BeReal is an innovative social media platform launched in 2020 by Frenchmen Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau. The app stands out for its unique approach to content sharing, promoting authenticity and spontaneity.
Operation
The key concept of BeReal is sharing an authentic moment of the user’s day:
- Once a day, at a random time, all users simultaneously receive a “Time to BeReal” notification.
- Users have 2 minutes to take and post a picture of what they are doing at that moment.
- The app uses both the front and rear cameras, simultaneously capturing the user and their surroundings.
Key Features
BeReal differs from other social media for several reasons:
- No filters or photo editing capabilities
- Absence of follower count, likes or hashtags
- Reactions through “RealMoji,” selfies that mimic the expressions of traditional emoji
- Ability to see others’ posts only after publishing your own
- Archive of previous posts visible only to the user, like a personal diary.
Impact and popularity
BeReal quickly gained popularity, especially among Generation Z:
- In 2022, the app saw a 315% increase in downloads
- As of January 2024, it had 23 million daily active users
- It was named “App of the Year” by Apple in 2022.
Privacy and security considerations
Although BeReal promotes authenticity, there are some important considerations:
- The app is intended for users 13 years of age and older
- Users can interact with strangers through the “Discovery” section
- It is important to be aware of your surroundings when taking photos to avoid unintentionally sharing sensitive information.
BeReal represents an attempt to bring social media back to a more authentic and less curated dimension, counteracting the tendency toward aesthetic perfection and obsessive pursuit of popularity typical of other platforms.