Definition:
Periscope was a live video mobile app available for Android and iOS that allowed users to instantly broadcast what was happening around them for anyone who wanted to watch. It was owned by Twitter and developed in February 2014 by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein, launching a year later. However, Periscope was shut down by Twitter in March 2021. Although there are currently other tools on social networks to publish streaming videos, such as Facebook Live or Instagram Live, Periscope came to have a fairly widespread use and was common in the media during its operation.
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How Periscope worked
To start using Periscope, users had to download the application and validate with their Twitter account. It worked in a similar way to the microblogging social network. Once registered, it showed Twitter contacts who were also using this tool and allowed them to follow others to create a network of contacts.
Hearts and notifications were two key elements of the tool’s broadcasts. The hearts functioned in a similar way to the ‘likes’ on other social networks, such as Instagram. The difference was that Periscope ‘presenters’ could receive more than one heart from the same viewer in a single video.
Periscope Features
Periscope offered several valuable functionalities to attract a target audience through images, as long as they worked on quality videos, planned in advance and conveyed a sense of naturalness.
- Periscope Producer: This was an option that allowed recording with professional cameras and devices other than smartphones. In this way, and by means of software such as OBS Studio, it was possible to create polished videos, with effects and texts included.
- Superfans: These were the users who interacted the most with the presenters by giving hearts, sharing, commenting, etc. Each presenter could have a maximum of ten superfans.
- VIP Program: It was a program that rewarded presenters who frequently broadcasted good videos. There were three categories (gold, silver and bronze) and belonging to each of them granted a series of benefits.
Although Periscope is no longer available, its legacy and features influenced the evolution of live streaming on today’s social media platforms.
Current status of Periscope
Currently, Periscope should be understood as a historical tool. The standalone app was discontinued by Twitter in March 2021 and its live video functionality was absorbed into live broadcasting features on Twitter, later X, and into alternatives such as Instagram Live, TikTok Live, YouTube Live and Twitch.
Therefore, Periscope is useful as a reference in the evolution of social live streaming, but it should not be presented as an active platform for current campaigns.
Frequently asked questions about Periscope
What is Periscope?
Definition: Periscope was a live video mobile app available for Android and iOS that allowed users to instantly broadcast what was happening around them for anyone who wanted to watch. It was owned by Twitter and developed in February 2014 by Kayvon Beykpour and Joe Bernstein , launching a year later. In the Arimetrics glossary it is placed in a digital marketing context to clarify its role, uses and practical implications.
What is Periscope used for in digital marketing?
It is used to better analyse an action, tool, channel or behaviour related to acquisition, measurement, communication, sales or user experience. Its value depends on applying it to a concrete decision.
How is Periscope related to a digital strategy?
It is related to digital strategy when it affects objectives, data, content, technology, campaigns or conversion processes. That is why it should be reviewed together with the business context, not as an isolated term.
What should be considered when working with Periscope?
It is advisable to review its definition, context, associated metrics, limitations and possible risks. It is also useful to validate whether the concept has a real impact on performance, user experience or decision-making.