Social media usage rates have skyrocketed in the past 10 years. Almost everyone who uses a smartphone regularly uses at least 1 social media platform. Of course, these platforms also compete with each other to be the most used platform. Every day, new social media platforms are included in this competition.
BeReal, which has managed to stand out among these new platforms in a short time, is gaining the appreciation of more and more users every day. In fact, one of the most basic features of the platform was ‘stolen’ by Instagram recently and it turned out that it will be added to Meta’s criticized platform. Let’s take a look at what makes BeReal different from other social media.
You can watch the video where we review the BeReal application:
“Just be yourself!”
Although BeReal is basically a very simple social media application, it manages to attract attention thanks to the strong idea behind it. It is a platform that adopts Mevlana’s idea of “Come, come, come again, whatever you are” and aims to allow users to take photos where they will appear as they are. There are no effects, filters or edits on the platform. This platform, which you can register using only a phone number, does not allow you to share dozens of photos in a day like its derivatives.
The application sends you a notification once a day, at completely random times, and you can take a photo within 2 minutes of receiving this notification and share it only with your friends or in the explore section of the application. Of course, you do not have a chance to edit this photo or apply effects. In addition, if you do not share in the application, you cannot see other users’ posts. This situation encourages you to actively share in the application.
Front-to-back photography:
The photo taking part in the application works quite simply. When you open the camera, you see a shutter button and a flash button. As soon as you touch the shutter button, first a photo is taken with the rear camera, and after a few seconds a second photo is taken with the front camera and automatically placed in the upper left corner. Afterwards, the platform asks if you want to share the photo with your friends or in the explore section. After you make your choice, you share it.
When we look at the Explore section, you can see the photos shared by users from all over the world. These photos, which are shared completely unfiltered, allow us to see the ‘real states’ of the users. You can also leave an unusual expression on users’ posts.
Create your own emoji.
In the application, you can respond to the photos of other users with a total of 5 emojis. However, another feature that distinguishes the application from others comes into play here. When you want to react with an emoji, you need to take a photo suitable for the emoji you choose and use this photo instead of that emoji. So you kind of make yourself an emoji.
With this emoji system called RealMoji, you can use the emojis you create while reacting to all posts. When you get bored with the existing emoji, you can delete this emoji by holding it down and add a new RealMoji instead.
Your memories will be video.
Another remarkable feature of the platform is that it processes and stores your posts in a calendar, similar to the “Archive” section on Instagram. These posts, which are kept unless you delete them, are compiled by the platform monthly and annually, and you can save this compilation and share it both on BeReal and other social media platforms.
The profile part of the platform, which has an extremely simple design, is just as simple. You cannot link any of your social media accounts to the platform where you only add a profile picture, your location and a short bio.
Could it be the Instagram of the future?
Although the application was made available for the first time in 2020, it has become very popular in the past months. Just like Snapchat and TikTok, a unique feature of the fast-developing application was ‘scraped’ by Instagram, so to speak. All this and the app’s “share yourself as you are” motto is enough for it to stand out among social media platforms full of filters and effects today. This social media platform, which has exceeded 1 million downloads on both the Google Play Store and the App Store, is at a level that can rival platforms such as Snapchat and then Instagram and Facebook in a short time.
Editor’s comment:
BeReal, which offers a new and original experience for users who only want to share photos, after Insatgram’s becoming TikTok and Snapchat started to lose its popularity, seems to be mentioned frequently until the end of 2022. However, after Instagram stole its feature, the application, which is at risk of being buried in the dusty shelves of history just like Snapchat, should take its steps carefully and offer more unique features with the right moves. For those who don’t know, Instagram took Snapchat’s popular stories feature and incorporated it, which caused the majority of Snapchat users to leave the platform.
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