BeReal, part of the new social media apps that found an opportunity to exploit the lack of connection between Facebook and new users.
Currently, BeReal is the No 1 social networking app on iTunes within the USA and has grown rapidly, so far with 28m downloads this year.
Instagram have been focused on working on different types of tests and improvements trying to rivalise TikTok’s competition. An attempt that has even generated a plea from its biggest users like Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner whom shared last month:
“Instagram, please stop trying to be TikTok.”
This happened when Meta rolled out a trial on Instagram that flooded user’s feeds with “reels” and content uploaded by strangers, these short videos were an attempt to take Gen Z users away from TikTok, which have always been an entertainment app more than a social app. While Facebook seems to be losing its grip to TikTok and BeReal as well, this year alone it has dropped out of the top 10 App’s 59 times, a huge difference from dropping only 6 times before, this happened during the first half of 2021 which clearly shows how its failing to connect to new generations.
BeReal is capturing the need of users to facilitate meaningful connections with friends throughout the day without the pressure to become an influencer, perform or even grow a following. It’s a way to see what your friends are up to especially when apart.
The BeReal app asks users to take a simultaneous front and back camera photo every day at a specific time, within a two-minute window. Users can take it later but they can’t see their friend’s content until they post themselves, you cannot use filters either and according to the BeReal website you are only able to delete your post once a day after you’ve posted it on your feed. You can retake as many times as you like during the two-minute window but once you press post you can only delete and retake it once.
All these features try to ensure that the users take photos in their current moment no matter what the situation looks like, this tries to promote a more realistic connection between friends online, while it also seems to try to help users to reduce the amount of time spent on their posts by not allowing them to have multiple attempts.
Another cool feature it’s the “realmojis” which is basically the way you reply to posts, instead of an emoji or alike the app requires you to take a photo of your face within a template. You can also add captions, and there’s a comments section as well.
Are you ready to try to BeReal with your friends?
Download the BeReal app and try it yourself from your favourite device
