Everything you need to know about BeReal, the “for real” social network

Image: Getty Images/NurPhoto.

BeReal is a social network that claims to restore authenticity to its subscribers’ publications. As such, no filter, follower or possibility of preparing posts in advance on this application. The objective is to take instant photos and “be real”.

How does BeReal work?

Every day, people who have installed the app receive a notification at a random time saying “⚠️Time to BeReal⚠️”.

As soon as you receive the notification, you have two minutes to take a selfie and a photo of what you are doing at that moment.

If you choose to wait to post a photo until later in the day, such as when you look better or are doing something fun, all your friends will be able to see that you waited, which will cast doubt on your sincerity . Besides, where’s the fun if you wait?

What is BeReal’s audience?

BeReal launched in January 2020, but the app only skyrocketed in 2022, accumulating more than 56 million downloads over the course of the year, according to the Washington Post.

Despite its French origins, it is in the United States that it is most successful, although it is popular all over the world. BeReal reached first place in the ranking of the most downloaded applications on the Apple App Store in the United States in July 2022.

In January 2024, almost two years later, the social network has 23 million daily active users and still ranks 21^e place of the American Apple App Store.

How to register with BeReal?

To sign up for BeReal, simply go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, download the app and create an account.

What is BeReal’s objective?

BeReal encourages its users to post photos taken on the spot. Thus, the photos published and visible are not retouched, modified or manufactured to give an idealized and unrealistic image of a person.

If photos are taken correctly, they should accurately represent the daily life of their photographer.

Ideally, this social network wants to present scenes from everyday life, but without the fictional and glittery side.

When do we receive notifications from BeReal?

BeReal sends one notification per day to its users, at different and random times each day.

Upon receiving the notification, the person receiving it has two minutes to post their photo. After this deadline, the publication is labeled as late. Which means you’re not really real.

Until your photo has been posted, you also cannot access the BeReal feeds of your friends or friends of your friends. Another way to encourage you to post your photo as quickly as possible.

Image: BeReal.

How to publish on BeReal?

Posting a BeReal is very simple, with photos meant to be as authentic as possible: open the app, take a selfie with the front camera, then a photo of your surroundings with the back camera. back of your device.

If the photo doesn’t suit you, you have two minutes to take it again, as many times as you want until you get the one you like.

What to publish on BeReal?

On BeReal, you can only post photos with the two-box format, front and rear camera, when prompted. There is no option to post additional content, as this would reduce the “instant” feel of the app. You can also personalize your post by adding a caption and sharing your location.

You can also choose to share behind the scenes of your BeReal by capturing the seconds before your photo is taken. This way, a video will be created and displayed on your friends’ timeline when they long press on your photo (like a live photo). This feature is automatically enabled, but it can be disabled in settings.

How to get followers on BeReal?

There are no followers on BeReal. As on the first social networks – older ones may remember AIM – BeReal offers you the opportunity to have friends, not followers. Only your friends can see your posts.

This relative confidentiality allows you to get rid of a form of pressure linked to an obligation to take care of your public image, and restores the pleasure of only sharing content with your friends.

Is it possible to react to a publication on BeReal?

Yes, it is possible to react to messages… but always with a touch of authenticity. To react, you must click on an emoji and send a photo of yourself making the emoji’s expression. The person whose message you are reacting to will be able to see the photo of you reacting to their message.

If you have been tagged in a post, you can reshare it. There are some caveats, however. If you re-share a BeReal that was shared on time and you haven’t shared one yet, you get a bonus BeReal. However, if you re-share a BeReal that was published late, you will not be able to publish yours.

Are there stars and brands on BeReal?

When BeReal launched, there were no official accounts on the app.

However, BeReal announced “RealPeople” and “RealBrands” a few days ago, official accounts for celebrities and brands.

These accounts will arrive on February 6 on the application.

What happens to a published BeReal?

All your BeReals are archived so you can view them later. This archive functionality makes it one of the strengths of the application, which allows you to collect your daily messages. In your Memories, you will be able to see a calendar with your photos from each day you completed the task.

Image: Apple App Store/BeReal.

Should I download BeReal?

BeReal is perhaps the closest thing to an unvarnished social media experience. If you experience FOMO and constantly compare yourself to others, this app may be a good alternative for you. BeReal is a way to keep track of what your friends are doing while allowing you to document your daily life in an authentic way.

However, if you don’t want to commit to posting every day, this app may not be right for you.

Source: ZDNet.com