BeReal is a popular and innovative social media platform that offes users a unique way to connect and share moments with their friends.
Since there are no fees, many people are curious about how BeReal makes money to sustain its operations, support growth, and keep the service free for users.
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What does BeReal do?
Founded in 2020 by Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau, BeReal is a one-of-a-kind social media platform designed to promote authentic communication among users.
BeReal is distinguished from the pack by its emphasis on genuine and unfiltered content, as users are encouraged to share a single, unedited photo each day with their friends at a random time.
The app has garnered significant attention by removing filters and opportunities to stage or edit photos and now has millions of users worldwide.
How does BeReal work?
BeReal users create a profile and add friends who can view and interact with the shared content. Every day — at a random time — the app sends a push notification prompting users to snap and share a picture with their friends within a two-minute window.
This approach encourages authentic and spontaneous connections, as users share unfiltered moments of their daily lives, unlike many social media platforms that reward highly-curated content.
How BeReal makes money
BeReal currently doesn’t make money, with private investors enabling the company to stay operational, hire employees, and grow.
That being said, its popularity as an app and substantial customer base is a good foundation for potential revenue-generating activities in the future.
Future growth engine
BeReal's authentic approach to content sharing has the potential to fuel its growth as more users seek genuine social media experiences.
To capitalize on this trend, the company can explore revenue-generating options like advertising, in-app purchases, brand partnerships, and data analytics.
Advertising
BeReal could introduce sponsored posts allowing businesses to promote their products or services to users. The fees for displaying these sponsored posts on the app’s feed could contribute to BeReal’s revenue stream.
In-app purchases
The company could also offer subscription-based, premium features such as a filter for posts based on location and interests, the option to change usernames, and the ability to see who viewed their profile.
Brand partnerships
BeReal can also generate revenue by partnering with other apps and websites in exchange for commissions.
Data analytics
Like any social media platform, BeReal’s business model is suitable for harvesting data generated by user interactions and selling these to businesses that want to optimize their marketing strategies by better understanding their target audiences.
All these options could create a diverse array of revenue sources and contribute to the company's long-term success.
Competitors
Some of BeReal's key competitors include:
- Snapchat. A messaging app popular with a younger demographic. Focuses on ephemeral content, offering BeReal-style spontaneity.
- Instagram. Culture-forming social media platform with a heavy emphasis on photo and video sharing. Known for its curated content aesthetic, which is antithetic to BeReal.
- TikTok. Influential and controversial. A short-form video-sharing app that has rapidly gained popularity, particularly among younger users.
