What is Momo in RedNote(xiaohongshu)

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The mysterious Momo on RedNote.

On RedNote(Xiaohongshu), you will often see the same pink little dinosaur and the name "Momo" appear in posts or comments.
This group, the "Momo Army," has always been quite mysterious within the RedNote(Xiaohongshu) community.

质疑momo，理解momo，成为momo！
Question Momo, understand Momo, become Momo!

A large number of Momo avatars are also used by Chinese netizens to represent a variety of emotions, serving as "emoji faces."

from Momo

The first batch of Momo avatars was authorized by WeChat. When users log in to social platforms like Xiaohongshu or Zhihu using WeChat, if they don't choose a custom nickname or avatar, the platform provides default options. The little dinosaur avatar and Momo nickname are automatically generated.

Momo and WeChat can be said to have an inseparable connection. You can try scrolling to the bottom of an article, click "Write a Comment," and you'll notice a green switch button next to the nickname. After clicking it, you can create a new identity. If you choose to generate it randomly, you’ll have the chance to officially become a Momo.

Today, Momo’s popularity has ironically attracted many netizens who were originally not Momo users to change their avatars and nicknames and join the "party." Many people’s attitude towards Momo has shifted from doubt to understanding, and eventually to active participation, enjoying it endlessly.

At the same time, Momo's "secondary creation" trend has emerged. Netizens started to combine Momo with other hot topics, naming them "Ultraman Momo," "Wild Momo," "Momo Hangzhou Edition," and so on, turning their avatars into colorful little dinosaurs. This "cross-over" meme play has spread across various social platforms, further expanding the Momo community.

In fact, internet group IDs have existed for a long time, and Momo is not the first to introduce this concept. Just like the “Anonymous” or “Guest” labels popular on early forums, or QQ’s "Sunshine Boy" and other types of usernames, the focus is on having “no distinct identity.” When a large number of netizens start acting under a collective identity or group name, these common symbols unintentionally foster anonymous alliances in online spaces, with the primary characteristic being anonymity.

For example, Momo users are very active in comment sections, but based solely on their nickname or avatar, it’s difficult for outsiders to distinguish who is who. However, if you peel away this neat "mask," you'll find that Momo users have diverse identities in real life, coming from different regions and having different IP addresses. I randomly visited several Momo user profiles, and some are fashionable beauty bloggers, others share study-abroad experiences or provide advice for postgraduate exams, while some are artistic photographers, showcasing a wide variety of faces.

References form: https://news.qq.com/rain/a/20240130A0734E00

Momo is a unique corner of solitude in this virtual world for internet users. There is a strong request for everyone not to use Momo's cute and harmless image to slander or attack others. Please cherish and protect this unique symbol.

注意：目前很多内容是自己在整理，机翻，亟需有能力的朋友加入进来，正确客观的翻译。当前有些引用内容或如果翻译有错，希望及时纠正指出。