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 does BeReal mean in digital marketing?
BeReal refers to the concept described in this glossary entry: Definition: BeReal is a French social network created in 2020 by developer Alexis Barreyat. 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. It gives teams a shared vocabulary for analysing digital projects.
When should teams pay attention to BeReal?
Teams should review BeReal when it affects acquisition, measurement, user experience, content, automation or campaign performance. The important step is to connect the definition with a real decision.
How is BeReal used in a digital strategy?
BeReal is used by translating the concept into practical checks: where it appears in the funnel, which data or channel is involved and whether it needs optimisation, monitoring or documentation.
What is a common mistake when interpreting BeReal?
A common mistake is using BeReal too broadly. It is better to verify the context, the tool or the metric involved before making strategic or technical conclusions.