Gendered Disinformation, Algorithmic silence and Feminist Resilience on China’s Social Media Platforms

Gendered disinformation affects online discussions about gender, reshaping whose voices are amplified and whose are marginalized. While existing literature in Western contexts has shown that online harassment and false information often target women and feminist actors, little is known about these behaviors in China, where social media platforms are influenced both by algorithms and political regulations. Drawing on 22 in-depth interviews with feminist scholars, activists, and content creators, also including 6 months of observing posts, comments and interactions on mainstream platforms like Rednote, Weibo and Douyin, I find that feminist voices were often misrepresented, accused falsely, or targeted by coordinated harassment. Many attacks used personal insults or questioned the credibility of feminist ideas. Gendered disinformation often described feminist ideas as harmful to society or influenced by foreign forces, linking online gender debates to nationalist and stability-focused messages. My analysis of comment sections and trending content further reveals that anti-feminist messages spread rapidly, often amplified by algorithmic recommendations that broaden their reach. In contrast, posts by feminist actors were often removed, hidden, or limited in reach. Feminist actors used meme language to avoid deletion by sharing messages through visual posts or short videos, and carefully chose whom to reply to. Some moved discussions to other platforms or private groups to continue conversations safely. These strategies helped keep feminist ideas visible and make participants support each other. Gendered disinformation in China does not come only from individual users. It is shaped by platform design, political messages, and social practices. Algorithms, moderation rules, and public narratives affect who can speak and who is silenced. Listening to feminist actors shows how these forces are experienced in everyday life. The study also shows how people adapt to online risks and find ways to resist harassment.