What is BeReal? The “Anti-Instagram” App Explained

Ever stopped yourself from posting a photo because it wasn’t “good enough”? We’ve all been there. You take a photo you genuinely like, but stop yourself just as you’re about to hit “Post” because it doesn’t fit your chosen platform’s aesthetic.

Many social media apps have invested in the idea of perfection, pushing users to use filters, create well-curated feeds, and time their posts for maximum engagement. Let’s be honest, while great, keeping up can be a little tiring.

Enter BeReal, one of the newest kids on the block. With BeReal, you don’t have to worry about which filters to use to look good or when to publish your post to boost engagement. In fact, you have little to no control over either, which might sound bad but is actually great.

So, what is BeReal? This guide takes an in-depth look at the social media app, exploring how it works, its key features, and why it may just be one of the best platforms.

What Is BeReal?

BeReal is a social media app designed to encourage authenticity. Released in 2020 by French developers Alexis Barreyat and Kevin Perreau, the app had a somewhat slow start but quickly gained traction. Today, it has an estimated 40 million users across Japan, Europe, and the U.S., 70% of whom are in the 18-27 age group.

Why is it so popular, especially among the younger generation? Simple: It gives you a near “Instagram-like” experience without the pressure of keeping up with aesthetics. The BeReal feed is a lot like Instagram’s, except it features images you’d most likely find in a friend group, rather than edited content.

Unlike most platforms, BeReal prioritizes simplicity, authenticity, and transparency over visual perfection. Further, it determines when you post. Here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:

1. The app sends you the notification, “Time to BeReal”: This notification comes once a day at a random time. The goal is to get users to share what they’re doing at that specific time to promote authenticity.
2. You get two minutes to take your photo: In line with its aim to help users share raw snapshots of their lives, BeReal gives you two minutes to take your content.
3. The app captures images from both your front and rear cameras simultaneously: The goal is to show not just yourself but also what you’re doing at the time of the notification.

4. You share your post: This happens after you’re done taking your photo. Here, you choose whether to share with friends only or everyone, and add a caption and location tag (optional). You can still publish your content after the two-minute timer has elapsed, but your post will have a tag indicating how late you were (e.g., 1 hour late). See what we said about maintaining authenticity and transparency?

Note: You can only see other users’ posts when you post your photo for the day.

Can You Retake or Delete a BeReal?

Sure. This might be as close as BeReal gets to other social media apps. You can retake your photo as many times as you want within the two-minute window by tapping the Retake button. You can also delete your post after it goes live by doing the following:

1. Scroll to the image you want to delete.
2. Click on the three small dots that’ll appear on your screen.
3. Select Options and delete your post.

However, the platform wouldn’t be BeReal without a couple of catches. The first? The app will let your audience know how many times you retook your photo. The second? You can only delete one BeReal post a day — in the spirit of maintaining authenticity.

Standout Features of BeReal

As mentioned earlier, BeReal is pretty unique when compared to platforms like Instagram. Here are some of its standout features:

• Random posting times: With BeReal, there’s no set posting schedule. The app will send you a notification to post at random times. This not only makes posts more authentic but also adds an air of excitement.
• Dual-camera posts: BeReal doesn’t just show your surrounding; it shows what you’re seeing and your reaction, making posts feel more personal.
• No likes: You won’t find like buttons as on other platforms. Instead, the app lets you react to posts using RealMojis — custom reactions created using your own face.
• Zero editing: With BeReal, your audience sees what you capture exactly how you capture it. Zero filters. No effects. No retouch. While it may seem scary, especially if you’re used to edit-driven platforms, this is part of the BeReal charm that helps foster authentic connections.

Pros and Cons of BeReal

Is BeReal worth considering? We’ll let you decide. Here’s a look at some of its pros and cons to help you:

Pros

• A focus on real moments: True to its name, BeReal pushes users to share everyday life instead of polished highlights.
• More authentic connections: When people show up as themselves, it becomes easier to build meaningful relationships.
• Less pressure to look perfect: With no filters, edits, likes, or follower counts, users can post without worrying about performance.
• Strong Gen Z appeal: BeReal is especially popular among Gen Z users. If they’re part of your target audience, the platform is an excellent place to meet them.

Cons

• Limited room for creativity: The app forces users to post raw content as is. This can be incredibly limiting for users who want to showcase their creativity.
• Unpredictable posting times: The random posting notifications may not always catch you at the best times. For example, you could get a notification when you’re in a meeting or when in class.
• Content can feel repetitive: BeReal is all about sharing what you’re up to. If you and your friends are up to the same things every day, it can feel monotonous.

Can Brands and Professional Content Creators Use BeReal?

It depends. At first glance, BeReal may not be the best place for brands or influencers. First, it doesn’t allow for polished content, exactly what brands and content creators post. Second, it doesn’t provide analytics, which are crucial for gauging campaigns’ performance.

However, if you play your cards right, BeReal might be exactly what you need to push your brand forward. It’s a great place to foster stronger connections with your target audience, as it lets you share raw, unfiltered content you wouldn’t on other platforms. You can share:

• Behind-the-scenes images
• Photos of customers enjoying your product or service (with their permission, of course)
• Unedited photos of yourself and your products

BeReal is also great for sharing limited-time offers and exclusive product, event, or brand sneak peeks. Like Instagram Stories and Snapchat, its posts expire from the main feed after 24 hours, creating a feel of exclusivity for people who encounter them.

Brands can also use BeReal for ads. With over 40 million users, the app can help you build awareness and boost conversions. However, it’s pretty specific about its ads. The platform expects all submissions to be authentic, showing actual products and experiences.

Ads should also use a front-back format to align with other BeReal posts. BeReal provides the following size guidelines for ad images, videos, and accompanying elements:

Front camera

• Resolution: 234*314 px
• Supported file types: MP4, PNG, JPG
• Max size: 1 MB (images) or 7 MB (videos)

Back camera

• Resolution: 768*1024 px
• Supported file types: MP4, PNG, JPG
• Max size: 1 MB (images) or 7 MB (videos)
• Length: 1 to 15 sec

Copy

• Headline (advertiser’s name): Maximum 20 characters
• Body text: Maximum 90 characters
• Call to action (CTA): Maximum 15 characters

Read more:

Instagram Size Guide: Image, Video, and Post Dimensions

The Ultimate TikTok Size Guide

Instagram Video Length: Limits and What Happens If You Exceed

Does BeReal Notify When You Take a Screenshot?

There is a lot of confusion around this, so let’s be precise: Yes, BeReal notifies users, but it does so silently.

Unlike Snapchat, BeReal does not send a push notification to the user’s lock screen immediately. You won’t get a buzz or a banner saying “User X took a screenshot.” Instead, the notification is strictly in-app.

Here is exactly how it works:

• The Indicator: If you screenshot a post, a small icon (usually a number like [1] or a shutter symbol) appears next to the photo details on the poster’s screen.
• Android vs. iOS:
  • On Android: The poster can simply tap the icon to see a list of names immediately.
  • On iOS: BeReal often “gates” this information. The poster may be required to share their BeReal to another platform (like Instagram or Messages) to “unlock” and reveal the identity of the person who took the screenshot.
• Technical Limitations: It is important to note that while BeReal detects standard screenshots, it is not foolproof. Users have reported that screen recordings or taking screenshots from the “app switcher” view can sometimes bypass detection. So, never assume your content is 100% private.

Try BeReal Today

What is BeReal really? BeReal is a social media app that encourages users to post authentic photos of themselves and their day-to-day experiences. If you’re looking for a low-effort platform that can help you build a deeper connection with your community, it might be the app for you.

Want to learn about more apps and how to consistently grow your social media presence? Keep up with GeeLark.

GeeLark not only shares the latest social media updates but also offers tools to help you grow. The cloud phone provider can help you isolate multiple accounts, automate new account warm-ups, streamline your editing processes, and automate post publishing across multiple social media platforms, including Instagram, Threads, X (formerly Twitter), Pinterest, and more.

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