Cross-platform assessment of short-form video quality on the gut–liver axis: informational integrity and engagement disparity

Objective The gut–liver axis has emerged as a pivotal focus in hepatology and metabolic disease research. However, the quality of public-facing health information, particularly in short-form video content, remains largely unexamined. Methods Between January 2021 and October 2025, we systematically screened and analyzed 210 short videos (70 per platform) on the gut–liver axis. Basic metadata were extracted, and video quality was assessed using three validated tools: the modified DISCERN instrument, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, and Global Quality Score (GQS). Pearson correlation was used to explore associations between video metrics and quality scores. Results Bilibili videos showed the highest educational quality (mean GQS: 3.79), while TikTok videos had greater engagement (median likes: 74.00). Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals scored significantly higher across all quality measures (SUM score: 9.03 vs 3.87, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between engagement metrics and content quality. Conclusion A misalignment exists between user engagement and informational quality in gut–liver-related short videos. Content from verified health professionals delivers superior educational value yet remains algorithmically underprioritized. Efforts to enhance digital health communication should focus on promoting expert-led content, verifying source credentials, and integrating quality-weighted algorithms.