Definition:
BeReal is a French social network created in 2020 by developer Alexis Barreyat. The platform focuses on authenticity and spontaneity when sharing moments of its users’ day-to-day lives, as videos and images are shared without editing. After discreet beginnings, the platform quickly gained popularity since 2022 and became a mass phenomenon.
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How BeReal works
The way BeReal works is simple: every day, users receive a notification at a random time, telling them to take a photo. The photo consists of two images taken simultaneously: one with the front camera and one with the rear, showing what the user sees and how it looks at that moment. Users have two minutes to take the photo, with no editing options or filters. BeReal seeks to offer a social experience without the pressure of having perfect, edited images, allowing users to share authentic, unfiltered moments of their daily lives.
Origin and evolution of BeReal
BeReal was launched in January 2020 by Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau, two former students at Grenoble Business School in France.
The app emerged in response to growing dissatisfaction with traditional social networks, which often encourage the presentation of an idealized and artificial life.
Here are some of Bereal’s milestones in its evolution:
- 2021: Growth in Popularity.
The app is gaining traction, especially among young people and students, for its focus on authenticity. - 2022: New feed. Introduction of a feed to view friends’ posts and the option to share photos outside of notification time.
BeReal becomes a cultural phenomenon, standing out in media and conversations about authenticity in social networks. - 2023: Challenges and Future.
It faces the need to maintain user interest and competition from other platforms, while seeking to innovate without losing its essence.
How to use BeReal
To start using BeReal, follow these steps:
- Download the app: BeReal is available for Android and iOS devices. Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, search for “BeReal” and download the application.
- Create an account: When you open the app for the first time, you will be prompted to create an account. A phone number, full name, date of birth and username must be provided.
- Connect with friends: Once the account is created and logged in, you can sync your contacts to find friends in the app.
- Take the first BeReal: BeReal will ask to take a photo right after creating an account. You should click on the notification and take the first photo in two minutes.
- Add a caption and share: After taking the photo, you can add a caption and choose whether to share the photo with everyone or just friends. You must click “Submit” to publish.
- Explore content: Once the first BeReal has been shared, you can explore other photos in the discovery section. To interact with the posts, you can take reaction selfies or write a comment.
It is important to remember that BeReal will send a random notification each day to take a photo and share it with followers. The app uses the front and rear cameras of the device simultaneously, and does not allow photo editing. Spontaneity and authenticity are key on this platform.
Frequently asked questions about BeReal
What is BeReal?
BeReal is a social network based on spontaneous and simultaneous posts that aim to show everyday moments with less editing. Its proposal focuses on authenticity, limited posting frequency, and an experience less oriented toward produced content than other social platforms.
What does BeReal add to a marketing strategy?
BeReal can add closeness, informal content, and a perception of authenticity when it fits the brand's audience. It is not usually a main acquisition channel, but it can serve for community actions, employer branding, or communication of real team and product moments.
Is BeReal relevant for SEO?
BeReal does not have a relevant direct impact on SEO because its content does not work as a traditional indexable source. Its value may be indirect if it improves brand recognition, community engagement, or demand signals, but it does not replace optimized content or crawlable web assets.
What brands should consider BeReal?
Brands with young audiences, a close tone, and the ability to publish spontaneous content without relying on complex productions should consider it. Before investing resources, it is advisable to validate whether the target audience uses the platform and whether the format provides value compared with other social channels.