Pittsburgh: The famous green owl from Duolingo is gone, marking a major change for the language-learning app’s branding.
The Pittsburgh-based company announced the owl’s death in a social media post, shocking millions of users.
Duolingo’s statement humorously suggested the mascot might have died waiting for users to complete their lessons.
The announcement follows other corporate rebrands, including Twitter’s removal of its blue bird under Elon Musk’s ownership.
Duolingo’s owl, known as Duo, had become an internet sensation, often appearing in memes and viral content.
Viral Reaction
Duolingo’s post quickly gained traction, amassing over 47 million views by the next morning.
Users responded with humor, referencing Duo’s persistent lesson reminders and aggressive push notifications.
One user jokingly said, “Bro spent his last days begging me to learn French… and I ignored him.”
Another asked, “Do they suspect foul play?” hinting at a possible mystery surrounding Duo’s demise.
Duolingo followed up with, “In lieu of flowers, please do a Duolingo lesson,” encouraging users to keep learning.
New Branding
The company updated its social media profile with an image of the owl appearing lifeless.
X’s (formerly Twitter) profile picture now features Duo with crosses over his eyes and his tongue hanging out.
A cowboy hat-shaped logo has also appeared, hinting at a potential new branding direction.
Despite the rebrand, Duo remains active within the app, continuing to encourage users to practice.
The app icon now features the dead-looking owl, aligning with the company’s dramatic announcement.
History of Duo
Duolingo was founded in 2011 and has since gained millions of users worldwide.
Its fun, bite-sized lessons made it a top choice for learning new languages, especially during the pandemic.
The owl mascot became known for sending relentless reminders and playful threats to users who skipped lessons.
Duo’s humorous and sometimes aggressive tone helped the company build a strong social media presence.
The owl’s love for singer Dua Lipa was another running joke embraced by Duolingo’s marketing team.
Future of Duolingo
With Duo’s “death,” Duolingo may introduce a fresh mascot or a new marketing approach.
The cowboy hat in the new logo suggests a possible Western-themed rebrand.
Users are curious about what changes this will bring to the app’s experience and design.
Many speculate whether Duo’s “death” is temporary or just part of a marketing stunt.
For now, the owl may be gone, but Duolingo’s dedication to language learning remains strong.
