How to Scrape WeChat Friend Signatures with Python and Visualize Them as Word Clouds

This article demonstrates how to use the Python itchat library to scrape WeChat friends' personal signatures, save them to a local text file, and visualize the most frequent words with a word cloud.

Step 1: Capture signatures

The provided code (see image) logs into WeChat, iterates over the contact list, extracts each friend's signature, and writes the results to a TXT file.

Step 2: Verify the output file

After running the script, a text file containing all captured signatures is generated (example shown below).

The first line is the author's own signature; subsequent lines follow the order of the WeChat address book. Entries without a signature are skipped.

Step 3: Search for a specific signature

You can open the TXT file and search for any friend's signature to confirm it was captured correctly (example search shown).

Step 4: Generate the word‑cloud

Using the collected signatures, the script builds a word‑cloud. The key parts of the code involve loading a white background image (e.g., a Luffy silhouette) and a suitable font.

Make sure to use a white background image for better visual effect.

Step 5: Run the program and authorize

When the script starts, it displays a QR code for WeChat login. Scan it with your phone to authorize the session.

Step 6: View the final word‑cloud

After execution, a colorful word‑cloud appears, highlighting frequent terms such as "life", "effort", "time", and "we" that reflect the optimistic attitudes of the friends.

The resulting visualization provides a quick insight into the common themes present in the collected WeChat signatures.