Navigating Visibility on Weibo Among People Living With HIV: Qualitative Study

This study highlights the layered and cyclical nature of visibility in online health communities, which we conceptualize through a visibility ladder model. Self-visibility promotes personal growth, health self-management, and psychological resilience but also introduces risks of self-stigmatization and emotional exhaustion. Social visibility strengthens peer support and shared identity while exposing individuals to privacy breaches and misinformation. Public visibility empowers collective action and advocacy, yet is constrained by persistent societal stigma and platform algorithms that limit audience reach. Future efforts should prioritize enhancing eHealth literacy, strengthening privacy protections, and promoting inclusive, stigma-reducing digital environments to optimize the benefits of visibility and mitigate its potential harms.