while the property market remains under pressure.
