The online world is ever-changing and expanding at a rapid pace. While the first website was launched in August 1991, today, more than 30 years later, there are over 1.13 billion websites on the world wide web, with a new website popping up every three seconds [Forbes Website Statistics 2023].
Staggering, right?
With trends changing in a matter of weeks or months, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the game.
That’s why I want to introduce you to BeReal, a new photo-sharing app that’s shaking up the social media scene and causing a sensation. In this article, we’ll delve into how BeReal works, analyze its user demographics, and explore the most impactful emotions that come with using the app.
So buckle up, and let’s explore the insights on BeReal together!
What is the BeReal App?
In a world where social media trends encourage people to curate a false online image, BeReal takes the opposite approach.
The BeReal was aimed to bring authenticity back to friendships and relationships. This innovative photo-sharing app encourages people to capture random moments of their day without any posing or filters. This approach allows users to share genuine and unscripted experiences with their friends and family, fostering more meaningful connections.
This unique idea has gained a lot of popularity, with a PhotoAiD study indicating that 88% of the app’s 20 million daily active users open it every day, and 77% take a BeReal photo daily.
The BeReal app is available for free, making it accessible to everyone who wishes to share their genuine, unfiltered moments with their friends and loved ones.
How Does BeReal Work?
The BeReal app is designed to be simple and fun to use.
Once a day, users receive a notification prompting them to take a picture of what they are doing at the moment. Actually, the notification is a strong point of the app, with most users finding it helpful, motivating, and encouraging, according to the PhotoAid study. Back to the topic, users capture the moment by taking two pictures: with front-facing and rear-facing cameras.
Don’t stress if you make a mistake; you can take up countless shots to get it right. On average, 43% of users retake their photo three to four times before posting during the two-minute countdown.
If users are not able to take the picture within this time frame, it gets the ‘late’ status. Posting ‘lates’ still makes sense because only after publishing your own images do you gain unlocked access to your friends’ photos and can leave comments and reactions (including emojis made from your selfies). Also, it gives you access to view public photos from users worldwide.
Your post is live until the next BeReal notification – but you don’t lose it afterward. The app keeps all photos saved in a calendar, making it a private album of past random moments in life.
At What Time will BeReal be Today?
Many users try to solve the puzzle of the BeReal algorithm – but the app’s notification time is shrouded in mystery.
The app’s server is divided into four time zones: the US, Europe, West Asia, and East Asia, and notifications are released at different times within each zone. Despite many users’ attempts to find a pattern, the notification time remains unpredictable and random. Some have even claimed that the app’s creator launches notifications whenever he’s doing something fun during his day!
The only certainty is that notifications are sent during the user’s awake hours, from 9 am to 11 pm in their time zone.
The app’s unpredictability is its main disadvantage, as it can make people prone to FOMO (fear of missing out). In fact, 68% of PhotoAiD’s survey takers experience FOMO on BeReal, and 35% say it’s more intense than on other social media.
What is BeReal Age Limit?
By the app’s terms of service, BeReal is only for people 13 and older.
At first glance, it appears to be a relatively safe app for children, as it does not put pressure on them to become influencers or shape their image, and its limited content prevents endless scrolling. However, the app is still time-consuming, with people spending between 20 and 40 minutes daily on it. Moreover, as previously mentioned, the FOMO effect is powerful on BeReal.
Privacy is also a concern, and children may not be fully aware of the impact their online activity can have on their reputation. Also, it’s recommended to use BeReal in private mode and avoid sharing personal information and location data to ensure safety and privacy.
Overall, parents should carefully consider the pros and cons of allowing their children to use BeReal.
Is BeReal Good for Advertising Brands?
If you’re thinking about advertising your brand on BeReal, there are a few things you need to know.
First off, the app’s guidelines currently prevent any overtly branded content from being featured. However, BeReal may be an excellent platform for brands to tap into their customers’ experiences more subtly and effectively. With its emphasis on real-life moments, this new photo-sharing app could be the perfect platform to showcase how your brand fits into people’s lives in a natural and authentic way.
Just be sure to keep it subtle and aligned with BeReal’s values. Otherwise, you risk turning off the very users you’re trying to reach.
Final Thoughts: Are Users Real on BeReal?
As BeReal continues to grow in popularity, the question is whether users are *really* keeping it authentic as the app intends.
The PhotoAiD study revealed that 82% of Americans admitted waiting for an exciting moment to take a photo for BeReal. Also, an average of 43% of users retook their photos multiple times. So, it’s clear that some users are more focused on crafting the perfect image rather than capturing their real-life experiences.
Authenticity is not always the top priority. But is that a bad thing?
I believe that it’s simply human nature to want to present our best selves to the world. BeReal provides an outlet for users to showcase the exciting moments of their lives and connect with others. It’s a reminder that social media doesn’t have to be about perfection – it can be a way to share the highs and lows of everyday life.
So, while not every BeReal post may be entirely authentic, the platform still serves a valuable purpose. It helps users stay connected and share the moments that matter most, whether they’re exciting or mundane.
