Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of WeChat Moments, revealing that 120 million users still share content daily, indicating that the platform remains a vital social space in China despite perceptions of inactivity [3][4]. User Engagement - Daily, 780 million users access Moments, with 120 million actively sharing content, demonstrating that the platform is far from "dying" [3]. - The feeling of fewer posts is attributed to the "information cocoon" effect, where increased friend numbers dilute the content shared [4]. Changes in Sharing Behavior - Users are now more selective about what to share due to the presence of colleagues, family, and acquaintances, leading to a more curated sharing experience [5]. - The absence of visitor tracking and editing features reflects WeChat's understanding of social pressures, aiming to reduce the burden on users [5]. Product Philosophy - WeChat maintains that Moments should serve as a genuine record of life rather than a platform for performance, emphasizing authenticity over perfection [6]. - The decision to not recycle inactive accounts shows a commitment to preserving memories for the deceased, allowing friends and family to revisit shared moments [5]. Future Considerations - The article suggests that users should return to the essence of sharing, focusing on genuine connections rather than external validation, to revitalize the platform [6].

Core Insights - The podcast from "WeChat派" discusses the decline in users posting on Moments and the handling of deceased users' accounts, indicating a shift in social media behavior and platform policies [1][3]. Group 1: User Engagement and Features - WeChat's public relations director stated that Moments will not introduce visitor features to avoid increasing social pressure on users [3]. - The platform is unlikely to implement a secondary editing function for Moments, as it serves as a historical record of a person's life, which should not be easily altered [3]. Group 2: Account Management Policies - Starting from September 2023, WeChat will no longer recycle accounts that have been inactive for a long time, addressing concerns raised by users about losing access to deceased relatives' accounts [3]. - In response to a viral incident in February 2023 regarding a deceased user's account disappearing, WeChat confirmed that inactive accounts without funds would be deactivated for security reasons [4]. Group 3: WeChat's Growth and Ecosystem - WeChat's ecosystem includes Moments, Official Accounts, Mini Programs, Video Accounts, and WeChat Shops, with significant growth in user engagement and transaction volume over the years [6]. - As of Q1 2025, WeChat and WeChat's combined monthly active users reached 1.402 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3% and a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1% [6].

Core Insights - The recent update of WeChat to version 8.0.64 has sparked discussions about the deletion of mutual friends and the visibility of interactions in the Moments feature, with users expressing mixed feelings about the changes [1] - The update continues WeChat's strategy of incremental improvements, focusing on social management, operational efficiency, and interface aesthetics [1] - A significant change in this version allows users to retain chat history even after deleting friends, which can be done through a specific setting [1] User Reactions - Many users have commented positively on the ability to forget past interactions, suggesting it helps in moving on from relationships [1] - There is a notable emotional response from users regarding the permanence of digital interactions, especially in the context of loss and the potential disappearance of accounts after death [5][8] Account Management - WeChat's customer service has clarified that accounts may be recycled if not logged in for an extended period, typically over a year, to ensure security [8] - If an account is recycled, all content, including Moments, profile pictures, and signatures, will be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered [10] - Users are advised to regularly log in to maintain account activity and back up important data to external storage devices [10] WeChat Ecosystem - WeChat was launched in January 2011, with significant features like Moments and WeChat Official Accounts introduced in 2012 [10] - As of now, WeChat's ecosystem includes Moments, Official Accounts, Mini Programs, Video Accounts, and WeChat Stores [10] - From 2017 to 2021, Mini Programs saw substantial growth, with daily active users increasing from over 100 million to over 500 million, and transaction volume rising from over 500 billion to around 10 trillion [10] - According to Tencent's Q1 2025 financial report, the combined monthly active users of WeChat and WeChat reached 1.402 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 3% and a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1% [10]

Core Viewpoint - The introduction of the new "folded Moments" feature on WeChat aims to enhance user experience by reducing the clutter of repetitive posts, particularly from businesses and marketers, while also addressing the decline in user engagement on the platform [1][24][26]. Group 1: User Experience and Engagement - The folded Moments feature consolidates multiple posts from the same user into a single entry, allowing users to click to view all content if desired [3][5]. - Users have mixed reactions to the new feature, with some expressing frustration over missing out on friends' travel updates due to the folding [6][8]. - The feature is seen as a response to the growing dissatisfaction among users who have turned to other platforms for sharing personal moments, leading to a decline in WeChat's user engagement [20][21][24]. Group 2: Business and Marketing Implications - The folding mechanism is intended to improve the quality of content shared on the platform, pushing businesses and marketers to enhance their posts or shift to paid advertising [26][28]. - The cost per thousand impressions (CPM) for Moments ads is estimated to be between 20 to 50 yuan, indicating a potential increase in advertising revenue as low-quality marketing content is reduced [26][27]. - The adjustment in user engagement metrics, such as the average daily time spent on WeChat, reflects a strategic shift in how the company views its user base and the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem [24][25][26]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - WeChat's user engagement has been challenged by short video platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, which have begun to capture the attention of users who previously relied on WeChat for social sharing [24][25]. - The decision to stop disclosing average daily time spent on WeChat in favor of highlighting video account usage suggests a shift in focus towards video content as a means of retaining users [24][26]. - The folding feature is part of a broader strategy to reclaim user attention and prevent further loss of high-value users to competing platforms [26][32].