Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of AI companionship applications, particularly focusing on DeepSeek, which has gained popularity among users seeking emotional support and companionship [1][12][30]. Industry Overview - The AI emotional companionship market in China is projected to grow from 3.866 billion yuan in 2025 to 59.506 billion yuan by 2028, with the global market expected to exceed 300 billion USD by 2028 [30]. - The shift in consumer behavior among young people is moving from functional and practical product needs to emotional fulfillment, leading to the emergence of emotional consumption [30]. Company Developments - Major AI companionship applications like "筑梦岛" (Dream Island), "星野" (Starry Sky), and "猫箱" (Cat Box) have integrated DeepSeek's model to enhance user experience, requiring users to purchase memberships or pay per use for access to advanced features [31][18]. - The competitive landscape has seen early AI companionship apps face challenges, leading to many shutting down due to operational costs and regulatory pressures [16]. User Experience - Users report that AI companions like DeepSeek provide emotional stability and support, helping them manage stress and anxiety, which contributes to the appeal of these applications [7][10]. - The process of customizing AI companions can be time-consuming but rewarding, as users feel a sense of accomplishment in shaping their virtual partners [30]. Market Challenges - Despite the growth potential, the domestic AI companionship industry faces hurdles in privacy protection, content compliance, and the need for sustainable business models [33]. - User retention has become a challenge, with reports indicating a stagnation in user growth since April, highlighting the need for improved engagement strategies [33].

Core Insights - Momo, once a leading social app, is facing significant challenges as evidenced by its parent company, Zhihu Group, reporting a total revenue of 10.563 billion, a year-on-year decline of 11.99%, and a net profit of only 1.04 billion, down 46.89% [2] - The decline in Momo's performance reflects a broader trend in the stranger social networking sector, where no new giants have emerged to replace it, indicating a shift in user preferences towards "light social" interactions [2][6] Industry Trends - The mobile internet landscape is shifting, with short video and chat applications dominating user engagement; average daily usage time for short videos is 138.4 minutes compared to 68.5 minutes for chat applications [3] - Community social applications have seen a growth rate of 9.2% in monthly usage time, aligning with the rise of platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, which cater to younger users' preferences for low-cost, emotionally rewarding social interactions [5] User Behavior Changes - A survey indicated that 77.4% of young respondents believe "light social" interactions are becoming more common, with 81.9% of those from the post-2000 generation agreeing [5] - Young users are increasingly favoring platforms that allow for interest-based connections over traditional stranger social apps, which focus on quick matching [6][7] Challenges for Stranger Social Apps - Despite the rise of interest-based social products, many have failed to achieve sustainable growth, with examples like Jimo and QQ's interest community shutting down [8][9] - The core issue for stranger social apps lies in their inability to create a rich content environment that fosters genuine interest-based connections, leading to user disengagement [11] Economic Factors - The "loneliness economy" has led to a rise in alternative companionship options, such as pet ownership and AI companionship, which are increasingly preferred by young people over traditional social networking [14][12] - The commercial viability of stranger social apps is under scrutiny, as evidenced by Momo's declining revenue from live streaming services, which fell by 22.6% to 16.1% from 2020 to 2024 [15][17] Commercialization Issues - The monetization strategies of stranger social apps often fail to resonate with users, leading to a lack of willingness to pay for services that do not guarantee quality interactions [18] - The disparity in user expectations based on gender has created a challenging environment for monetization, with many male users feeling exploited in the pursuit of female attention [18][19]