Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the detrimental impact of the current trending topics on social media, particularly focusing on the entertainment industry, which has overshadowed significant societal issues and public interests [1][3]. Group 1: Issues with Trending Topics - Social media platforms like Kuaishou and Weibo have been criticized for prioritizing trivial celebrity news over important societal matters, leading to a skewed representation of public discourse [1][3]. - The focus on entertainment content is driven by the pursuit of traffic and commercial interests, as celebrity news attracts large audiences and generates significant engagement [3][4]. - This trend has resulted in the marginalization of critical issues such as policy discussions, technological advancements, and public welfare concerns, which are essential for a balanced information ecosystem [3][4]. Group 2: Consequences of Entertainment-Centric Content - The proliferation of low-quality information can diminish users' critical thinking abilities, leading to a culture of superficial engagement and a lack of awareness regarding real-world issues [4][6]. - Culturally, the excessive focus on celebrity gossip contributes to a decline in the quality of public discourse, hindering the dissemination of valuable cultural and serious content [4]. - The chaotic environment created by the dominance of entertainment news disrupts the normal order of public opinion and can incite negative behaviors, such as online conflicts among fan groups [4][6]. Group 3: Regulatory and Platform Responsibilities - Recent penalties imposed on platforms are seen as a strong warning against the ongoing issues related to trending topics, emphasizing the need for platforms to reassess their content management responsibilities [4][6]. - There is a call for stricter regulations to ensure that platforms are held accountable for the content they promote, with an emphasis on prioritizing social issues, technological innovation, and cultural development [4][6]. - The article advocates for a shift in focus for trending topics, suggesting that they should serve as a catalyst for social progress rather than a mere entertainment showcase [6].

Core Insights - AI search is emerging as a key competitive area among global tech giants, with Weibo recognizing its potential early on [1][2] - Weibo's Q2 2025 earnings report shows total revenue of $444.8 million, approximately 3.2 billion RMB, and adjusted operating profit of $161.8 million, about 1.16 billion RMB, exceeding Wall Street expectations [1][3] - The stock price of Weibo surged by 11.28% in the US market and over 11% in Hong Kong following the earnings announcement, reaching a new high since November 2023 [1][3] - Weibo's AI-driven intelligent search, Weibo Zhiso, has shown significant growth, with over 50 million active users in June [1][3][10] Growth Potential - Weibo Zhiso's monthly active users grew significantly, with a compound growth rate of 41.7% in the first half of 2025, ranking second among top applications [3][12] - The integration of AI search is expected to enhance user experience and engagement, potentially increasing the platform's core operational metrics [11][12] - Weibo aims to leverage its content ecosystem to differentiate its AI search capabilities, enhancing user satisfaction and retention [7][8] Market Positioning - The evolution of search from keyword matching to AI-driven understanding of user intent marks a significant shift in the industry [4][5] - Weibo's content community provides a unique advantage in data quality and timeliness, essential for AI training and user engagement [6][7] - The integration of Weibo Zhiso with existing features like trending topics creates a synergistic effect, enhancing user understanding of complex information [15][16] Commercialization Strategy - Weibo Zhiso is positioned as a core product for driving the next phase of growth, moving beyond traditional advertising models to a diversified approach [11][12] - The AI search tool is expected to facilitate a new revenue model by integrating advertising with service and data offerings [12][13] - The platform's ability to provide structured answers rather than just links enhances its value proposition in the competitive landscape [10][11] User Engagement - Weibo Zhiso aims to lower the barriers for users to understand complex topics, transforming the user experience from passive information consumption to active inquiry [15][16] - The tool's design allows for the presentation of diverse viewpoints on contentious issues, potentially improving the quality of community discussions [16][17] - By creating a dynamic knowledge repository, Weibo Zhiso seeks to enhance user loyalty and engagement on the platform [25][26]