BeReal — The Social Media App That Highlights the Banality

Are you a social media enthusiast? You must have come across ‘social media app banality’. 

Social media app banality of life is a current phenomenon or trend circulating on the internet. In this, instead of curating content with insta-worthy interiors and backgrounds, people show their raw selves to communicate and exchange ideas and experiences. And guess what? BeReal, a social media app that highlights the banality of everyday life, has recently grown in popularity.  

So, if you’re curious to explore this new platform, read this comprehensive review till the end to learn more. 

What is BeReal?

BeReal is a French Messaging app that allows users to share photos of daily life with their friends for a two-minute window every day. This app was developed by Alexis Barreyat, a former employee of GoPro, and Kévin Perreau, a graduate of 42 in Paris, with a vision to create a safe space to foster meaningful relationships among the users. The app was originally launched in 2020 and started gaining traction in 2022 with approximately 2.93 million active users. 

The app came out as a breath of fresh air in the overcrowded market where people were only showcasing their best lives and is believed to be the next big hit. BeReal has been named GenZ’s favourite social media app for highlighting authenticity and providing a unique digital experience.  The app is available on both the App Store and the Google Play Store.

News: On July 25, 2022, BeReal charted #1 on Apple’s free app list in the iOS App Store, and remained there until September 2022. It also received Apple’s iPhone App of the Year in 2022

https://twitter.com/AppStore/status/1597651741591453697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

How Does BeReal Work?

Users living in the same timezone get a notification at a random time of each day. When you receive the prompt, you get two minutes to take the photo in that instant and share it on the platform. Note that the pictures shared are unedited and unfiltered. 

If by any chance you miss the 2-minute timer, your post will pop up as late. Plus, the viewers can see how many times you retook the pictures. 

You can select whether to post your BeReal discreetly, simply for your friends, or publicly for all BeReal users worldwide to see. Once you’ve published your BeReal for the day, you can view selfies of other users in both your private and public feeds. The best part is that you can like, comment, and even send a ‘RealMoji’, which is a selfie that matches an emoji.

Key Features of BeReal 

BeReal works on a simple motto: embracing the mundane and ordinary. Unlike other social media platforms that showcase the idealised representation of life, this app encourages users to share authentic moments from daily life. Here’s what makes BeReal stand out from others:

Sharing Authentic Photos 

The users of the platform are notified to share original, unedited content showcasing everyday lives. No matter whether you are sitting in a pool, lounging on your sofa, or doing a chore, you just have to capture and share the moment instantly. This way you showcase your real self and get to know others without any filters. 

Real-Time Notifications and Updates 

Unlike other social media platforms where you click, edit, and post pictures whenever you like, this app gives a sense of spontaneity and urgency. The app sends a notification, and that is the only time you can capture and share a snapshot of your life. 

Clean and Minimal Design 

What we love most about this app is its clean interface and structured design. The minimal filters act as an embellishment and allow the content to speak for itself without distractions. 

Strong Community 

BeReal is the only social media app that highlights the banality of life and is committed to building a community where there is no judgement. It envisions the users to communicate with each other authentically through likes, comments, and direct messages to appreciate the beauty of life.  

Discovering Beauty in Imperfections 

As the platform challenges the notion of perfect representation, it urges the users to find beauty in simple things, and embrace their imperfections rather than creating an ideal image. 

So this is how BeReal beats the mainstream social media and celebrates the banality of life. 

What Makes BeReal Unique?

BeReal distinguishes itself from other social media platforms by championing authenticity. As you know, you can only see the glamorised versions of life on Instagram, Twitter, and other platforms, this app is all about the realistic portrayal of the human experience. 

One of the notable contributions of this app is the cultivation of a strong community of like-minded people. Here, you can find and interact with other users who believe in originality. 

In essence, this social app’s unwavering commitment to originality and focus on building genuine connections positions it as a unique and refreshing alternative in the realm of social media. 

BeReal Statistics  

According to Business of Apps, BeReal has recorded 23 million active users in January 2024 and is most popular in the US, UK, and Germany. Plus, the app has been downloaded more than 100 million times since 2022. 

• Age Demographics (Recorded till 2022)

  Age	Percentage
  16-25 26-44 45+	43.2 55.1 1.7

• Gender Demographics (Recorded till 2022)

  Gender	Percentage
  Male  Female	42 58

• Downloads by Countries (Recorded till March 2023)

  Countries	Downloads in millions
  United States United Kingdom Germany France  Italy  Spain  Brazil Australia	33.3 10.3 6.1 5.9 5.8 4.6 3.6 3.5

Downsides of BeReal App

This app offers a refreshing take by emphasising authenticity and celebrating the mundane. However, some downsides need to be noted and improved. Let us talk about the missing points here:

• No Chance of Monetizing Content: As more and more people are hopping onto the trend and earning money through Instagram collab posts on their social profiles, you can not do so with BeReal. This app is more sort of building a personal connection where you can give a real sneak-peak of your life. 
• Risk of Oversharing: Users must always consider the line between sharing moments and oversharing personal details. The app must take steps to exercise discretion to maintain the boundaries and contribute to social media privacy.
• Moderation Challenges: Just like other social media platforms, BeReal struggles with content moderation. The app must make some effort to develop effective moderation practices to create a hate-free zone.   
• Less Appealing: The spark of sharing pictures immediately can fade after some time. Thus, the app must come up with new features to keep users engaged and hooked to the platform. 

While this app is known to be unique compared to traditional social media, it’s important to consider these weaknesses when evaluating its suitability for regular users. 

Wrapping Up! 

BeReal has redefined the social media app banality of life by promoting authenticity and celebrating real and raw moments. Though it gives relief from the world of polished and curated content, it faces certain challenges like moderation issues, engagement concerns, and privacy. However, we love using this app to connect with our team and family. 

As social media continues to evolve, we believe BeReal will stand as a testament to the force of embracing life’s banality and finding beauty in simplicity.

So this was all about the platform and the banality of social media apps. We hope this article has given all the necessary information you were looking for. Please do share with other social media users as well to make them aware!