Is Facebook Easier to Use than WeChat?: A Critical Comparative Analysis of Interface Features of WeChat and Facebook

Abstract

Given the dominant role that Facebook and WeChat play in their respective contexts, researchers have explored users' behavior and uses of these two globally leading social networking sites (SNSs). However, there is scant research comparing the interface features of these two SNSs and their contextual interactions within and across cultures. Utilizing Sun's "culturally localized user experience"(CLUE) framework [27, 28], this study employs critical data analysis to investigate the defining interface features of Facebook and WeChat in four sections of moments/status, official accounts, digital currency, and group chat. Our study expands the understanding of cultural considerations in interface design and encourages factoring contextualized use of technology and the sociological approach to interface design. The findings reveal cultural and local differences are the driving force for the unique interface features of the two SNSs and highlight "glocalization"(mixing forces into local elements) in SNS design [27].