BeReal Social-Media App inspired Candid Challenges. Released in 2019, it’s a popular way to chronicle candid, “real” images of what people are doing, as opposed to contrived shots on the rip-off app.
BeReal’s website reads, “Everyday at a different time, everyone is notified to capture and share a Photo in 2 Minutes.” (Photo and minutes are capitalised.)
Paluzzi’s disclosure claims Candid Challenges is a direct duplicate of BeReal, down to the two-minute time limit and use of “everyday(Opens in a new window).”
Instagram claims Candid Challenges aren’t coming soon. Meta told PCMag, “This is an internal prototype, not a test.”
But. BeReal wasn’t the first app based on the concept; it’s just the most successful to date. Instagram could easily duplicate it.
Instagram has copied other apps, such Snapchat’s Stories and TikTok’s Reels. The latter flopped once the Kardashians objected.
More From Us:Gamescom 2022 Trailers
What’s BeReal?
BeReal, introduced in 2020, prompts users to post a snapshot of what they’re doing at a certain time each day.
Kévin Perreau and Alexis Barreyat founded the Social-Media App. Perreau was a project lead at French IT business Opteamis before BeReal. Barreyat was a GoPro videographer. According to Protocol, he became disillusioned by the relentless assault of immaculate photos on influencers’ accounts. In a LinkedIn article introducing BeReal, Barreyat said, “After getting tired of social media bullshit, I launched my own.” No likes, no followers, no ads, no filters, just my friends’ authentic posts.”
BeReal achieved popularity with young people in Europe and raised $36.6 million in June 2021. Gen Z in the US also loves it. 20 million to 29.5 million people have downloaded it, say app researchers.
BeReal’s workings
BeReal’s features promote authenticity. A two-minute countdown clock limits how much people can mess with their hair or take many selfies to achieve the correct perspective. BeReal encourages selfies. The app uses the front and rear cameras simultaneously, so there’s no hiding an untidy bedroom or a sweaty forehead. BeReal prohibits photo filters and modification.
Only after you upload can you see your friends’ photographs on a daily-erasing feed, making it impossible to create the perfect pastel grids that boost influencer status.
About 80% of the photographs I’ve taken on BeReal involve me with my dog at my apartment, doing activities I’d never share online: Google doc, frozen yoghurt, witch-army TV show. I rarely wear makeup. “It’s time to BeReal” notifications often arrive after I’ve showered. These photographs make it look like I never leave the house or dry my hair, but I do both almost every day. I don’t care what my 10 app buddies think of my images because everyone else’s are boring. BeReal isn’t about impressing others.
Leave a Reply