After months of mad love, why do I want to uninstall BeReal

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In just a few months, BeReal has become the essential social network for those who want to be up to date. Popular with Generation Z, who find Instagram increasingly cheesy, BeReal is the polar opposite of the social networks that we know well and promises an authenticity that we are no longer used to.

Seduced by the concept of BeReal, it is with great regret that I realize the obvious: for several months, nothing has been going well between the French social network and me. The takeover of BeReal by Voodoo a few weeks ago is the straw that broke the camel’s back in my eyes. Because it results in numerous transformations. Besides, this has already started. Maybe it's time for me to uninstall BeReal and put an end to this two-year romance.

BeReal is looking for itself, and lost me in the process

For those who do not know (or little) BeReal, this social network is very simple to understand. In this era of hyperconnection, the application promotes authenticity. It's all in the name of the social network: you have to be real. Every day, at a random time of the day, users receive a notification. They then have two minutes to publish a photo taken with the rear camera and a photo captured by the front camera almost simultaneously. The idea is to show what we are doing, without artifice or other fuss. BeReal is therefore far from social networks like Instagram where everyone manipulates their reality to their advantage. It is, of course, possible to publish late, but this goes beyond the very principle of the application.

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This breath of fresh air instantly convinced me. The social network shakes up the established codes and forces you to be spontaneous, which can be very beneficial for the relationship with the image of users. Where other social networks hammered home to us that we were only beautiful and presentable under certain angles and filters, BeReal invites us to accept ourselves without detours.

Beyond these benefits, BeReal is also a good way to maintain the connection with our loved ones. For those who have a little trouble with messages, it's ideal. Today's BeReal is an opportunity to know a little about what's going on in your friends' lives, to be surprised or to laugh about it through reactions or comments. The social network also promises a considerably reduced usage time compared to TikTok or Instagram. Its DNA is simply not compatible with binge-scrolling and that's all the better. So it is impossible to waste more than a quarter of an hour on BeReal, unless you have a looooong list of friends and want to react to each one's BeReal.

But BeReal is far from perfect and the question of monetization hung over users' heads. It was impossible to turn a blind eye… For several years, the social network did not generate a single cent. But like everyone else, BeReal employees have to eat well and they certainly have to answer to investors. This situation could not last.

Except that after months of uncontested popularity, some users gradually abandoned the social network and BeReal noticed the first signs of decline. How to win back their hearts and seduce other Internet users ? With new features ! And that's where the trouble begins.

First, there was the arrival of “BeReal bonuses”. To congratulate users who are on time, BeReal allows them to post not one, but three BeReals during the day, with the two additional posts being able to be taken and posted at any time. Why not… In the same vein, you can now create groups with certain users. This allows you to publish a daily group BeReal, and return to the application again. It's not such a bad idea, but we already feel that BeReal is slowly (but surely) turning its back on what makes up its very essence. Because more BeReals also, and above all, means more time spent on the social network.

At the start of the year, BeReal had already given up on all its convictions. A few years ago, the social network did not hesitate to kindly put rapper Wiz Khalifa in his place by reminding him that “the power of BeReal comes from the proximity of [our] connections, not from the quantity” and which should therefore be prioritized the social network for his close friends. However, since April, certified accounts have appeared on BeReal. It is now possible to follow celebrities like Gabriel Attal, or brands like Netflix. As a loyal user since July 2022, this new feature represented the beginning of the end for BeReal. However, the application continues to blithely disappoint me.

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Also read – With its new functionality, BeReal loses all its interest

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A redemption that can kill BeReal?

A few weeks ago, the unicorn Voodoo bought BeReal for $500 million. And when you are bought for such a sum, you have to be profitable. This is logical, but it is also hardly compatible with the concept of the social network. We suspected it. This has been confirmed. It is now being implemented little by little: advertising is arriving on BeReal.

After two years of using BeReal daily, I noticed (not without a hint of despair) that ads were creeping in here and there when I was scrolling to discover my friends’ posts. At first, BeReal was wise: the social network promoted itself and invited us to follow its official BeReal account. The next day, it was the Trainline transport app that was in the spotlight. A few days later, BeReal did not fail to let us know that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 were benefiting from a tempting pre-order offer. We are not talking about an ad here from time to time, but rather an avalanche of ads, every two posts.

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© Lemon squeezer

Unfortunately, we have to face the facts: the BeReal that we knew is disappearing a little more every day. Voodoo has many ambitious projects for the social network, even if it means forgetting its inherent concept. However, it is very risky. In fact, it makes or breaks.

BeReal has been in decline for several months. The numbers speak for themselves. The number of monthly downloads of the application is decreasing and users are less and less present for the daily meeting. As a user for a while, I also realize that many friends are less loyal than before. I myself feel a certain weariness. The flame is gradually extinguished and the new products from BeReal could well be the final blow. Instead of rekindling our interest, it could be quite the opposite. If I am particularly disappointed with the direction taken by the application, I am far from being the only one. On social networks, users do not hesitate to share their opinion and it is unanimous and far from positive: “It’s become too bad”, “I’m fed up with BeReal advertising”, “It’s really starting to bore me”, < em>“but you are not ashamed BeReal ?”.

It is difficult to contradict these Internet users. While the application is already losing momentum, this drastic change could well sign its death warrant. Faced with BeReal's initial promise, we are witnessing a real divide with users. For my part, I know that this is too much disappointment. If the ads become more and more present (and oppressive) than at present, I might well uninstall BeReal. Reluctantly.

For two years, I was faithful to the daily meeting imposed by BeReal. I converted my friends, as a true ambassador of the application. I published tirelessly: more than 700 BeReals and as many memories! I scrutinized what my loved ones were doing, yes, I zoomed in on your screens shamelessly. I've also had to pick up my BeReal more times than I'd like to admit. But today, things are going less and less well with the social network. Especially since the bugs are increasing. Everything goes from bad to worse.

Other new developments may well accelerate my decision in the coming weeks. Indeed, the social network should unveil its share of new features, such as sending live videos and internal messaging. All that remains to be seen is whether they could resurrect BeReal… Or bury the social network permanently in the hearts of diehard users.

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