Weekly Prompt: BeReal welcomes brands and celebs and other news

BeReal is welcoming brands and celebrities to the app

BeReal, the unapologetically unglamorous social media platform, is introducing features to attract brands and celebrities and boost engagement.

Starting 6^th February, BeReal is inviting brands and celebrities to join under the official titles of "RealBrands" or "RealPeople." This expands on BeReal's RealPeople feed, which was initially tested since May last year. It aims to showcase celebrities as relatable individuals with unfiltered, unedited, and unscripted moments.

Launched in 2020 as the "anti-Instagram app," BeReal encourages users to post one unfiltered daily glimpse into their lives, fostering a more realistic representation of self. With around 25 million daily active users, BeReal, especially popular among U.S. teens, has seen an increase from 20 million last August but remains notably below its reported peak of 73 million users.

BeReal encourages brands and celebrities to share behind-the-scenes content not typically seen on other social platforms, reinforcing its commitment to authenticity. Users can engage with this content by becoming "RealFans," enabling them to tag and potentially have their posts reshared by the brands and celebrities.

While BeReal emphasizes that its focus will always be on friends and close connections, the inclusion of brands and celebrities prompts speculation about the platform's exploration of revenue avenues, possibly through ads. However, BeReal assures users that the introduction of RealBrands and RealPeople will not compromise its mission. The application process for a RealBrand or RealPeople account is selective, outlined within the BeReal app.

Following the February 6 launch, the company plans to continuously add RealPeople to the app. A survey will allow the public to suggest who they'd like to see on the platform.

Sources: MediaPost, Social Media Today, Zdnet

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