Recent reports have highlighted that video platform Bilibili Inc. (BILI) has been recommending inappropriate content to minors on certain recommendation pages. An investigation using an account registered as a minor found that, in logged-out states and specific keyword search scenarios, the platform recommends a large volume of content with suggestive titles. Furthermore, the system continuously suggests new, borderline keywords in the search box, guiding users to persistently search for related material.
The issue of suggestive content is not limited to minors; it also troubles adult users of the platform. Several long-time users believe there are problems with Bilibili's recommendation and review mechanisms. They report instances such as seeking relaxing videos at night only to encounter numerous suggestive clips, or receiving recommendations for suggestive figurines and live streams despite primarily watching content from knowledge-sharing and film commentary channels, even with a female user profile. Many users are also frustrated by accounts selling explicit content, with several noting that these "spam" accounts can compromise or disrupt normal user accounts.
Analysts argue that the internet is not a lawless space, and platforms aggregating anime and related content should uphold stricter content standards. Regardless of whether a minor mode is activated, or if a user's status is hidden through a new registration or logged-out state, Bilibili should demonstrate a conscious effort to maintain integrity. The seemingly difficult-to-manage scenarios of "new accounts" or "logged-out states" could be addressed by recommending high-quality content to retain users, rather than using suggestive material to attract them. This approach, to some extent, reflects Bilibili's anxiety regarding user engagement and expansion.
Search Box Keyword Suggestions Promote Borderline Content
The investigation using an account registered with a 2019 birthdate found that the homepage recommendation section displayed numerous videos unsuitable for minors. These videos used titles emphasizing terms like "large scale," "limit-pushing approval," "real material," "uncut footage," and "close contact" to entice clicks. The volume of such content increased notably after scrolling past the first screen.
Consumer complaints on public platforms also reflect this issue. Some users reported that after registering a new Bilibili account for a minor and selecting interests like "soccer," the homepage still displayed疑似 suggestive content. Others stated that even in a logged-out state, the homepage recommended疑似 pornographic information.
Bilibili's search settings also appear to direct traffic toward borderline content. After searching for the keyword "forbidden desire," the system continuously suggested new keywords in the search box, including "chest squeeze," "bed yoga," "strong desire if line," "nina supermodel," and "Xinnai swimsuit." Clicking these searches reveals more content of a suggestive nature. Each time a user returns, the system provides new related keywords. Even after searching for the keyword "soccer," the system continues to recommend暗示性 keywords unsuitable for minors.
Furthermore, multiple users reported that the frequency of suggestive content appearing on Bilibili is higher during evening hours.
In response to these issues, Bilibili customer service stated: "We are committed to working with our vast user community to create a healthy and civilized online community. We consistently and firmly resist and strictly govern all types of违规 content, including vulgarity and soft pornography. Videos on the platform are reviewed by relevant staff. If a video content issue is found, you can click to report it, and relevant staff will verify it after the report."
Customer service suggested that if users are uninterested in homepage recommendations, they can click the three dots in the lower right corner of the corresponding video and select the "not interested" option. Simultaneously, users can watch more of their preferred videos and like, coin, or favorite them, which will help the recommendation system continuously improve and optimize. Regarding minors potentially accessing suggestive content, customer service indicated that if a minor is using the service, the未成年人 mode can be enabled in the App, and an age can be set. In this mode, content recommendations are restricted.
Content Review Described as Alarmingly Lax
In fact, even before this exposure of suggestive content being pushed to minors, some users had expressed dissatisfaction with Bilibili.
"The current Bilibili is not the Bilibili of the past," one long-time user直言 on social media, advising others to "use Bilibili less, especially don't let kids play on Bilibili."
"The current review is alarmingly lax," the user stated, noting that Bilibili's moderation is now too lenient, with significant issues in comment sections. "Whether it's pet videos or gaming videos, there are often 'spam sellers' in the comments, and clicking the homepage link leads to pornographic sites." "以前 Bilibili didn't have this, it only became more common later. Reporting only results in comment deletion and increased monitoring, not account suspension, so they continue posting afterward." This user warned parents, "Bilibili has many anime series that many children watch. We remind all parents to be vigilant."
Those troubled by suggestive content include not only minors but also adult users of Bilibili.
"When I first started using Bilibili in 2021, I never came across suggestive content. Now it's everywhere," remarked several veteran users who believe the platform's current recommendation and审核 mechanisms are flawed. "In recent years,垃圾 content has also increased. You can only use it with a clear purpose," "At night, when I want to watch助眠 videos, there's a ton of suggestive stuff. Reporting is useless," "I watch content from knowledge zones and film解说 videos, and I have a female account, yet I still get recommendations for suggestive figurines and suggestive live streams."
Moreover, many users are extremely annoyed by accounts on Bilibili selling explicit content. Several users indicated that these spam accounts can also disable normal active accounts. "I blocked them all, then Bilibili said my account was high-risk and required实名 verification to continue using it," "After blocking and reporting the spam accounts following me, the平台封了我的号 in May."
On consumer complaint platforms, some users have demanded refunds for their membership fees due to dissatisfaction with Bilibili's content quality. One consumer stated they renewed their annual Bilibili "Big Member" subscription on December 12, 2024, but later found the弹幕 environment deteriorating, with the homepage frequently recommending suggestive and恶心 videos due to lax platform审核. This, they argued,严重不符 with the Big Member service's obligation to provide "positive and effective content support and technical support."
The consumer, wishing to discontinue the membership, requested a refund for the unused annual fee multiple times. However, Bilibili客服 consistently refused, citing terms in the service agreement: "Once the Big Member service is activated, it is non-transferable and non-refundable. If you do not accept the Big Member service, you may stop using it or stop renewing it."
Since its 2018 listing, Bilibili首次实现全年盈利 in 2025. On May 19 this year, Bilibili announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026, reporting another profitable quarter.
Bilibili began focusing deeply on user "quality" in 2025. Financial reports show that in Q4 2025, Bilibili's average daily active users (DAU) reached 113 million, and average monthly active users (MAU) reached 366 million. More importantly, average daily usage time increased to 107 minutes. In Q1 2026, user average daily usage time on Bilibili reached 119 minutes, a year-on-year increase of 19%, setting a new historical high.
Analysts believe this indicates users are more willing to stay, presenting opportunities for advertisers, game developers, and value for Big Members seeking exclusive content.
Industry commentator Zhang Shule noted that Bilibili was previously criticized for "midnight狂欢," involving heavy推送 of suggestive content late at night. The recent exposure of推送 such content to minor accounts显然不止 is a matter of insufficient regulatory细致. Compared to other short-video and live-streaming platforms trending towards all-age appropriateness, the破圈的 Bilibili, due to its二次元属性, has a generally younger user base including many minors, as anime content hubs最容易 attract青少年. Therefore, regardless of未成年人 mode status or hidden identity through new registrations/logged-out states, Bilibili should have the自觉 to "洁身自好."
Zhang Shule pointed out that the internet is not beyond the law, and anime content aggregation platforms must have more严谨 content取向. The seemingly hard-to-manage "new accounts/logged-out states"完全可以 be addressed by recommending优质内容 to retain users, not suggestive material to拉客. This某种程度上 reflects Bilibili's anxiety over user黏性和 expansion. Additionally, the platform could conduct targeted checks based on未成年人 usage patterns—for instance, accounts with login and usage concentrated after school, on holidays, or during寒暑假 exhibit certain "minor" characteristics. Such accounts could receive risk warnings or二次确认. The implementation threshold for these methods is not high. Bilibili's repeated errors suggest it is not incapable but rather unwilling to act.
At the event celebrating the 17th anniversary of Bilibili's founding in June 2026, Chairman and CEO Chen Rui delivered a speech themed "Let Good Content Happen." He stated that even in an era of content surplus, users still crave优质内容, and the Bilibili community is the best soil for such content.
"High-quality content is the most effective way for content platforms to achieve sustained growth," Chen Rui asserted. He believes that in today's landscape of极其丰富 content supply, attracting attention only brings短期流量. Retaining memory and creating mindshare lead to长期留存.优质内容 is worth investing time and trust in, allowing users to form长期记忆, making it an undoubted稀缺品.
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