A new wave of social media apps is becoming increasingly popular among young people who want to get back to socializing with friends rather than creating content for the world.
BeReal is at the center of this change. BeReal is a photo-sharing app designed to show a user a snapshot of what she’s doing at a certain point in her day.
But how did such a simple idea for social media become a modern must-have app?
――So, what is BeReal?
Created in 2019, BeReal is a photo-based social media app that prompts users to take a photo simultaneously with the front and back cameras once a day at a random time within two minutes.
The idea is to show users and their surroundings at that exact moment, regardless of how unattractive a place might be or what they themselves might look like, making them more authentic online as a result.
– How does it work?
Users will receive a notification once a day telling them it’s time to take a photo and share it with their friends. She has 2 minutes to take a picture.
Upon opening the app, users are encouraged to take a picture of what’s in front of them at that moment. At the same time, the app also takes a selfie and combines the two images to create a BeReal post that he posts with the user. You can also add a short caption.
These can be shared just with the user’s friends or more broadly in the app’s discovery section.
Users can take pictures outside of the 2 minute window if they wish, but the point is, they can’t see their friends’ content until they post something themselves.
――Why did you become popular?
Many social media users seem tired of the attention-grabbing, influencer-style content that has taken over platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Some argue that many of the biggest platforms are no longer just places to connect with friends, but spaces to promote personal brands or those who want to become online influencers.
Many people are frustrated that the algorithm settings in these apps mean they are more likely to see random videos from content creators than the latest posts from friends.
Last month, many prominent Instagram users, including Kim Kardashian, shared messages asking the app to “stop trying to be TikTok.” friend.
Instagram has since opposed that change.
Apps like BeReal try to capitalize on that frustration, claiming they are more focused on authenticity than virality. .
The app is also running a campaign to reach college students by promoting paid ambassadors to promote the app on campus and drive more sign-ups among young people.
――Are there any other reasons for the rise in popularity?
Numerous studies have shown that young people can be negatively impacted by what they see on social media, especially body image issues, and that other content deemed popular on such sites I feel the pressure to do things a certain way or to look a certain way. .
The rise of apps like BeReal suggests that many are looking for simpler, more personal ways to connect with friends and places where those pressures are lessened.
