Information Quality and Audience Engagement of Cesarean Section-Related Videos on YouTube and Bilibili: A Cross-Platform Analysis

(1) Background: C-section-related health information is increasingly disseminated through short video platforms such as YouTube and Bilibili, yet the quality and audience engagement of this content remain insufficiently understood. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed the top 90 C-section-related videos from each platform (180 total). C-section video characteristics and engagement metrics were collected. Information quality and reliability were assessed using GQS, DISCERN, and JAMA benchmarks. Associations between quality scores and engagement indicators were examined using Spearman’s correlation analysis. (3) Results: YouTube videos were longer and more frequently produced by medical professionals. Although GQS scores were comparable, YouTube content demonstrated higher reliability, with significantly higher DISCERN and JAMA scores (p < 0.001). C-section engagement metrics were strongly intercorrelated but showed weak associations with objective quality measures. (4) Conclusions: Significant cross-platform disparities exist in C-section information quality, with a pronounced dissociation between clinical reliability and audience engagement. This “quality-popularity paradox” underscores a critical mismatch between evidence-based rigor and digital dissemination. Our findings necessitate multi-sectoral interventions, including standardized creator credentialing and algorithm recalibration, to align high-quality obstetric knowledge with public attention.