Thread by @JoshuaTai0427

A thread on WeChat

Have you ever wondered why $TCEHY’s ‘WeChat’ is called a ‘Super App’? What are some main WeChat functions are there? What can WeChat do? Here is a thread on the main features of the powerful, WeChat, the origin of all ‘Super Apps’.

Let’s get started! 👇👇

1. Chat
Like all other communication apps, WeChat allows people to message and chat with others similar to $FB’s messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. WeChat also allows people to make calls and video calls, fulfilling all communication needs.

2. Group Chat
WeChat’s group chat is regularly used to connect with people, who may or may not be your WeChat friend but has a common interest with you. For example, WeChat group chat is commonly used between Chinese international students to meet new friends.

3. WeChat Moments
WeChat moments allow people to share their life with friends. This feature is very similar to your $FB and Instagram feed, where you can view your friends’ regularly posts. Similarly, You can like, comment, and interact with your friends posts on WeChat Moments

3.1 An interesting feature of WeChat Moment is that if A is a WeChat friend with B, and B is a friend with C, but A and C are not friends, when A likes/comments on a post made by B, C would not see that A has liked and commented on B’s posts, ensuring individual privacy.

4. WeChat Subscription
WeChat have a designated interface for WeChat Subscription accounts, which are usually official accounts run by content creators that posts articles. WeChat users can follow the accounts they like and receive updates when they post a new article.

4.1 You can think about WeChat Subscription as a ‘twitter designated tab’ which includes all the articles written by the people you followed on @Fintwit, allowing you to easily access their articles.

5. WeChat Top Stories
WeChat Top Stories is a designated tab for personalized article recommendations like WeChat subscriptions, however it may include articles published by accounts that you have not followed but WeChat thinks that it may interest you or is liked by your friend

6. WeChat Channels
WeChat Channels is a designated tab allowing content creators to upload short form videos. You can think of WeChat Channels as WeChat’s version of TikTok, but with a worse user interface and personalised algorithm.

7. WeChat Pay
WeChat allows you to have an electronic wallet within your phone with WeChat pay. WeChat pay allows people to pay simply by scanning a bar code either face to face or remotely. Within WeChat Pay it allows easy access to wealth management, saving money with interest

7.1 Below is a list of some functions within WeChat pay, including mobile top up, paying utilities bills, QQ coins, public services, health, buying rail & flights tickets, shopping on $JD or $PDD, buying event tickets and many more.

7.2 Most stores in China nowadays accept payments from WeChat pay, as it becomes the top 2 wallets for Chinese with Alipay. In a way, WeChat pay is what $SQ is trying to build, an integrated electronic payment system, replacing your bank accounts and hard wallet.

8. Mini-Programs
Mini-Programs within WeChat allows you to access other apps within WeChat. For example, you can access Weibo, Zhihu, $JD, $BILI, $PDD, Meituan, $DIDI, and even read the bible. However, sometimes the functions are not comprehensive within WeChat mini programs.

8.1 Mini programs are one main reason that contributes to making WeChat so powerful, as $TCEHY can effectively know where all WeChat users go.

8.2 Moreover, some WeChat users only use WeChat mini-program and do not download the actual app. For example, users use $DIDI mini program for ride sharing on WeChat, but do not download the $DIDI app. This effectively gives $TCEHY a lot of control over the traffic flow.

9. WeRun
WeRun is a function where people can know how many steps they have walked in a day. Every day, WeRun generate a scoreboard (like a Strava leaderboard for runners out there) comparing how many ‘steps’ you have taken in comparison with your WeChat friends.

9.1 Although the measurement may not be very accurate, this feature is particularly popular within older generations, as they use this as an indirect way to track their ‘health’ and have friendly walking competition with their WeChat friends.

10. WeChat Sticker Gallery
Lastly, a fun one, WeChat has a range of stickers and gifs, and even a designated store allowing you to purchase the stickers you want. Interestingly, you can even make your own sticker/gif within WeChat!

Conclusion
WeChat strives to be a combination of $FB, instagram, messenger, $SQ, Tiktok, Strava and many more all in one. On top of these, the mini app essentially allow you to run most apps within WeChat. WeChat is in every way a SUPER APP.

@LiviamCapital @iramneek @borrowed_ideas @JordsNel @BuyandHoldd @reshoftc @mukund Find you guys might be interested in WeChat and $TCEHY!