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 does Periscope mean in digital marketing?
Periscope refers to the concept described in this glossary entry: 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. However, Periscope was shut down by Twitter in March 2021. It gives teams a shared vocabulary for analysing digital projects.
When should teams pay attention to Periscope?
Teams should review Periscope 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 Periscope used in a digital strategy?
Periscope 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 Periscope?
A common mistake is using Periscope too broadly. It is better to verify the context, the tool or the metric involved before making strategic or technical conclusions.