The Rise of BeReal
When your phone buzzes and you look down at the “⚠️Time to BeReal. ⚠️” notification, it seems as though everyone around you grabs their phones to let their friends know what they’re doing right then and there. Almost out of nowhere, pretty much everyone is talking about BeReal. It has skyrocketed in popularity over the last few months and has had more than 22.8 million downloads, making it the most downloaded app in the U.S app store.
Its creators, Kevin Perreau and Alexis Barreyat, designed the BeReal app to make something authentic, as other social media platforms have become so curated and fake. BeReal pushes its users to share moments that aren’t typically shared on other apps such as Instagram or Facebook. Whether you’re having a blast at a festival, out for lunch with friends, or sitting in front of the TV eating a bag of chips, BeReal encourages you to share whatever you’re doing, no matter how mundane it may be.
What Is BeReal? How Does It Work?
Once you receive the notification, you have 2 minutes to upload a post. You can upload late, but everyone will know if you do and how late you are. The app takes two photos, one from the front camera and one from the back, which is a unique feature that other apps are likely to start utilising. Users are only able to view their friends’ posts once they upload a BeReal themselves. You can react to other posts with a selfie reaction, instead of simply liking images, further increasing the authenticity of the app.
Why Has the App Become So Popular?
The app has likely taken off due to the younger generation's desire for something more real, without all the filters and retouching commonly seen on other apps. It is a low-effort, fun way to interact with your friends each day. BeReal is designed for users to connect with people they actually know and remove the pressure of having a perfectly curated feed and aesthetic posts. You can post what you are honestly doing each day to show a more real, authentic version of yourself online.
What Does the Future of BeReal Look Like?
Currently, BeReal does not have any advertising on the app. However, it is likely that with more growth, the platform will develop some kind of advertising for companies to start getting involved. If the platform can continue to hold its grasp on Gen Z and keep them engaged, BeReal has the potential to stick around for a long time.
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